Dec. 27, 2005

After missing a team national bid by .05 points in 2003, .025 points in 2004, and 1.075 points in 2005, the North Carolina gymnastics team has renewed its focus and has its sights set on making 2006 a historical year. That will happen if the team can earn the program's first team bid to the NCAA Championships.

Last year, Carolina came tantalizingly close for the third consecutive season. However, the tinge of disappointment did not overshadow what was otherwise and outstanding season. In 2005, Carolina won its second East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championship and placed third at the NCAA Regional Championships for the third year in a row. The competitive season concluded with Courtney Bumpers successfully defending her 2004 national floor exercise title with her ninth career 10.0. Academically, Carolina again served as a benchmark program as every member of the squad earned EAGL All-Academic honors. The team's overall grade point average was its highest in the program's history and was second in the nation. Ranked 22nd in the nation in the 2006 preseason poll, Carolina has one objective clearly defined in their minds: capturing a team bid to the NCAA Gymnastics Championships.

Leading the Tar Heels into competition are two of the most experienced NCAA gymnasts in Carolina history, Bumpers and fellow senior Mikel Hester. Bumpers, a three-time All-America, and Hester, a three time NCAA regional all-around competitor, will share the leadership role with senior Cecilia Liu.

"The seniors are focused on making this another great year for the team," says Galvin. "It would be a great conclusion to their collegiate careers if we make it to the championships as a team. While I want a nationals qualification for the entire team, I especially want it for the three seniors, because they've almost made it three years in a row. I want them to finish together at the NCAA championships."

The passion and experience of the senior class are two of the keys to the Tar Heels' success this year. "We lost some very important people from last year," says Galvin, who must replace starters Olivia Trusty, Elisabeth Alsop and Amy Williams. "Those graduated seniors were here during the four most successful years in UNC history. Their absences are greatly felt, but I'm confident the team will do its best to make up for the loss with their hard work and dedication."

Galvin, who enters his 25th year at Carolina, predicts the team's adjustment to the lack of depth will be one of the biggest challenges the team will have to face. He is confident the returning letterwinners, which include such strong competitors as juniors Christine Robella and Courtney Turco, and sophomores Shawna Kelly and Alice Xu will be up to the task. Add to that an outstanding freshman class that includes Rachel Schneider and Jennifer Valby and the Tar Heels have a solid nucleus entering 2006.

Making the new season even more challenging will be what Galvin calls "the toughest schedule a Tar Heel team has had to face in many years." In addition to meets against SEC powerhouses, Florida, Arkansas, and Kentucky, Carolina will also face tough competition in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League. NC State, Maryland, George Washington, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, New Hampshire, and Rutgers all appear to have improved this season, and Galvin believes that any team is capable of winning this year's EAGL Championship.

VAULT
Like last season, vault is an event where Carolina lacks depth. There are just seven vaulters on the team this year. Bumpers, Robella, Hester, Turco and Shawna Kelly all competed last year and should be consistent performers once again in 2006. New to the lineup are freshmen Schneider and Valby. Valby is a former Junior Olympic champion on vault and is expected to be one of the stronger vaulters on the team.

Christine and Courtney are two of the most impressive vaulters ever to compete for Carolina, and they both look stronger than they did last year," says Galvin.

Hester, who underwent shoulder surgery during the post season last spring, is progressing well. "Because of our lack of depth, we really need Mikel on vault, and I'm confident that she will be able to compete there," Galvin says.

Valby has been focusing on the Yurchenco full and Yurchenco 1 1/2 twist vaults. Likewise, Kelly and Schneider are also training Yurchenco vaults. Bumpers will perform the same Phelps vault she did last year, which already has a 10.0 start value. She also has been training a few new vaults which may be used as the season evolves. Hester, Robella, and Turco all perform front handspring front flip vaults. Robella is one of the few college gymnasts capable of performing a front handspring front flip vault with a full twist in layout position.

UNEVEN BARS
The loss of two of the programs top competitors, Alsop and Trusty, will require continued improvement on the uneven bars by the returning gymnasts. Bumpers, Hester, Liu, Robella, Kelly, Claire Smith and Alice Xu all return with experience on bars from last season.

