University of North Carolina Athletics
Gymnastics Set For Busy Weekend
January 23, 2004 | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 23, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina gymnastics team will begin a busy weekend Saturday when it hosts the University of Maryland in its first 2004 home meet at Carmichael Auditorium at 5 p.m. The following day, the Tar Heels will travel to Williamsburg, Va., to compete against William & Mary for the second time this season.
Carolina is coming off a win at the George Washington Invitational on Sun., Jan. 18, with a record of 5-0. Maryland's record is 0-3 (0-1 in the EAGL) after two meets, although the Terps' season high score falls just below the Tar Heels'. Carolina won the GW Invitational with its highest ever opening score of 194.800, while Maryland scored a 194.650 in a dual meet against the University of Denver on Jan. 20.
William & Mary also competed in the GW Invitational, placing fifth. The Tribe holds a record of 2-5, having lost to NC State in its season opening meet by only .05. William & Mary scored a 191.200 in the meet at NC State, its highest score in a season opener. The team has defeated conference opponents Cornell and Brown.
Carolina swept the top three spots on vault, floor exercise and all-around at George Washington. Junior Olivia Trusty and freshman Christine Robella tied for second place in the all-around with scores of 39.100. This was the first time that Carolina has had three all-arounders score higher than a 39.000.
Sophomore Courtney Bumpers was named the EAGL Gymnast of the Week for her performance at the GW Invitational, including a 10.0 on floor exercise, a 39.475 all-around score and first place finishes on vault, balance beam, floor exercise and all-around.
umpers leads the EAGL with her all-around score and is ranked second in the Southeast region and 12th in the nation for high scores so far this season. She is one of five gymnasts around the country to have scored a 10.0 this season and sits alone at the top of the floor exercise national standings.
Maryland's Rachel Martinez, a sophomore from North Massaqequa, N.Y., was Gymnast of the Week after the Terps' first meet against Ohio State and Pittsburgh. Like Carolina sophomore Bumpers, Martinez has received the honor three times, twice as a freshman.
Three William & Mary gymnasts - Suzanne Chaves, Brittany Gibbs and Emma Cross - garnered Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) awards for their performances at the school's first meet of the season at NC State. The conference offers Gymnast of the Week (Chaves), Rookie of the Week (Gibbs) and Coaches' Choice (Cross) awards.
Carolina is currently ranked second in the EAGL behind New Hampshire, last year's EAGL champion, while Maryland falls in fifth. The last time the two teams competed was at the 2003 Southeast regional meet, where Carolina finished third with a 194.900. Maryland was the first team behind the Tar Heels, earning a 192.825. The last time Carolina and William & Mary competed was Jan. 18 at the GW Invitational. The Tar Heels came out ahead, 194.800-187.450.
Saturday's meet will take place at 5 p.m. at Carmichael Auditorium. Carolina will then travel to Williamsburg, Va., to perform at William and Mary Hall Sunday at 3 p.m.
Players Mentioned
