University of North Carolina Athletics
Gymnastics Team Ranked No. 20
December 9, 2003 | Women's Gymnastics
Dec. 9, 2003
The University of North Carolina women's gymnastics team is ranked No. 20 in the preseason coaches poll. Carolina received 254 points, just five points behind Penn State and nearly 100 points ahead of California. The Tar Heels are coming off the winningest season in school history and return 11 letterwinners in 2004.
Last year, Carolina finished third at the NCAA regionals, trailing runner-up Florida by a mere .05 in a struggle for a bid to nationals, a result which required at least a second place finish. Two members of the Carolina squad - Anna Wilson and Courtney Bumpers - executed all-around performances good enough to take them to Lincoln, Neb., for the national meet. Wilson and Bumpers became the first UNC gymnasts to qualify for the NCAA Championships since 1986. Both return this season.
Carolina opens the 2004 season at the George Washington Invitational on Sunday, January 18.
2004 Women's Pre-Season Coaches Poll
Rank Team Points #1 Votes
1 UCLA 938 27
2 Georgia 895 8
3 Alabama 864 1
4 Utah 794 1
5 Michigan 758 1
6 Stanford 751
7 Florida 700
8 Nebraska 700
9 Arizona State University 628
10 Louisiana State University (LSU) 553
11 Oregon State 447
12 Iowa 444
13 Oklahoma 402
14 Auburn 372
15 Washington 370
16 Iowa State 348
17 Arizona 290
18 Denver 287
19 Penn State 259
20 North Carolina 254
21 California 157
22 Minnesota 129
23 Ohio State 128
24 Brigham Young University 110
25 Missouri 100
Other team receiving votes:
New Hampshire, Central Michigan, North Carolina State, Maryland, Utah State, Boise State, Kentucky, Arkansas, Michigan State, Cal State Fullerton, Kent State, West Virginia, Southern Utah, Illinois Chicago, Pittsburgh, George Washington, E. Michigan, Illinois, Bowling Green
Players Mentioned
