Jan. 24, 2004

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Starting out slow but finishing strong, the No. 27 Maryland gymnastics team narrowly lost to No. 25 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Saturday, 194.375-194.900. The Terps battled back from a large deficit early on and were able to close the gap thanks to several impressive individual performances.

One Terp to walk away with an event title was senior Sarah Hoenig, who notched a career-high tying 9.925 on the balance beam. The mark ties the second-highest beam score in program history, a mark she hit three times last season. Also scoring big on beam was sophomore Alex Gatch, who tied for third overall with a 9.825 on the difficult apparatus. Junior Leah Brill and sophomore Rachel Martinez followed close behind, with scores of 9.750 and 9.700, respectively.

It was Martinez who led the team on the floor exercise, notching a 9.850 to place tied for fourth. With a superb combination of showmanship and skill, three other Terps posted a 9.800 or above on the event. Tying for sixth with scores of 9.825 were Hoenig and sophomores Cameron Logan and Ginny Scott. Taking first on the event was North Carolina's Olivia Trusty, with a 9.925.

The team had a solid performance on the vault as well, with three gymnasts scoring a 9.700 or better. Leading the way was Martinez, who tied for second by posting a 9.850-her second 9.850 on the night. The next-best Terp on the apparatus was senior Rachel Sibert, who stuck a difficult blind landing to score a 9.800. Trusty again took the event title for the Tar Heels with a 9.950.

Typically a strong event for the Terps, the uneven bars were a weak point for the team on Saturday. Fortunately, junior Mandy Pascual contributed her best effort, posting a 9.850 for the third time this season. The school record-holder in her specialty, Pascual tied for second on the apparatus in Chapel Hill. Coming in right behind her tied for fourth was Martinez with a 9.800.

In the all-around, it was Trusty taking first for North Carolina with a 39.500, followed by teammate Christine Robella, just 0.025 behind. Martinez scored a 39.200 to take third in the meet.

Although dropping to 0-4 on the year, the young Terp squad has continued to post high team scores against several higher-ranked opponents. This has led to the team rising two spots in the national rankings from its preseason standing. Next up for the Terps will be their first home meet of the season, as they host Temple, James Madison and Towson on Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. in Ritchie Coliseum.

Maryland Gymnastics Scores, Jan. 24 at North Carolina
VAULT
Rachel Martinez 9.850
Rachel Sibert 9.800
Sarah Hoenig 9.725
Katherine Schroeder 9.675
Rachel Colon 9.675
Rebecca Ruppert 9.650

UNEVEN BARS
Mandy Pascual 9.850
Rachel Martinez 9.800
Rachel Colon 9.775
Marisa St. Louis 9.600
Rachel Sibert 8.825
Leah Brill 7.925

BALANCE BEAM
Sarah Hoenig 9.925
Alexandria Gatch 9.825
Leah Brill 9.750
Rachel Martinez 9.700
Rachel Colon 9.675
Cameron Logan 9.225

FLOOR EXERCISE
Rachel Martinez 9.850
Sarah Hoenig 9.825
Cameron Logan 9.825
Ginny Scott 9.825
Marisa St. Louis 9.600

ALL-AROUND
Rachel Martinez 39.200