University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Opens Season Against Rival
January 3, 2014 | Women's Gymnastics
Chapel Hill, N.C. - For the first time in more than a decade, North Carolina will open its gymnastics season at home when the Tar Heels face rival NC State on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. It's the season opener for two squads that will compete for top honors in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League.
In the 2014 preseason coaches' poll, NC State was picked to finish second, and Carolina tied for third with Pittsburgh. Maryland, in its last season in the EAGL, is the preseason favorite.
"We're looking forward to opening the season at home against our biggest rival NC State," said head coach Derek Galvin, who heads into his 33rd season in Chapel Hill. "It should be a great meet with an electric atmosphere in Carmichael Auditorium. It's the first time we've opened the season at home against NC State in a long time and I know our fans are looking forward to the meet. Three of our first four meets are at home and we'll need the support of our fans to get off to a great start."
Carolina's 12-person roster will have to perform at its peak right from the start of the season. The Tar Heels are led by captains Meredith Magjuka, Michelle Ikoma and Kristin Aloi. All three gymnasts have overcome injuries during their careers and are set to perform at their best in 2014. Magjuka has been one of the team's most consistent performers on beam the last three seasons, while Ikoma and Aloi have been standouts on floor exercise.
"The ladies have been working extremely hard in the offseason to prepare," said Galvin. "They've been training in the weight room and in the gym to do the best they can this year and hopefully return to the top of the EAGL standings. We've had two intra-squad meets already and I think they helped us get a feel for pressure of a meet."
The Tar Heels also will be counting on junior Haley Watts, a junior who came on strong last year to post a 39.000 or higher in the all-around if five meets. Watts has been slowed by an ankle injury and will not vault in the first meet.
The NC State meet also marks the debut of Carolina's three-person incoming freshmen class that includes Margaret Brown of Waxhaw, N.C., Megan Marenghi of Plano, Texas and Christina Pheil of St. Petersburg. Galvin expects all three to contribute in the first meet.
"We're still working on the exact lineup, but all three freshmen will be in at least one rotation due to some injuries and depth concerns we have," said Galvin. "They're excited to compete in their first college meet."
Following the season opener, Carolina will quickly return to action on Friday, Jan. 17, in Raleigh against NC State, Michigan and Towson. All four meets in the month of January are in the Triangle area and three of the first four are at home. Carolina has home meets on Jan. 26 vs. Maryland and Jan. 31 vs. Pittsburgh.
Players Mentioned
