University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Take On Hearts Before Valentine's Day
February 11, 2004 | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 11, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina gymnastics team takes to the road again on Fri., Feb. 13, to compete in the annual Hearts Invitational at NC State, the site of this year's Southeast Regional Meet. The No. 23 Tar Heels will face NC State for the second consecutive week, as well as James Madison and William & Mary in the quad meet.
Carolina is coming off a win at the ninth annual Governor's Cup on Feb. 7, where the Tar Heels teamed up with NC State to defeat the state of Maryland (Towson and Maryland). Carolina earned a season-high team score, a 195.975 and a season-high balance beam score, 49.300.
Junior Olivia Trusty tied for first in the all-around with her second, career-high 39.50 of the season. She posted 9.90's on uneven bars and floor exercise and 9.85's on both vault and balance beam. Sophomore Courtney Bumpers took third with a 39.425 all-around score. She had a first place finish on floor exercise with a 9.975. Freshman Christine Robella continued her hot streak with her second-highest all-around mark, a 39.25. She won the balance beam with a personal best 9.90.
Robella has had a standout rookie season so far, having notched top scores of 9.90 on vault and balance beam and 9.925 on uneven bars and floor exercise. Her 39.475 in the all-around is the third best in school history.
Carolina defeated NC State, 195.975-195.225 at the Governor's Cup. Both scores were season-high marks for their respective teams. NC State also earned high scores for the season on uneven bars (48.85) and floor exercise (49.05).
William & Mary beat James Madison on Feb. 6, 192.35-190.35, in James Madison's final home meet of the season. James Madison had season-high scores on vault (47.925) and floor exercise (48.80).
William & Mary also hosted George Washington on Feb. 7, giving up a 194.10-193.15 loss. Sophomore Brittany Gibbs earned Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Rookie of the Week honors after setting two school records, a 9.90 on vault and 9.925 on balance beam.
With a 195.025 average for the season, Carolina (9-1) is ranked 23rd in the nation, fourth in the Southeast Region and second in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL). NC State (6-7) sits in a sixth place position in both the region and the EAGL with a 193.70 team average. William & Mary are ranked second and fourth, respectively, in the ECAC standings. William & Mary has a season average of 189.325 and James Madison, a 189.025.
The teams will face off at 7 p.m. at NC State's Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., on Fri., Feb. 13.
Players Mentioned
