April 4, 2009
Final Results
Raleigh, N.C.- Coming off two weeks of intense practice and preparation, the University of North Carolina gymnastics team traveled to N.C. State University for the fourth time in the 2009 season to face a strong competitive environment in front of a crowd of 1,725. Along with EAGL rival N.C. State who hosted the NCAA Southeast Regional at Reynolds Coliseum, the Tar Heels also saw competition from top-ranked Georgia, Penn St., Nebraska, and West Virginia. The UNC gymnastics team placed fifth in the meet, scoring 194.125 as a team. Only the top two teams of the meet, Georgia and Penn State, will advance to the NCAA Championships in Lincoln, Neb. hosted by the University of Nebraska April 16-18.
"We started off with solid team performances on the first three events," said head coach Derek Galvin. "I thought the team did a great job on beam today, even though it can be tricky to start on that event. We went on to floor and were able to shake the demons from our meet at EAGL Championships. We had six solid floor routines. I was really please with our team vault. We had Karli Jones in the lineup this meet. On bars, we warmed up great. We looked good in the early warm-up and in the 30-second touch, but things just didn't go our way."
Krista Jasper started the meet off for the Tar Heels off on beam in their eighth straight NCAA Regional meet, scoring 9.550. Junior Christine Nguyen led the Tar Heels on beam, earning a 9.775 with an eleventh place finish. Freshman Zoya Johnson posted a 9.750 on beam. Junior Kara Wright scored a 9.650 and freshman Morgan Evans scored a 9.625. The Tar Heels finished beam with a team score of 48.350.
On floor, the UNC gymnastics team was led by Wright, who posted a 9.825 on the event in ninth place. Senior
Rachel Schneider placed just behind her with a score of 9.800. Nguyen and Evans tied with a score of 9.775. Freshman
Krista Jasper earned a 9.750 and the Tar Heel scored 48.925 on floor.
Vault was the next rotation for the UNC gymnasts as they scored a 49.100 as a team. Evans, Johnson, and senior Jennifer Valby all scored a 9.850 on vault in a seven-way tie for eighth. Nguyen and Wright also tied with a score of 9.775 on vault. Sophomore Karli Jones scored a 9.600 for all the Tar Heel vault competitors to finish with a 9.600 or higher.
For their last event, the UNC gymnastics team rotated to bars, where they were led by Evans, who posted a personal best 9.825 to earn an eighth place finish. Jasper scored 9.775 and Johnson earned a score of 9.750. On bars, the UNC gymnastics team posted a 47.750.
"It's been a long year for us. We've been on the road all season," said Galvin. "Just qualifying for this meet was an accomplishment. We know what we've got to focus on next year; we've got to finish strong. And, hopefully we'll have some home meets next year in Chapel Hill."
Despite their strong efforts, the 2009 season came to an end for the Tar Heels at Reynolds Coliseum on Saturday, April 4. The Tar Heels recognize the valuable contributions they will lose next year from senior leaders Schneider and Valby.
Team Scores
1. Georgia - 197.700
2. Penn State - 195.800
3. Nebraska - 194.450
4. West Virginia - 194.225
5. North Carolina - 194.125
6. NC State - 193.800
Vault - 49.100
8. Jennifer Valby - 9.850
8. Morgan Evans - 9.850
8. Zoya Johnson - 9.850
26. Christine Nguyen - 9.775
26. Kara Wright - 9.775
40. Karli Jones - 9.600
Bars - 47.750
8. Morgan Evans - 9.825
14. Krista Jasper - 9.775
18. Zoya Johnson - 9.750
34. Kara Wright - 9.325
40. Christine Nguyen - 9.075
41. Rachel Schneider - 9.050
Beam - 48.350
11. Christine Nguyen - 9.775
12. Zoya Johnson - 9.750
21. Kara Wright - 9.650
24. Morgan Evans - 9.625
32. Krista Jasper - 9.550
39. Kristina Jacob - 9.100
Floor - 48.925
9. Kara Wright - 9.825
14. Rachel Schneider - 9.800
24. Christine Nguyen - 9.775
24. Morgan Evans - 9.775
28. Krista Jasper - 9.750
41. Taylor Brown - 9.500
All-Around
6. Morgan Evans - 39.075
11. Kara Wright - 38.575
13. Christine Nguyen - 38.400
