University of North Carolina Athletics
Gymnasts To Compete In Home Opener On Friday
February 16, 2000 | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 16, 2000
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Already five meets into the 2000 season and the North Carolina women's gymnastics team has yet to grace the home crowd at Carmichael Auditorium. The anticipation is over as homecoming for the Tar Heels begins Friday night when they will face the squad from James Madison University. The dual meet marks the beginning of a three week homestand for Carolina as they look to improve their overall team standings within their region.
Currently the Tar Heels rank eighth in Region 6 while James Madison immediately follows in ninth place. Both squads are looking to improve their overall team averages for only the top six teams from each region get to move on to NCAA post-season action.
"Our goal going into this meet on Friday is score above a 193.000 as team," says Head Coach Derek Galvin. Currently the Tar Heels average just over 191 as a team for the season.
Leading the way for the Tar Heels are junior Brooke Wilson and senior Meredith McDermott who will both be competing for the all-around on Friday.
James Madison is led by their three all-around gymnasts, junior Ally Betar, senior tri-captain Betsy Hernandez and fellow senior Ashleigh Suarez.
The Tar Heels look to continue similar home floor success that they achieved last season when they posted a 5-0 record in Chapel Hill, which included an impressive upset victory over the then 21st ranked Auburn Tigers.
The meet will begin at 7:00 p.m. in Carmichael Auditorium on the campus of the University.
