University of North Carolina Athletics
Gymnastics Spotlight: Taylor Brown
January 27, 2010 | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 27, 2010
Sophomore Taylor Brown's hard work and personality make her a force on floor exercise. With a score of 9.725, Brown placed third on floor at Sunday's meet against William & Mary and helped the Tar Heels defeat the Tribe. Brown also set a new personal best on floor, improving on the 9.550 she performed last year at Maryland.
Brown and the Tar Heels have a week off before they head to College Park, Md., for a dual meet against EAGL rival Maryland on Friday, February 5. The Terrapins then travel to Chapel Hill the following week for Carolina's first home meet since 2008.
Prior to the Valentine's Day clash with Maryland, Carolina gymnastics invites the Chapel Hill community to the Fourth Annual Cancer Awareness Event. Kicking off at 12:30 p.m., the event is designed to provide educational information about programs and organizations in the community that are available to assist individuals and their families as they face the challenges of battling cancer.
Head Coach Derek Galvin on Brown: Taylor showed steady progress during her freshman year and peaked at the NCAA Regional meet. She dedicated her training this past summer to boosting her fitness level and came into our pre-season team training much stronger this year. Taylor's execution and form is much improved this year and I believe she will be among our regular competitors on floor exercise, and possibly vault. Her infectious smile is sure to find favor with the judges and spectators during her floor exercise routine. Taylor's technique on the uneven bars also continues to show improvement, and she will definitely be among the individuals we consider for a place in the line-up on that event too.
TarHeelBlue.com: How are you feeling after the team's first meet, the GW Invitational?
Taylor Brown: The first meet at George Washington went very well. The team did a great job of supporting one another, which made the meet even more fun. We definitely started the season off well, and I can tell that we are only going to get better from here.
THB.com: You recorded a personal best 9.650 on vault last season at the EAGL Championships, how have you been building on that in the off-season?
TB: Well during the off-season I trained a vault with a higher start value so that my scores can improve. I also continued to just work hard knowing that I am capable of scoring well.
THB.com: What is your favorite event?
TB: My favorite events are bars and floor. I really enjoy bars because I can swing so naturally, but I also like floor because I am able to perform for the audience.
THB.com: How have you grown as a gymnast since your freshman season?
TB: Now that I have one year of experience, I can say that I felt more prepared for the first meet. I have also grown to continue to push myself and even my teammates especially during hard practices.
THB.com: What are your thoughts on competing in your first home meet as a UNC gymnast?
TB: I cannot wait for the first home meet in Carmichael! The thought of having our own fans cheering for me and the team is so exciting.
THB.com: What do you enjoy doing when you're not in the gym?
TB: I'd definitely have to say shopping!
THB.com: What is your favorite class at Carolina and why?
TB: I really enjoyed my Sports Psychology class because it directly applied to my life as an athlete. I learned a lot about the mind and behavior of an athlete that I was unaware of.
THB.com: What are your goals for the season?
TB: My goals for the season are to consistently compete in 2-3 events as well as keep improving my personal bests. I want to continue to improve my skills on every event because I feel like there is always room for improvement or always ways to make myself even better.
THB.com: What is the best thing about being a UNC gymnast?
TB: Being a part of such a supportive, caring and fun group of girls. When I am around my teammates, there are hardly any dull moments; they are definitely like family to me.
THB.com: Of all your UNC teammates, past and present, who have you learned the most from and what did they teach you?
TB: This one is kind of tough. I would probably say the current seniors have definitely taught me a lot, directly and indirectly. I have seen some of them bounce back from injuries, stay calm under pressure, balance athletics and academics, etc. And at the same time they have always reminded me and others that this experience should be fun and unforgettable.
Players Mentioned
