University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Host Rutgers In Final Home Meet Of 2010
March 19, 2010 | Women's Gymnastics
March 19, 2010
Coming off a big win against EAGL rival Maryland, the Tar Heels host Rutgers University in their last home competition of the season on Saturday, March 20 at 1 p.m. in Carmichael Arena. The meet will honor seniors Teri Diamond, Tina Jacob, Christine Nguyen and Kara Wright.
"Last year we didn't have the opportunity for a final home meet for our seniors, so this is something that I have been looking forward to for awhile. Looking forward to it and also it is in some ways sad. This has been a special senior class. Every year it's hard saying bye to the seniors and this year is going to be no different," said head coach Derek Galvin. "Penny and I want it for them so badly because they are a special group and they have given a lot to this program. I know they want to continue to give more and they've got that opportunity in the next couple of meets."
With only two meets left in the season, Saturday's competition is an opportunity for the Tar Heels to raise their regional qualifying score. Carolina needs to pass two teams in the national rankings for the team to qualify for NCAA Regionals.
"My expectation is that we'll perform well regardless of the opponent," Galvin said. "Rutgers has some really strong individuals and it is important that we come out and do the best we can. Our opponent right now is really ourselves. We've got to get a strong team score this weekend to strengthen our chances of making it to NCAA Regionals.
"It's important that we have a high level of energy and enthusiasm and well executed routines. We have to maintain that. The meet at Maryland was the strongest I've seen our team this year in terms of the way they carried themselves and the enthusiasm they displayed. We can't let back, we cant back off on that. It has to continue to be at the level and maybe even a little bit higher as we go into the meet this weekend and the EAGL Championships."
The Tar Heels began 2010 with high goals set by the senior class. A number of injuries have kept the team from performing at its full potential, but the team is getting a little bit healthier each week.
"Zoya was able to compete two events at Maryland. Morgan competed four events. Krista had one of her strongest performance thus far and those are three people that are all coming back from injuries. We're getting closer to having the team that we thought we were going to have in terms of their health. I'm really eager to see them compete on Saturday and then carry that into what we do at the EAGL Championships."
After the meet the Carolina gymnasts will honor a senior class that has faced more unusual circumstances than any other UNC gymnastics team. During their sophomore season they didn't have a real training facility until mid-November and they competed all of 2009 on the road because of renovations to Carmichael during their junior season. Despite the obstacles they have faced, Galvin said that the seniors are some of the most effective competitors in the history of the program.
"What I really want for this senior class is to go out on a strong note," Galvin said. "Tuesday night at Maryland was the first time we looked like the team that I thought we should look like and I am very hopeful that it is not too late and we'll go onto NCAA Regionals as a team."
Players Mentioned
