CLEMSON — The No. 19-ranked Clemson Gymnastics team continues to exceed expectations after claiming another milestone against the Pittsburgh Panthers Sunday at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Tigers are now 2-0 in their inaugural season, and the victory over Pitt was their first in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Trinity Brown and Lilly Lippeatt spoke to the media following their impressive performances, which included a career best for Brown on the vault.

–When asked about Brown’s new career best on vault, a 9.900, she elaborated on the feelings behind all the hard work. “This is a vault that I’ve been doing for four to five years, so yes I’m excited about the physical number, but I’m also excited about how much I’ve dialed into myself, my ability, and my coaches and teammates to help me get there.”

–Only the second meet of the season, the win against the Panthers marks the Tigers’ first over an ACC opponent, no small feat for the program. Lippeatt spoke about the impact the win has on the team. “I think it means a lot. We set high expectations for ourselves, so to see them come to fruition in the first (ACC) meet is really exciting. But I know with the way our team is, we are so passionate about fixing those small mistakes. We are already moving onto the next meet and wanting to make those changes.”

-Beyond the fast success, the gymnasts are also impacting the younger generation, who occupied many of the sold-out seats at Littlejohn. Lippeatt responded with gratitude. “It makes my heart so happy. This opportunity that we’ve been given to do gymnastics in college is crazy, but to see 8,000-plus people come here and support us, and to know that we are inspiring at least one person every day is so cool.”

–Lippeatt gave further input into what it means being a part of something bigger than herself and being a part of the very first gymnastics program at Clemson. “I think doing athletics for any college adds a lot of pressure, but doing gymnastics for Clemson is so motivating and they equipped us for success. When we came into this inaugural program, they told us that they were going to do everything they possibly could, the sky’s the limit. Seeing what they are doing in terms of resources, and knowing how limitless that is, it makes us feel so much more motivated and inspired to also reach that level in our performance.”

Clemson will have its first meet on the road Friday at 7:30 p.m., as they travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to compete against North Carolina.

—photo by Ken Ruinard / USA TODAY NETWORK