University of North Carolina Athletics
Gymnastics Spotlight: Acacia Cosentino
January 5, 2011 | Women's Gymnastics
Acacia Cosentino rounds out a group of talented Tar Heel freshmen. Cosentino's highly acclaimed club career included winning the 2010 all-around, beam and bar championships in Ohio. She is now preparing to compete in the upcoming George Washington Invitational on Jan. 16, in Washington, D.C.
Coach Derek Galvin on Cosentino: Acacia is a very hardworking, dedicated student- athlete. All three of the freshman take academics and athletics very seriously. They are very goal oriented. It's always great when you've got people who step in ready to go. Acacia is someone who has a lot of difficulty in her uneven bars routine; we think she can contribute in a very significant way on that event. She is another person who we feel can contribute as an all-around gymnast. Her dance style is very captivating; she is someone fans will enjoy watching, especially on floor exercise. Her movement is very sharp, very precise. She has the potential to be a very dynamic gymnast.
TarHeelBlue.com: Being from Ohio, has it been hard to be far away from home?
Acacia Cosentino: It's been hard sometimes, but having the team here and the coaches, they have basically stepped in as a second family so its made it a lot easier.
THB.com: What has the transition been like from club to college gymnastics?
AC: Club gymnastics is a lot more pressure. You could say its more intense but when you get here it's a lot more team motivated. The coaches push you, but it's a lot more from the team and from yourself. The attitude and the atmosphere is so much different because everyone has a common goal and it's just for the team to do their best and everyone wants each other to do their best.
THB.com: Why did you choose Carolina?
AC: The people mainly, plus UNC is such a prestigious school. The academics and the gymnastics were both exactly where I wanted them. Penny and Derek were so awesome and when I got to spend time with the team they were all so nice and so helpful, it made it an easy decision.
THB.com: What is the chemistry like on the team?
AC: Everybody gets along really well. We are always here for each other and supporting each other. We really want each other to do our best.
THB.com: What is your favorite event and least favorite?
AC: Least favorite is probably vault because it doesn't come as easy to me and favorite is either bars or floor because floor is fun to perform and bars is fun to train.
THB.com: What are your goals for this season?
AC: We really want to make nationals and win there, so we have some lofty goals.
THB.com: What do you do when you're not in the gym?
AC: Study, especially this past week with exams.
THB.com: What surprised you most about UNC?
AC: I wasn't expecting such a big change in the way that the people are all so nice and these girls, the team—it's really all of us in it together. I expected something like that, but I had no idea it was going to be this great being here.
THB.com: What is the team doing to prepare for the George Washington Invitational?
AC: We are doing a lot of conditioning. We are getting ready for routines—making sure we are staying in shape so we stay healthy and be at our best when we are there.
THB.com: What is your favorite place to eat on Franklin?
AC: Pita Pit.
Players Mentioned
