University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Gymnastics Hosts Maryland Sunday
February 10, 2010 | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 10, 2010
As Carmichael Auditorium underwent multi-million dollar renovations, the University of North Carolina gymnastics team competed its entire 2009 season on the road. On Sunday the Tar Heels return home to Carmichael Arena for a Valentine's Day matchup with East Atlantic Gymnastics League rival Maryland. The Blue & Pink meet marks the first home competition for nine of Carolina's 14 gymnasts.
"The first home meet is something we've been looking forward to since before even last year began," said head coach Derek Galvin. "We're going into this first home meet in a little bit of an unusual circumstance, not having competed in three weeks because of the weather situation. The team has been training well and I know that their enthusiasm level will be very high.
"It's going to be exciting to compete at home again not only because it's the first meet in Carmichael, but for our sophomores and freshmen it is going to be the first time for people they know here in the campus community to have a chance to see them. They are really eager to showcase what they can do."
Without a home meet in 2009, only the senior class and junior Karli Jones have competed in Carmichael. Junior Krista Jasper was injured during her freshmen season and did not perform in Chapel Hill. Galvin said that this puts his senior leadership in a unique position as they prepare their teammates for what he believes will be a close meet.
"The outcome in this meet is going to depend on which team hits the higher percentage of routines. I think our scoring potential is comparable," Galvin said. "If all things were equal, it wouldn't surprise me if we tied because the teams are evenly matched. Maryland has, in my opinion, the strongest team they've had in many years and they're off to their best start in many years. They are definitely a good challenge for us. I'm hoping that the fact that it is a home meet will help generate a little more energy and give us the advantage."
Carolina and Maryland were scheduled to compete on February 5 in College Park, Md., but the imminent snowstorm prevented the Tar Heels from making the trip. The two teams are attempting to reschedule the meet in March in the midst of a tough UNC schedule.
"From Sunday through the end of the season is like a sprint," Galvin said. "We will barely have time to catch our breath because the meets are coming fast and furious from Sunday through NCAA's. We're hopeful we'll be in a position to compete in the NCAA's. We've got some strong competition that we're facing, but I feel that this team is up to the challenge."
Before the competition begins, the Carolina gymnastics team invites the Chapel Hill community to its fourth annual cancer awareness fair. The fair began in 2006 after Carolina gymnast Miranda Ross' mother was diagnosed with cancer. The team rallied around Ross and wanted to do something that would support her and her family, as well as serve the community.
"The first year it was done on a small scale and it has grown," Galvin said of the event. "This year having a partnership with UNC's Get Real & Heel program will allow us to reach even more people and that is something that our team is very proud to be involved in. We're hoping that it is something that will continue to grow in subsequent years."
The cancer awareness fair will be held in the lobby of Carmichael from 12:30 p.m. until the start of the meet at 2:30 p.m. Both the fair and meet are free of charge. If you can't make it to Carmichael on Sunday, Carolina All-Access will provide video coverage of the meet on TarHeelBlue.com.
Players Mentioned
