University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
New Hampshire
Carolina Defeats New Hampshire in Season Opener
January 22, 2021 | Women's Gymnastics
DURHAM, N.H. – North Carolina women's gymnastics traveled to the University of New Hampshire on Friday night to take on the 2020 co-regular season champions to start the season. After a close first two rotations, the Tar Heels were able to take the lead over the Wildcats and defeated New Hampshire with a final score of 195.200 to 194.375.
The Tar Heel's 195.2 total points set a program record for points in a season-opener.
The Tar Heels' lineups tonight showcased five new faces: two true freshman, two sophomores, and one redshirt-freshman in Hallie Thompson, who was unable to compete last season due to injury. Greenlow was North Carolina's only all-around competitor of the night and took third place behind two New Hampshire gymnasts by narrow margins.
North Carolina began the meet on the uneven bars, posting a score of 48.675. Sophomore Elizabeth Culton led the team with score of 9.875, but was followed close behind by fellow sophomore Hannah Nam with a 9.800. Culton took first place on the event and Nam tied for third with a gymnast from New Hampshire. Greenlow had the third-highest score for the Tar Heels with a score of 9.750 and freshman Kate Greene was not far behind with a score of 9.725. Junior Emery Summey rounded out the scores for the Tar Heels in their first rotation with a score of 9.625.
Up next, the Tar Heels were on vault. Following the first rotation, the Tar Heels led the Wildcats by a score of .125 and looked to improve upon that in this rotation. Leading the team, Emery Summey took second place on this event with a career high score of 9.850. Hallie Thompson was close behind with a score of 9.825, landing her in fourth place overall. Junior Drew Aldridge posted an impressive 9.775, and Brianna Greenlow was close behind with a score of 9.700. Sophomore Julianna Weil also posted a notable 9.600 to help their lead improve to .200, leading 97.525 to 97.325.
North Carolina headed to the floor for the third rotation, where senior Lily Dean tied her personal best to secure a tie for first place on the event with a score of 9.875. Teammate Elizabeth Culton helped her to round out the podium with a score of 9.850 to tie her own personal best. Hannah Nam had the Tar Heels' third-highest score with a 9.725, and Brianna Greenlow trailed close behind with a score of 9.700. Following this rotation, the Tar Heels were able to improve their lead to 146.300 to 145.625, a .675 margin.
For their final rotation, the team took on the beam. Elizabeth Culton, the final competitor of the night, posted an impressive 9.950 to secure first place on the event and secure a new career-high score. The event held a three-way tie for third place that included Emery Summey and Hannah Nam who both posted a score of 9.775. Brianna Greenlow took the next slot, earning a 9.750. Hallie Thompson's score of 9.700 rounded out the team score on beam and secured their win over New Hampshire.
North Carolina's victory over New Hampshire marks their first win of the season, and their first East Atlantic Gymnastic League win, as well.
The Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for their next competition and home-opener that is set take place Sunday, January 31st against George Washington University in Carmichael Arena at 2 p.m.
Players Mentioned
