University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Head To EAGL Championships
March 25, 2010 | Women's Gymnastics
March 25, 2010
It wasn't until competition was over and the gymnasts had huddled around head coach Derek Galvin and assistant coach Penny Jernigan, that the University of North Carolina gymnastics team realized what a remarkable day it had been. As Galvin shared the news that the team had scored a 196.225, its highest team score since 2004, the gymnasts erupted in cheer. The Tar Heels bested their previous best score of 2010, a 194.225 they earned at Florida, by 2.000 points.
"Certainly there were some outstanding individual achievements in the meet," Galvin said. "But it was the team that helped bring about those individual performances. That type of team approach is what we've been looking for this entire season and that was very exciting.
"It was the energy, the enthusiasm, and the fact that everyone seemed to be on the same page at the same time that resulted in some amazing performances. Once that momentum gets rolling it pulls people along with it and that's what happened."
Seven gymnasts recorded personal bests Saturday afternoon in a meet that featured an enthusiastic and confident Tar Heel squad. The Carolina gymnastics team hopes to carry the momentum from last week's wins into the EAGL Championships.
"I was just very pleased with the way the team has come together in the last week and a half. It was an entire team effort and it is that team effort that is going to be essential in achieving our goals at the EAGL Championships," Galvin said.
After scoring their highest team totals on three events this season, the Tar Heels enter the EAGL championships with confidence, but also with the knowledge that they can still improve their routines and minimize errors.
"It's exciting to be in this position. To have the momentum at the end of the season and have a team that's confident," Galvin said. "It's fun to be in this position because we're going into this meet knowing what the team is capable of doing when they pull it together. Up until two weeks ago we didn't really know what this team could do."
The Tar Heels travel to Durham, N.H. for the EAGL Championships at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 27. The East Atlantic Gymnastics League is composed of eight teams and the Tar Heels hope to finish among the top four teams this weekend.
"Our goal every year is to be in the top half of the EAGLs. Certainly we're shooting to win it every year. We got off to a slow start this year because of injuries and some illnesses mid year, but when I look at the team I see a team that can win EAGLs," Galvin said. "To do that we have to focus on our routines and our team performance. Our focus is not on any of the other teams and it is not on any specific score. Our focus is on doing quality routines that are well executed and minimizing the deductions. If we do that and that puts us in first place then fantastic. If the team gives their best effort, if they outdo what they did this past Saturday and another team outscores us, then my hats off to them. Our team would have put everything that they have out there."
