University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
William & Mary, Rutgers
Carolina Takes First in Williamsburg
March 15, 2014 | Women's Gymnastics
WILLIAMSBURG, V.A. - The North Carolina gymnastics team posted a final score of 194.775 to take first place in last night's quad meet with Brown, William & Mary, and Rutgers. Junior Haley Watts earned a 39.000 to finish third in the all-around, while freshman Megan Marenghi and sophomore Sarah Peterson each nailed their routines to help edge the Heels.
"We had a much better team performance this week," said head coach Derek Galvin. "We did not have to count a fall on any event, and that's an improvement over the last couple of meets. Everyone on the team contributed in a positive way."
The Tar Heels, who had been struggling as of late, had a strong performance on vault. The team totaled a 48.500, and was led by Peterson who earned a 9.800 to tie for second place. Co-captain Michelle Ikoma returned to the lineup for Carolina after spending weeks out with an ankle injury and finished next with a 9.750. Lexi Cappalli and Watts each scored a 9.675, while Josselyn Mackey and Margaret Brown each contributed a 9.600.
On balance beam, the Heels scored a 48.450. Marenghi and Peterson led the team, each posting a 9.775. Beam specialist Janell Sargent finished with a 9.700, followed by Watts with a 9.650, Cappalli with a 9.550 and Meredith Magjuka with an 8.925.
Carolina had an even better floor performance, totaling a team score of 48.775. Freshman Christina Pheil, like Ikoma, returned to action for the Heels after weeks of nursing an ankle injury. Pheil earned a 9.750 on her routine to finish third for UNC.
"Christina and Michelle are healthier now, and it showed in their performances," said Galvin.
Magjuka tied with Pheil, also scoring a 9.750 to mark one of her strongest floor routines of the season. However, it was Watts and Kristin Aloi who finished on top for Carolina, each posting a 9.775. Cappalli and Acacia Cosentino both added a 9.725. Collectively, it was one of UNC's best floor performances of the season.
The Tar Heels' strongest apparatus in Friday night's meet was the uneven bars. Both Watts and Marenghi each earned new personal bests-Watts scoring a 9.900 and Marenghi a 9.875. Mackey and Peterson both posted a 9.775, Cosentino added a 9.725 and Cappalli scored a 9.225. Together, the team totaled a score of 49.050.
"Overall, it was a more focused team effort," said Galvin. "And we have some good momentum going into the EAGL Championships next weekend."
North Carolina will return to action next Saturday, March 22 when they head to Durham, New Hampshire for the Eastern Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) Championship tournament.
Players Mentioned
