University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Travel to Washington, D.C. for Pink Meet
February 17, 2016 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gymnastics team will return to action on Friday, Feb. 19 in Washington, D.C. for a Pink Meet. The Tar Heels will compete against two highly ranked East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) opponents, No. 17 George Washington and No. 29 New Hampshire, and one non-conference opponent, William & Mary. The meet is set to begin at 7 p.m. in the Charles E. Smith Center.
This will be North Carolina's third competition against both George Washington and William & Mary in the 2016 season.
On Friday, Feb. 12, UNC hosted NC State and William & Mary for a Pink Meet in Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels placed second with a score of 193.000, defeating the Tribe (192.400), but falling to the Wolfpack (194.050).
Due to injuries to several gymnasts, North Carolina was only able to enter five gymnasts in three rotations – vault, beam and floor. Although there was minimal room for error, the team was able to overcome significant adversity and post a solid team performance.
“We're hoping to have six people on at least three events, possibly four,” said UNC head coach Derek Galvin.
Galvin continued, “We hopefully will have Sarah Peterson back on at least one event, maybe two. We hope to have Madison Nettles back on vault."
UNC hopes to bring a healthy team to Washington, D.C., and build on the momentum gained during this past weekend's competition.
Several Tar Heel gymnasts had notable performances on Friday, which resulted in 10 season-best scores.
On the vault, all five UNC gymnasts notched season-best scores on the apparatus, which included Christina Pheil (9.500), Lexi Cappalli (9.550), Kaitlynn Hedelund (9.875), Morgan Lane (9.775) and Lauren Weisel (9.625). Hedelund's score represented a career-best, which earned her a first place finish on the apparatus.
Four Tar Heel gymnasts – Pheil (9.600), Cappalli (9.625), Hedelund (9.825) and Josselyn Mackey (9.775) – had season best scores on the balance beam. Hedelund's score was a career-best, and she earned second place among all competitors.
Additionally, Pheil scored a season-high of 38.225 in the all-around competition to take seventh place.
This weekend's opponents:
-On Friday, No. 17 George Washington travelled to Oklahoma City, Okla. to compete in the Perfect 10 Challenge against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 12 Denver and No. 30 Utah State. The Colonials placed in third in a stacked field with a score of 195.750, defeating Utah State (195.100), but falling to Oklahoma (197.675) and Denver (196.000). George Washington notched four podium finishes during the competition.
-No. 29 New Hampshire defeated Southern Connecticut State, 194.100-190.425, in Durham, N.H. to move to 9-3 on the season. Danielle Doolin led the Wildcats to victory with a first-place finish in the all-around competition (38.825) and top two finishes on both the vault (9.800) and floor exercise (9.850).
-William & Mary travelled to Chapel Hill, N.C., on Friday to take on NC State and North Carolina. The Tribe posted a season-high score of 192.400 to take third place in the competition. The team notched season-high scores on the vault (48.650), balance beam (47.975) and floor exercise (48.700).
“George Washington and New Hampshire are the top two teams in the EAGL right now so we've got our hands full,” said Galvin. “But we are looking forward to that challenge.”
Following Friday's competition, North Carolina will return to Carmichael Arena on Friday, Feb. 26 for the team's final home meet of the 2016 season. The Tar Heels will take on Rutgers starting at 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
