University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Pittsburgh
Tar Heels Dismantle Panthers on Senior Day
March 7, 2015 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – On Senior Day in Carmichael Arena, North Carolina squared off against Pittsburgh on Saturday, defeating the Panthers 194.700-194.450. The Tar Heels placed three gymnasts in the top four of the all-around competition.
“I'm very pleased for them – as hard as they have worked – that they got that result,” said head coach Derek Galvin.
In the all-around competition, Morgan Lane finished in second place with a score of 39.100. Lexi Cappalli notched a 38.875, taking third place, and Kaitlynn Hedelund scored a 38.400, finishing in fourth place.
Haley Watts was unable to compete in this afternoon's meet due to a season-ending knee injury.
“Haley was in the huddle before each event,” said Galvin. “She was the voice to the team and kept them at a high level in terms of focus and intensity.”
Carolina began this afternoon's competition on vault, scoring a 48.150. The Tar Heels placed four gymnasts in the top 10. Lane notched a 9.775, tying for first place among all competitors. Cappalli scored a 9.700, tying for sixth place. Sarah Peterson had a 9.650, taking ninth place, and Josselyn Mackey notched a 9.525, placing tenth. In addition, Lauren Weisel added a 9.500 for the Tar Heels.
“I felt that the team did a very good job on bars, did a great job on beam and the way they finished up on floor was strong. That was the difference in the meet. We were behind and we had to come back,” said Galvin.
The Tar Heels next competed on the uneven bars, which proved to the team's strongest apparatus of the afternoon. UNC notched a score of 49.100. Carolina placed four gymnasts in the top six of competition. Lindsey Lemke scored a season-high 9.875, which was good for first place. Hedelund had a 9.850, tying for second place. Acacia Cosentino notched a season-high score of 9.825, finishing in fifth place. Cappalli scored a 9.800, tying for sixth place.
On the balance beam, UNC scored a 48.725. Carolina placed five gymnasts in the top five of competition. Beam specialist Janell Sargent scored a 9.850, taking first place. Mackey and Hedelund both notched scores of 9.750, tying for fourth place. Mackey's score represents her season-best. Lane had a 9.700, taking seventh place, and Cappalli had a 9.675, placing eighth.
The Tar Heels concluded this afternoon's competition on the floor exercise where the team scored a 48.725. UNC placed four gymnasts in the top seven. Lane finished in first place, tying her season-high score of 9.875. Kristin Aloi notched a season-high score of 9.825, finishing third. Weisel had a 9.725, tying for fifth, and Cappalli scored a 9.700, tying for seventh. In addition, Hedelund added a 9.600.
Following the conclusion of the meet, the four senior gymnasts – Haley Watts, Acacia Cosentino, Janell Sargent and Kristin Aloi – were honored for their numerous accomplishments over the past four years.
“We head down to Auburn next week. Auburn is a strong, strong team. We've got to continue to push hard and get ready for that meet,” said Galvin.
UNC will return to action on Sat, March 13 in Auburn, Ala. for the final regular season competition. The Tar Heels will take on Auburn at 7 p.m. in Auburn Arena.
Players Mentioned
