University of North Carolina Athletics
Lane, Hedelund and Cappalli Prepare for NCAA Regionals
March 30, 2015 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – On Sat., April 4, three Tar Heel gymnasts will compete in the NCAA Auburn Regional Meet in Auburn, Ala. Morgan Lane and Lexi Cappalli will compete as all-around competitors while Kaitlynn Hedelund will compete on the uneven bars.
The NCAA selected Haley Watts as an all-around competitor, but she will be unable to compete due to a season-ending knee injury. Cappalli, who was named an alternate, will compete for the Tar Heels.
“It's going to be an incredible experience and I'm really excited,” said Cappalli.
Lane, who will compete in the all-around, has a season-high of 39.275, which she scored against NC State on Fri., Feb. 20.
“I'm really excited because it's a bigger meet. It's a great opportunity and there will be a bunch of good teams there,” said Lane.
Cappalli, who will also be an all-around competitor, has a season-high of 38.975, which she notched at Towson on Sun., Jan. 25.
The Tar Heels will compete against individual all-around qualifiers Brittany Stover of William & Mary (season-high 39.500), Tyra McKellar of Towson (season-high 39.425) and Larson Lasek of William & Mary (season-high 39.175), along with all-around gymnasts from the qualifying schools.
Lane will rotate with gymnasts from Alabama while Cappalli will rotate with Maryland.
The top two finishers in the all-around will advance to the national championships on April 17-19 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Hedelund, who will compete on the uneven bars, has a season-high of 9.875, which she notched against Towson on Sun., Jan. 25. She will compete alongside gymnasts from George Washington.
“I'm really excited to go out there and do the routine that I've been training all season long,” said Hedelund.
The event winner on uneven bars will receive a berth in the national championships if they are of a different team of the all-around qualifiers.
“Training has gone well last week and so far this week,” said head coach Derek Galvin. “They are all healthy. I think they are in a good position to go in and have a good meet.
The NCAA Auburn Regional Meet will be held on Sat., April 4 in Auburn, Ala. The meet is set to begin at 7 p.m. in Auburn Arena.
Auburn Regional (Auburn, host) – 7 p.m. ET
Teams
Alabama
Auburn
Minnesota
Iowa
Maryland
George Washington
All-Around Competitors
Morgan Lane, North Carolina
Brittany Stover, William & Mary
Tyra McKellar, Towson
Haley Watts, North Carolina
Larson Lasek, William & Mary
Alt. – Lexi Cappalli
Individual Event Specialists
Vault – Katie Sassa, Towson
Alt. – Sarah Peterson, North Carolina
Uneven bars – Kaitlynn Hedelund, North Carolina
Alt. – Lindsey Lemke, North Carolina
Balance Beam – Lauren Ross, Towson
Alt. – Brandy Stover, William & Mary
Floor Exercise – Maggie Lundeen, William & Mary
Alt. – Lexi Cappalli, North Carolina
Players Mentioned
