University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Towson, West Chester, William & Mary
Tar Heels Take First in Towson, Md.
January 26, 2015 | Women's Gymnastics
Towson, Md. – In the first quad meet of the season, North Carolina emerged victorious on Sunday, defeating William & Mary, Towson and West Chester with a season-best 195.350. UNC recorded the top score on three of the four rotations, including uneven bars, vault and balance beam.
“We came into today's meet with the goal of breaking 195 [in total score],” said head coach Derek Galvin. “We are very pleased with the performance.”
In the all-around competition, the Tar Heels took the top three places. Morgan Lane posted a season-best 39.250, taking first place. Haley Watts finished second with a score of 39.075, and Lexi Cappalli placed third with a 38.975.
The Tar Heels started off the afternoon on floor, where they recorded a 48.625. Lane and Cappalli both recorded a 9.825, which tied for the highest among all competitors. Cappalli's score represents her best of the season. Watts added a 9.775 and Lauren Weisel was awarded a 9.675.
On the vault, UNC tallied a 48.550. The Tar Heels had three of the top five scores on the apparatus. Lane and Sarah Peterson both received a 9.775, which tied for second place. Lane's score represents her best of the season, improving upon her 9.625 during last weekend's competition. Watts added a 9.750, the fourth best score. In addition, Weisel and Cappalli both recorded a score of 9.625.
UNC next competed on the bars, which proved to be its strongest apparatus of the afternoon. The Tar Heels recorded a season best 49.175. Carolina received four of the top six scores. Cappalli recorded a season best 9.900, taking first place. Kaitlynn Hedelund received second place with a score of 9.875, Lindsey Lemke received a 9.825, which tied for fourth place, and Watts placed sixth with a score of 9.800.
The Tar Heels' finished the competition on the balance beam, where they recorded a season-best 49.000. During the final rotation, Carolina placed five gymnasts in the top nine. Lane took first with a score of 9.875, Janell Sargent finished second with a 9.850, and Hedelund and Watts tied for fourth with a score of 9.775. In addition, Sarah Peterson tied for ninth with a score of 9.725. Lane, Sargent and Hedelund all recorded season-best scores.
“To finish the meet with a strong performance on beam was very encouraging going forward for the rest of the season,” said Galvin. "Next weekend we travel to Raleigh to take on NC State, where we will have the same order of rotations. We hope our strong performance in the last two rotations in today's meet will provide momentum for next weekend,” said Galvin.
North Carolina will next be in action on Sat, Jan. 31 in Raleigh, N.C. The Tar Heels take on NC State, West Virginia and William & Mary at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.
Players Mentioned
