University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
New Hampshire
Tar Heels Earn Season-High Score On Balance Beam in New Hampshire Loss
March 16, 2007 | Women's Gymnastics
March 16, 2007
Durham, N.H. ----- Despite its highest score on balance beam in more than two years, the University of North Carolina gymnastics team lost a close contest at New Hampshire, 194.500-194.250 on Friday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium.
A snowstorm in the Northeast threatened to cancel the meet, but the Tar Heels were able to make it to Durham about an hour late.
With few spectators able to make the event, a cold gym and senior night for New Hampshire, the Tar Heels made the best of the circumstances and the 194.250 score should help in Carolina's NCAA regional qualifying score.
"It was an adventure just getting to the gym," said head coach Derek Galvin. "Despite the conditions, our team showed a lot of enthusiasm and energy and they had fun. I told them someday they would be telling stories to their kids about this meet."
For the Tar Heels, the meet was highlighted by a season-high score of 49.100 on balance beam. That is the highest score for Carolina on that apparatus since a 49.275 score in 2005 (Jan. 21 vs. William & Mary). Leading the way was freshman Christine Nguyen with a 9.900 followed by Christine Robella at 9.850, Tina Jacob at 9.825, Kara Wright at 9.80 and Sarrie Rubin at 9.725.
"I was really pleased with our team's beam performance and, including the two exhibition performers, we were eight for eight on our routines," explained Galvin. "Christine Nguyen and Christine Robella had exceptional meets."
Shawna Kelly won the individual uneven bars title for the second consecutive meet with a 9.775 score. Robella added a 9.750 and Wright and Nguyen had solid performances with a 9.725.
Nguyen won the vault title with a 9.875 and and finished fourth on the floor exercise with a 9.800. She secured the all-around crown with a 39.300.
Robella was second in the all-around at 39.275 and second in both the vault (9.850) and floor (9.825).
For the second consecutive meet, the Tar Heels were hampered by their performance on the floor exercise. Carolina had to count two falls and scored just 48.025.
"We are headed in the right direction, but we still have to keep working hard and I know we will," said Galvin.
Results
Vault - 48.625
1. Christine Nguyen - 9.875
2. Christine Robella - 9.850
4. Jen Valby - 9.750
7. Kara Wright - 9.650
10. Sarrie Rubin - 9.500
10. Teri Diamond - 9.500
Uneven Bars - 48.500
1. Shawna Kelly - 9.775
3. Christine Robella - 9.750
4. Kara Wright - 9.725
4. Christine Nguyen - 9.725
8. Jen Valby - 9.525
11. Teri Diamond - 8.775
Balance Beam - 49.100
1. Christine Nguyen - 9.900
3. Christine Robella - 9.850
4. Tina Jacob - 9.825
6. Kara Wright - 9.80
9. Sarrie Rubin - 9.725
11. Shawna Kelly - 9.575
Floor Exercise - 48.025
2. Christine Robella - 9.825
4. Christine Nguyen - 9.800
6. Sarrie Rubin - 9.775
10. Rachel Schneider - 9.625
11. Tina Jacob - 9.000
12. Kara Wright - 8.675
All-Around
1. Christine Nguyen - 39.300
2. Christine Robella - 39.275
4. Kara Wright - 37.850
Players Mentioned
