NCAA Gymnastics: Dissatisfied From Judging Standards, Olympian Kathy Johnson Clarke Finally Finds Peace in NC State’s Historic ACC Win

NC State gymnastics soared to victory on Saturday night, securing its eighth conference gymnastic championship. With a historic road performance, the team clinched the first ACC Championship since 1984, marking a triumphant milestone in the program’s legacy. Under the leadership of coach Kim Landrus, the Wolf Pack achieved remarkable heights, notching the second-highest score of her era and the third-highest in program history with an impressive 197.550.

However, the path to victory was fraught with challenges as the NCAA gymnastics landscape underwent significant changes in 2024. New landing rules introduced added a .05 deduction on vault, bars, and beam for failing to hold a “finish position” for at least one second after the routine. Despite these hurdles, the Wolfpack won and celebrated their victory, as seen in the recent post.

Clarke applauds NC State’s historic gymnastics win 

The NCAA’s new gymnastics regulations, further brought the implementation of the finish position requirement, mandating that gymnasts maintain straight legs and raised hands for a full second after landing. Furthermore, judges now have the authority to deduct .15 for even a single medium-sized step, alongside revised criteria for squat deductions.

Notably, alterations in the deduction system for vaults, particularly regarding under-rotation of salto vaults, allow judges to impose penalties of “up to .10.” While Johnson Clarke who is a former artistic champion and now commentator had expressed some apprehension regarding the change in rules. However, the Wolf team’s historic win spoke volumes about their resilience and skill.

In a recent post on X, Johnson Clarke congratulated the Pack on their remarkable achievement, Saying, “Congratulations, @pack_Gymnastics, on your historic win! It brought me such joy to feel the electricity in the arena in support of all four teams -@ClemsonGym @uncgymnastics @Pitt_GY – in what was an incredibly memorable first ACC Championships in 40 years! Onward and upward!”.

NC State dominates ACC gymnastic championships

During a historic meet, the NC State Pack showcased their prowess with a remarkable performance, notching a staggering score of 197.550.  In a tightly contested competition, Clemson secured second place with a commendable score of 196.425, closely trailed by Pitt and North Carolina, who ended the evening in a tie for third place at 196.300. Amidst this fierce rivalry, NC State emerged triumphant, clinching not only the team crown but also an impressive tally of four individual ACC titles.

Chloe Negrete shone brightly, securing meet-high scores on beam (9.950) and floor (9.975), claiming the prestigious ACC Individual Champion title in both events. Additionally, Ashley Knight displayed her prowess with a stellar performance, earning vault champion honors with a score of 9.900. Emily Shepard further cemented NC State’s dominance by clinching the all-around crown with an impressive score of 39.500, adding to the Pack’s historic event.

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