UNC Triumphs in 1st Home Meet

In their first home meet of the season, the Tar Heels scored 193.825 points to defeat Bowling Green State (192.675) and George Washington (191.9) to avenge early-season losses to both opponents.

"We knew both Bowling Green and George Washington were going to be tough competitors for us," said UNC gymnast Monica Middleton. "And we were just excited that we were able to put everything together today."

Middleton and Anna Wilson led the way for North Carolina (10-6), placing first and second, respectively, in the all-around competition.

The duo also contributed to UNC's domination on the balance beam, placing second and fourth. Lisa Companioni won the event for the Tar Heels with a score of 9.800, and North Carolina gymnasts turned in five of the top six scores.

"We've got a very talented group on that event, but this is the first meet we've looked that good on the beam," said North Carolina coach Derek Galvin. "It's been coming. We've got fairly high degree of difficulty on the routines, and it's coming together now."

The Tar Heels fared well on the floor exercises, too. Olivia Trusty won the event with a score of 9.900, and Middleton and Maddy Curley tied for third place with 9.825.

"That was very exciting because I messed up at the last meet, and I had a chance to redeem myself," Curley said. "It's just so fun to be at home and do floor because the crowd gets really into it."

Trusty's routine energized the crowd and the Tar Heels, Galvin said.

"It's the kind of routine that involves the crowd, and gets our team excited," he said. "She did a good job with her tumbling, and a very good job with all her dance."

North Carolina also dominated the vault, notching four of the top six scores in the event. UNC's only weakness was the parallel bars, where its highest finisher was Middleton in sixth place. Bowling Green State took four of the top five positions on bars to challenge the Tar Heels in the overall team competition.

Galvin acknowledged a need to become more consistent on the bars, but he was happy overall with his team's performance in its homecoming.

"When you compete at home there's a little bit more adrenaline and excitement," he said. "And I was very pleased with the way our team performed."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.