GYM: Clemson Opens Howell Era With 196.150 against Towson
VIDEO: Post-Meet Remarks from Justin Howell, Liz-Crandall Howell and Quinn Kuhl
No. 19 Clemson (1-0) opened up the Howell era with a 196.150-193-225 dual meet victory over Towson (0-1) at Littlejohn Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. Several Tigers turned in solid performances to start the 2026 season, which served as the first meet under Co-Head Coaches Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell.
Quinn Kuhl posted a career-best 9.900 on bars and also tied for the event win on Beam (9.825) and Brie Clark, a two-time All-ACC selection on floor, opened the season with a 9.900 on floor. The 196.150 was the fourth-highest of the 20 teams that competed on opening weekend.
Vault: 49.000
Madison Minner, Clemson’s career leader in vault appearances with 25, opened the season for the Tigers with a 9.850 with her Yurchenko tucked 1.5. Brie Clark then followed with a 9.825, competing a Kasamatsu in her first collegiate vault appearance. Maggie Holman competed on vault for the 21st time in her career, earning a 9.800. After Eve Jackson’s 9.675, senior Tara Walsh rounded out the scoring with a 9.850.
Bars: 49.050
Kuhl’s performance ended the rotation with an exclamation point, as she posted 9.900 in the anchor spot with the Tigers in need of a big score. She followed strong performances from Ella Cesario (9.850), Lilly Lippeatt (9.800), Takoda Berry (9.775) and Jackson (9.725).
Beam (48.975)
Lilly Lippeatt and Kuhl led the way on with their matching 9.825s. Kuhl was again the anchor, and gave the Tigers a counting score in an important spot. Brie Clark (9.800) and Hannah Clark (9.800) also gave Clemson a lift and Walsh rounded out the scoring in the leadoff spot with a 9.725.
Floor (49.125)
Holman led off the final rotation with a 9.850, tying for her second-highest score on floor in her 20th appearance in the event. Lippeatt (9.825) and Minner (9.825) similarly had solid performances, and Walsh equaled her beam score with a 9.25. This set the stage for Brie Clark, who posted a 9.900 or higher for the 18th time in her 25th floor performance for the Tigers. She took home the event victory for the 13th time in her career.
Up Next
The Tigers now turn their attention to No. 9 Alabama, who comes to Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday at 7 p.m. Limited tickets remain at ClemsonTigers.com. Clemson will host its first-ever “Light Up Littlejohn” event, where fans will receive bracelets and participate in a light show throughout the meet.
