University of North Carolina Athletics
Senior Gymnasts Look Forward to Break-Out Season
February 25, 2003 | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 25, 2003
As seniors on the North Carolina gymnastics team, gymnasts Natalie Halbach and Fritzie Cathcart have experienced several record-breaking seasons, witnessed the school's only three perfect individual scores and been a part of the program's first-ever EAGL Championship (2002). They have watched the team grow and improve. The best part is that they only expect things to get better.
Team unity has been an important factor for every gymnast in the Carolina program, yet it seems to have special meaning for the seniors who have been a part of four different teams.
"When you come to a university that emphasizes team so much it takes a lot of pressure off," Cathcart said. "I want to do well because I want the team to do well."
"The second I walked on campus I had a family," Halbach added. "The days when you're too tired to come in and you see the smiles and know [your teammates] are giving 110 percent pushes you. Those days make you stronger."
The Tar Heels finished the 2002 season ranked 20th in the nation after winning the EAGL Championship and placing fourth at the NCAA Southeast Regional. It was one of the best seasons in Carolina gymnastics history.
"EAGL was a great moment," Halbach said. "It was the culmination of a year of hard work."
Cathcart highlighted the EAGL victory as one of her favorite memories in gymnastics, followed by the Tar Heels' first win over NC State at the Wolfpack's home gym last season.
Despite an impressive undefeated start to the season, Cathcart hopes the team will be able to take each meet one at a time without getting overwhelmed. Her goals are to do well at EAGL, qualify for regionals and hopefully make it to nationals.
"We need to make stuff more consistent, clean up our performances and do our best to sum up the year," Cathcart said.
"My biggest goal is that we finish the season with as much heart and fun as we're having now," said Halbach. "What we're going to remember is having fun."
oth athletes value gymnastics as an integral part of their daily lives. Cathcart said gymnastics keeps her motivated and organized.
"These girls are more than teammates; they're my friends," said Cathcart. That's such a big part of my day - coming in and working out with these girls. I'm going to miss them."
"Being a part of the team has enriched who I am and challenged me to grow not only as an athlete but also as a person," concluded Halbach. "I feel like I've been blessed."
Players Mentioned
