University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Pittsburgh
Watts Places Second At Pitt
March 8, 2014 | Women's Gymnastics
Pittsburgh, Pa. - Haley Watts finished second in the all-around, Megan Marenghi hit both of her routines and Christian Pheil returned to the lineup for the first time since the third week of the season in the Tar Heels' third place finish at Pitt's Fitgerald Field House. Carolina posted a 192.275 to finish behind East Atlantic Gymnastics League competitors Maryland (194.700) and Pitt (194.350).
"There were a few bright spots, but overall we just did not perform well enough, especially on vault and bars," said head coach Derek Galvin. "Obviously, it's disappointing to struggle the way we did on bars, but I was proud of the team for coming back on their final event on beam and posting a solid score. We did well on our first event (floor) and our last (beam), but really struggled in between."
Watts posted an all-around score of 39.125 to finish second, just .025 behind Maryland's Stephanie Gimeo (39.150). It is the sixth time in nine meets this season that Watts has posted a score of 39.0 or higher. She was third on vault with a 9.825, fifth on bars with a 9.750, second on beam with a 9.825, and sixth on floor with a 9.725. It was Watts' second-highest balance beam score of the season.
The Tar Heels began the three-team meet on floor and posted a 48.525. All six gymnasts scored a 9.500 or higher, led by Lexi Cappalli's 9.775. Watts and Pheil each had a 9.725, followed by Kristin Aloi's 9.675 and Acacia Cosentino's 9.625. Pheil had not competed since the third meet of the year on Jan. 26 due to a sprained ankle.
"It was good to have Christina back in the lineup and she hit her routine," said Galvin. "We've really been limited with some injuries over the last few weeks."
The Tar Heels rotated to vault and had to count one fall in their team score of 47.925. Watts was the team's top performer, followed by Sarah Peterson's 9.775 and Michelle Ikoma's 9.650.
Looking to regroup on uneven bars – which has been one of the team's top events all season – Carolina took an unexpected step backward with a score of 46.975. Watts and Marenghi were the only two Tar Heels to complete their routines as UNC counted three falls in the team score.
Carolina bounced back with a solid performance on balance beam in the final rotation, scoring a 48.850. Watts had a team-best 9.825, followed by Janell Sargent and Meredith Magjuka posting 9.800s.
Carolina returns to action next week at William & Mary on Friday, March 14.
Players Mentioned
