College gymnastics fans will likely find it hard to forget April 3 and 4 — two dates that brought chillingly similar heartbreaks to the sport. On April 3, all eyes were on Frankie Price, the redshirt junior and a trusted anchor on the floor for the Arkansas Razorbacks. A familiar face in high-pressure moments, she had danced, flipped, and tumbled her way into the hearts of fans over the seasons. But this time, something went terribly wrong.

As she launched into her first tumbling pass — a move she’d likely performed countless times — disaster struck. Price came down hard, both knees slamming into the floor. The arena went silent. It was clear from the moment she didn’t get up that this wasn’t just a minor tweak or stumble. Assistant coach Chris Brooks quickly rushed to her side and carried her off the mat. Later, head coach Jordyn Wieber confirmed what everyone feared: a lower-body injury had affected Price’s season — and potentially more. Just one day later, on April 4, déjà vu. This time, it was an NC State’s senior on the receiving end of a gymnastic’s worst nightmare.

On Friday, April 4, inside the electric James T. Valvano Arena at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum, the NC State Wolfpack were locked in a fierce postseason battle against Clemson University at the NCAA Alabama Regional. The outcome? A win for NC State — 196.275 to195.875 — a hard-earned triumph that should have sparked celebration. But the night ended on a pretty somber note.

It was senior Chloe Negrete — a crowd favorite and the heart of the Wolfpack — who anchored the floor exercise, her final pass of the evening, and perhaps, of her collegiate career. Known for her power and precision, Chloe began her routine with a strong double pike, but things took a sudden, painful turn. An under-rotation on one of her tumbling passes sent her crashing to the mat. Gasps filled the arena as she stayed down for a few moments, clutching her leg.

Coaches and medical staff rushed to her side. With visible discomfort, she was helped to her feet and supported off the floor — each step a struggle. But before disappearing down the tunnel, Chloe turned to the crowd and threw up the Wolfpack hand sign. That single gesture, full of grit and defiance, spoke volumes. It wasn’t just about her. It was about NC State. It was about finishing strong — no matter what.

In that emotional whirlwind, fans flooded social media, clinging to hope, heartbreak, and admiration. One post on X summed it up best: “CHLOE NEGRETE HERE TAKE MY LEGS.”A battle cry. A love letter. A plea. For now, questions remain. Will we see Chloe Negrete compete again? Or was this, tragically, her final salute? Whatever comes next, one thing is certain — her legacy is etched into the heart of Wolfpack gymnastics. How? Just four days before heartbreak struck, Chloe Negrete was making history — and not the kind that ends in silence and concern, but in applause, pride, and legacy.

On March 31, the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) announced something monumental: Chloe Negrete had earned All-America honors — becoming the first NC State gymnast in a decade to receive that recognition. A shining moment in a decorated career, it was a testament to her consistency, skill, and unshakable presence in the sport.

This season alone, Negrete has been nothing short of a powerhouse. She racked up a stunning 24 podium finishes, more than anyone else on the Wolfpack roster, and claimed 13 individual titles across events. Whether she was opening a meet or closing it as an anchor, Chloe brought the fire every single time.

And the accolades didn’t stop there. For the second year in a row, she earned a nomination for the prestigious AAI Award, given to the top senior gymnasts in the country — a symbol of excellence both on and off the mat. With 14 all-conference honors and nine all-conference championship nods in her career, she’s not just a standout — she’s a legend in red and white.

So when the senior gymnast raised her hand in that familiar Wolfpack sign while limping off the floor on April 4, fans knew exactly what it meant: This is a warrior. This is a leader. This is someone who’s already written her name in NC State history — and no injury can erase that. And right here, she has her fans to wish her well. 

The gymnastics fans come together to wish the Wolfpack legend well

“Gutted for @Chloe_Negrete. A Wolfpack legend.” These are just seven words, but a world of heartbreak packed into a single post. Because that’s exactly what Chloe Negrete is — a Wolfpack legend. Her name echoes in Reynolds Coliseum with the memory of 12 scores of 9.900 or higher, a beacon of consistency in a sport where perfection is rare. Fans still talk about the time she floated across the beam with a career-high 9.975 — not once, but twice — in 2025, showing the poise of a champion and the fire of a fighter. Then there was that electric floor routine against No. 23 Ohio State, where she delivered another 9.975, setting the crowd on fire. And who could forget her vault performance at the George Washington quad meet, sticking a career-best 9.900 that earned her Week 10 Gymnast of the Week honors?

Those weren’t just routines — they were moments. And that’s why fans are grieving not just an injury, but the sudden end of a chapter that deserved the biggest, boldest period — not a pause. Meanwhile, one fan captured the pain perfectly: “An injury on floor at regionals was not supposed to be how Chloe Negrete ends her career! She was supposed to get a 10 on floor! I’m so sad! Long live Chloe Negrete’s gymnastics career! Give her a 7th season!” Another chimed in: “Gutted for Chloe Negrete, such an icon on and off the floor for NC State. This is so not how her career should have ended, but I’m so thankful we got so many years of her incredible gymnastics.” But perhaps the most defiant and heartfelt came from a fan refusing to accept the curtain call: “I refuse to admit Chloe Negrete got injured on floor and is now done with gymnastics!” And honestly? Same.

Because when an athlete gives everything — from medals to memories — it’s never really over. Chloe Negrete didn’t just perform routines. She inspired a fanbase, anchored a team, and carved out a legacy. If this is the end, it’s the kind that legends get. But if there’s more to come? Well, the Wolfpack will be howling a little louder next time she takes the floor.