As a team, we are focused on continuing to improve our execution," says Galvin. "Smith and Kelly in particular have shown strong signs of improvement during the preseason."

New to the lineup are freshmen Valby and Schneider. Schneider is a former Junior Olympic champion on the uneven bars. She has exceptional height on her release move and has a dynamic performance style on the event. She and Valby both show signs that they can contribute significantly on the uneven bars.

It will be interesting to see how our uneven bars lineup progresses," Galvin says. "It's going to be extremely important that we establish a group of consistent performers early in the season."

BALANCE BEAM
Balance beam could be one of the stronger events for the Tar Heels in 2006. Bumpers returns as the team's top beam performer. She finished first on beam at five meets last season, and finished second on the event at the EAGL Championships. Hester, who has a strong, well-executed routine, also will represent the senior class on the event. Robella, who was the EAGL Gymnast of the Week twice last season, should be again one of the Tar Heels' top beam competitors.

From the junior class, Turco, Smith and Miranda Ross provide needed depth. In addition, Xu, Kelly, and Angela Lauten are prepared to play a role in the rotation.

Last year, Alice grew more proficient in the event as the season progressed. And already this season she, Shawna and Angela have all shown they are eager to step into the balance beam lineup and provide strong performances," says Galvin.

Both freshmen have also shown great potential and strength on the balance beam and are expected to compete for a spot in the lineup. "Our focus on beam in the fall has been on developing creative elements and combinations that enhance the artistic quality of our routines," explains Galvin. "The desire is to have unique beam routines that stand out for their artistry."

In an effort to achieve this outcome, the Tar Heels have added volunteer coach Shirley Tranquill to the staff. Tranquill has an impressive gymnastics resume as both a coach and a judge. Her efforts with the team have been focused on developing creative and unique elements on both balance beam and floor exercise.

"I've known Shirley for many years as a judge and choreographer, and I have a tremendous respect for all that she has given to this sport," says Galvin. "Penny and I are delighted that she has been willing to share her creative talent and knowledge with our team. I'm confident she will have a great influence on the team.

FLOOR EXERCISE
Floor exercise should again prove to be the Tar Heels' strongest event in 2006. Thanks to outstanding performances from Bumpers, Hester and Robella, floor exercise was the team's best event in 2005. On floor exercise last year, Bumpers led the Tar Heels by capturing the event title at the EAGL championships, NCAA Regional Championships and the NCAA Championships.

Robella's impressive tumbling skills and Hester's exceptional execution and performance qualities are tremendous assets to the team on this event. Valby, a former Junior Olympic champion on the event is also expected to have a significant impact and be one of the top performers on floor.

The remaining two spots in the floor exercise lineup will be up for grabs between Turco, Kelly, Xu, Smith, Ross, Lauten and Schneider. Turco gained valuable competitive experience last year and has shown steady progress during the preseason.

One of the main differences in the floor exercise this year is the addition of more challenging front tumbling combinations. A change in the judges' code of points requires the use of more difficult forward tumbling to satisfy the bonus element requirements. According to Galvin, all seven gymnasts have shown great improvement and are capable of earning a spot in the lineup.

Because Carolina has a smaller roster this season, each gymnast has received more individualized attention in the preseason, especially on floor exercise. New music and choreography has been added to the majority of the routines. The team began choreography earlier in the season and the coaching staff hopes this change will result in a quicker display of consistency and proficiency in the event.

The 2006 season opens on Thursday, Jan. 12 at the George Washington Invitational. The Tar Heels are optimistic about the upcoming season and excited about a schedule that includes five home meets.

"In addition to our home meets, we also compete at the Wolfpack Invitational in Raleigh," says Galvin. "With six local meets, half of our competitions are going to be an easy drive for our local fans and supporters. Gymnastics fans will have more opportunities than in any previous year to come see our team and cheer them on."

"Because of the type of people we have on this team, I see tremendous potential for this to be a fantastic year," Galvin continues. "We have a group with great personalities. The ladies work well together, and they have already shown a strong commitment to the team objectives and to each other. Regardless of whether we achieve the goal of qualifying the entire team to the national championships, it is the commitment they make to one another and the way they help each other grow, that will be the ultimate measure of their success."