University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
George Washington
Carolina to Host George Washington University for Senior Night on Friday
February 27, 2020 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina women's gymnastics team is set to host George Washington University on Friday night in Carmichael Arena as they honor the seniors on their team. Senior Night is slated to begin at 6:45 p.m. in Carmichael Arena this Friday, Feb. 28.
"This is one of the hardest things I do each year, saying good-bye to the seniors," said head coach Derek Galvin. "Even though we have another home meet with the EAGL Championships, this is their meet. This meet is the Senior Meet. These eight young women, six of them competitors this year, have meant so much to this program and to me, personally. On Friday night, I would like for this to be a joyful celebration of all that they have given to gymnastics, and hopefully what is has given back to them."
The Tar Heels currently hold a 6-5 (4-4 EAGL) record and are looking to improve that this weekend as they take on another EAGL opponent in George Washington University. As a whole, the North Carolina women's gymnastics team currently ranks 20th in the nation on vault and 26th on floor exercise. Their rank on vault is an improvement of 10 places from last weeks positioning.
LAST WEEK
The Tar Heels competed in one home and one away meet last week, both against the University of New Hampshire. There were numerous season-best and personal-best scores posted both as individuals and as a team to help UNC defeat the Wildcats twice after taking third place in a tri meet against them with NC State.
The Tar Heels were able to post a season-best score on vault in both meets with a 49.150. In Monday's meet, the Heels swept the podium with stand-out performances from their seniors. Seniors Khazia Hislop, Mikayla Robinson, and Alexis Allen earned first, second and third place respectively with scores of 9.900, 9.850, and 9.825. In Sunday's meet, Hislop posted another 9.900 to secure another first place finish. Hislop is currently ranked 8th in the nation on vault. Sophomore Drew Aldridge and Robinson were close behind with a score of 9.825 to tie for fourth place in New Hampshire.
North Carolina was also able to secure a season-best score on the uneven bars last week with a score of 48.875 in Monday's meet. Freshman Elizabeth Culton tied for first-place on the event with a team-leading and personal-best score of 9.875. She was followed close behind by senior Grace Donaghy who posted a season-high 9.825. On Sunday in New Hampshire, the team posted a consistent 48.775 on the event. Donaghy posted a personal best 9.850 to secure a first-place finish on the event, with sophomore Emery Summey and freshman Sophie Silverstein coming in close behind with scores of 9.750.
The team displayed their grit, determination, and concentration in the last two events of both meets against New Hampshire: balance beam and floor exercise. North Carolina needed to post consistent scores across the board to maintain the lead that they had gained in both meets, and they were able to do just that.
Elizabeth Culton had the team-leading score on balance beam in both meets, posting a 9.825 for third place on Monday and a 9.900 for first place on Sunday. Culton's 9.900 score ties her personal best on this event. Allen also tied a personal best on this event on Sunday with a score of 9.875, her highest score of the season.
On the floor, Khazia Hislop posted consistent 9.900s in both meets to claim first place on the podium. On Monday, Culton and Robinson each finished with scores of 9.825 to tie for third place, but on the following Sunday in New Hampshire, Robinson improved her score to 9.850. In New Hampshire, junior Lily Dean stood out with a strong score of 9.775 to help secure the Tar Heel's victory in front of hometown family and friends.
Elizabeth Culton was able to secure a first-place finish in the all-around competition in Monday's meet with a personal best score of 39.275.
THE OPPONENT
This will be the first of two competitions between the University of North Carolina and George Washington University this season. The two teams will also see each other at a five meet hosted by the University of Maryland on March 15. George Washington will also be traveling to Chapel Hill for the EAGL Championships on March 21.
"These are two very evenly matched teams," said Galvin. "George Washington is a strong program with a very talented team and last weekend things seemed to come together for them."
Players Mentioned
