University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Open Season Against No. 12 Auburn
January 6, 2015 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina kicks off its 34th gymnastics season under head coach Derek Galvin on Friday evening at 7 p.m. against preseason No. 12 Auburn. The meet will be held at Carmichael Auditorium and admission is free.
Friday's meet is the first of four home dates for the Tar Heels, who return 10 letterwinners from last season's squad, including All-East Atlantic Gymnastics League performers Haley Watts, Lexi Cappalli, Janell Sargent, Megan Marenghi and Acacia Cosentino.
“We are ahead of where we were at this time last year,” says Galvin, who is the only NCAA gymnastics coach in UNC history. “We've had a few setbacks due to injury recently, but I believe this team will get stronger as the year progresses and we hope to be performing our best at the end of the year in postseason competition.”
Carolina will face a tough test in the season opener against the Tigers of the Southeastern Conference. The preseason No. 12 ranking is the highest in Auburn's history. It is also the first time Carolina has opened the year at home against a top 12 opponent.
“Auburn is a talented and well-coached team that has made a rapid rise in college gymnastics over the last three years,” says Galvin. “We felt like this would be the right time to test ourselves immediately out of the gate. We aspire to be one of the top programs in the country and we need to face these top level teams to realize what it's going to take.”
Watts, Carolina's lone competitor in the 2014 NCAA regional, is the Tar Heels' top all-arounder. Last season, she was a first-team all-conference selection in the all-around and on uneven bars. She also garnered second-team honors on vault and floor exercise. The Charlotte, N.C., native Matched or eclipsed her career highs in all five events throughout the season
Cappalli, a junior from Kildeer, Ill., is also expected to compete in the all-around for the second consecutive season. She was a second-team All-EAGL competitor on all-around last year and a first-team selection on floor.
“Haley has consistently been our strongest performer starting last season and continuing through our most recent intrasquad meet on Saturday,” says Galvin. “She and Lexi should compete again in all four events. Lexi is showing a level of confidence above what she was doing at the end of last year.”
In an effort to bolster its depth, which became an issue last year, Carolina welcomed five newcomers to the squad, including Kaitlynn Hedelund, Morgan Lane, Lindsey Lemke, Emily Schein and Lauren Weisel. Lane and Weisel, in particular, have been impressive in preseason workouts and are expected to fill several spots in the lineup.
“There is more depth on this team and there is a higher level of maturity with this group,” says Galvin. “I believe we will continue to grow our skill level and execution throughout the season. There is a lot of talent on this team, and as more of our student-athletes get healthier, they will have an immediate impact.”
On Friday, the Tar Heels' depth will be tested with several nagging preseason injuries – Marenghi (knee), Christina Pheil (heel), Schein (shoulder), Hedelund (foot), Lemke (foot) – still affecting several individuals.
Galvin believes in this team and knows the future is bright for the Tar Heels.
“From the first meet of the year until the end of the season, we will compete with poise and enthusiasm at a high level,” he says. “Our fans will be encouraged by our performances and the fight in this team.
“It should be an exciting meet on Friday and our intent is to match, and hopefully exceed, the level of competition Auburn brings to Carmichael.”
Players Mentioned
