Jan. 19, 2006
The North Carolina gymnastics team placed first Thursday night to beat William & Mary. Competing in their first home meet of the season, Carolina outscored the Tribe 191.425-184.350. The Tar Heels' record improves to 6-0 after two meets this season.
"I'm very pleased with the results of the meet," said head coach Derek Galvin. "I was particularly proud of the team's enthusiasm and hard work."
Christine Robella won the all-around for the second straight meet with a
score of 39.125. The junior, who was named EAGL Gymnasts of the Week after her strong performance at the George Washington Invitational, recorded a win on uneven bars and finished in first place on the balance beam. She also finished second on floor exercise and vault.
Senior Courtney Bumpers, who finished second in the all-around, also excelled at the meet. In addition to placing first on vault, the two-time floor exercise national champion looked especially strong on floor exercise finishing first with a season-high score of 9.900.
The Tar Heels swept the top three spots on floor exercise, balance beam, and on vault and had four of the top five spots on uneven bars. The win was especially impressive given that the team had just competed less than a week ago at the George Washington Invitational.
"There were signs of fatigue which we had anticipated; so we're going to take a few days off to rest their legs before the next meet," Galvin said. "We've been training hard and it shows, but that's what we have to do to get ready this early in the season."
Galvin said in addition to the strong meet by Robella, Bumpers, and senior Mikel Hester, he was extremely proud of junior Claire Smith. Smith had her best meet of the season finishing second on uneven bars with a score of 9.575.
The Tar Heels will return to action Sunday, Jan. 29, when the team hosts powerhouses, Kentucky, Maryland, and James Madison. The meet will take place at 1 p.m at Carmichael Auditorium.
Team Scores
1. North Carolina 191.425
2. William & Mary 184.350
Carolina's Scores
Vault (48.300, 1st)
1. Courtney Bumpers 9.800
2. Christine Robella 9.775
3. Mikel Hester 9.700
5. Jennifer Valby 9.675
6. Sarrie Rubin 9.550
8. Courtney Turco 9.375
Bars (47.425, 1st)
1. Christine Robella 9.775
2t. Claire Smith 9.575
4. Cecilia Liu 9.500
5. Jennifer Valby 9.450
8. Courtney Bumpers 9.125
9. Shawna Kelly 8.925
Beam (48.125, 1st)
1. Christine Robella 9.775
2. Mikel Hester 9.700
3. Courtney Bumpers 9.675
5. Claire Smith 9.525
6. Sarrie Rubin 9.450
10. Courtney Turco 9.200
Floor (47.575, 1st)
1. Courtney Bumpers 9.900
2. Christine Robella 9.800
3. Mikel Hester 9.675
6. Alice Xu 9.350
7. Sarrie Rubin 8.850
9. Courtney Turco 8.700
All-Around
1. Christine Robella 39.125
2. Courtney Bumpers 38.500
