University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
George Washington
Tar Heels Host George Washington on Sunday
January 30, 2021 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina gymnastics team will continue their 2021 season on Sunday, January 31 in their home-opener against George Washington University. The competition will take place in Carmichael Arena at 2 p.m. and will serve as the team's Mental Health Awareness meet.
After a strong, program record season-opening score last weekend to defeat New Hampshire 195.200 to 194.375, the Tar Heels are looking forward to continuing to compete this season with another East Atlantic Gymnastics League match-up.
"The team is really excited to be back in Carmichael," said interim Head Coach Marie Denick. "Obviously it's going to look a little different, but I know they are excited to be home. Coming off of a really good start to our season, and a really good weekend, the confidence is there. They know we have some details to work on, but they have been hungry this week in practice to keep improving."
LAST WEEK RECAP
In the Tar Heels first meet of the season, they were able to showcase five new gymnasts: two true freshman, two sophomores, and one redshirt-freshman in Hallie Thompson, who was unable to compete last season due to injury.
These five new faces, and many others throughout the season, will aim to fill the gap left by the six senior competitors on the team who departed last spring.
The Tar Heels began the meet on the uneven bars, posting a score of 48.675. Sophomore Elizabeth Culton led the team with a score of 9.875, tying her personal best. Fellow sophomore Hannah Nam was close behind with a score if 9.800, and Greenlow was not far behind her, posting a 9.750 of her own. Culton took first place on the event and Nam landed in a tie for third.
Up next, the Tar Heels were on vault. The Tar Heels were looking to expand upon their .125 lead after their first rotation, and they were able to do so here. Junior Emery Summey led the team, taking second place on the event with a career high score of 9.850. Redshirt-sophomore Hallie Thompson was not far behind, earning a score of 9.825 to finish in fourth on the event. Junior Drew Aldridge also posted an impressive 9.775 on the event, helping the Tar Heels reach a score of 97.525 to New Hampshire's 97.325.
For the third rotation, the Tar Heels headed to the floor. Senior Lily Dean posted a score of 9.875 to tie her personal best and secure first place on the event. Teammate Elizabeth Culton helped her round out the podium with a score of 9.850, tying her own personal best. 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 moved on to the balance beam. Elizabeth Culton, the final competitor of the night, posted an impressive 9.950 to earn first place on the event and a new career-high score. The event also held a three-way tie for third place that included Emery Summey, sophomore Hannah Nam, and a New Hampshire gymnast who all earned a score of 9.775.
North Carolina's victory over New Hampshire was their first win of the season, and their first EAGL win, as well.
THE OPPONENT
The competition on Sunday will be George Washington University's season-opening competition. During the 2020 season, North Carolina defeated George Washington 196.325 to 195.550. GW finished the 2020 season in third place in the EAGL Conference (15-11, 0-5 EAGL).
"This is their first weekend competing, so as excited as we were last weekend to get going, they are going to bring that same energy to Chapel Hill," said Denick.
Players Mentioned
