CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – NC State's Emily Shepard and Ashley Knight were selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Gymnast and Newcomer of the Week, respectively, while Clemson's Brie Clark was named Specialist of the Week.
Shepard registered two scores of 9.925 in NC State's dual-meet victory over Pitt, using her season-best scores on bars and floor to help the Wolfpack secure season-high team totals on each event. The Olathe, Kansas, native's score of 9.925 on bars matched her career high, while her second total of 9.925 on floor, plus a 9.875 on vault and 9.750 on beam gave her the best all-around total of her season to this point at 39.475. The fifth-year senior tabbed four podium finishes on Friday night, finishing first place on bars and in the all-around, while tying Chloe Negrete for first place on both vault and floor. Shepard's two scores of 9.925 additionally gave her the honor of being the first gymnast in NC State history with 40 9.9+ scores in her career.
Clark recorded two individual podium finishes for Clemson in the Tigers' win over North Carolina, their second-straight ACC victory. The Daphne, Alabama, native tied her career-high on beam with a 9.900 and took her third-straight title on floor with 9.925. The redshirt sophomore has scored a 9.900 or higher on floor in every meet through the season so far.
Knight helped lead NC State to its program best score in a home opener by earning the first podium finish of her career after placing third on vault. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native scored a 9.825 in the Pack's first rotation to land in third place, while later tabbing a 9.700 on floor.
2024 Gymnast of the Week
Jan. 9 - Lali Dekanoidze, North Carolina
Jan. 15 - Jah'Liyah Bedminster, Pitt
Jan. 22 - Chloe Negrete, NC State
Jan. 29 - Emily Shepard, NC State
2024 Specialist of the Week
Jan. 9 - Chloe Negrete, NC State
Jan. 15 - Isabelle Schaefer, North Carolina
Jan. 22 - Trinity Brown, Clemson
Jan. 29 - Brie Clark, Clemson
2024 Newcomer of the Week
Jan. 9 - Emily Todd, Pitt
Jan. 15 - Lilly Lippeatt, Clemson
Jan. 22 - Lilly Lippeatt, Clemson
Jan. 29 - Ashley Knight, NC State