University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Auburn
Tar Heels Edged Out by Tigers in Home Opener
January 10, 2015 | Women's Gymnastics
Chapel Hill, N.C - In the first competition of the season, the University of North Carolina gymnastics team fell to 12th ranked Auburn University 194.150 to 193.750. The Tar Heels dominated the all-around competition by placing two athletes in the top three. Senior Haley Watts won with a score of 39.100 and junior Lexi Cappalli tied for second with a score of 38.625.
“The team has been training with an intense focus and it showed tonight,” said head coach Derek Galvin. “We certainly have a lot to improve, but I was very pleased.”
The Tar Heels had a strong performance on the vault, edging the Tigers 48.450 to 48.250. Watts received a score of 9.825, the second best among all competitors. Junior Sarah Peterson recorded a 9.700, while Cappalli and freshman Morgan Lane each contributed a 9.675.
Carolina recorded its best scores in the uneven bars competition, finishing with a score of 48.750. Freshman Kaitlynn Hedelund won the rotation with a score of 9.825. Watts recorded a 9.800, followed by Acacia Consentino and Lane, who both earned a score of 9.750.
“It was fun to see the freshmen get off to such a great start. I think that is going to give [Morgan Lane and Hedelund] confidence for the rest of the season,” said Galvin.
The Tigers edged the Heels in the balance beam competition, winning by 0.725. Freshman Kaitlynn Hedelund contributed the highest score for the Tar Heels, 9.750. Beam specialist, Janell Sargent, and Watts both recorded scores of 9.725, followed by Cappalli with a score of 9.575.
On the floor, the Heels scored a 48.625. Lane received a 9.825, which tied for the best score among all competitors. Watts and Cappalli both recorded scores of 9.750, followed by Kristin Aloi with a score of 9.700.
“We are pretty excited about [the outcome] because we had several unexpected injuries in the last week. We made up for those and did the best we could,” said Watts.
North Carolina will return to action next Sunday, January 18 when they head to Washington, D.C for the Lindsey Ferris Invitational. The Tar Heels will take on George Washington, Pittsburgh, Cornell and Temple.
Players Mentioned
