March 3, 2006

The University of North Carolina gymnastics team will host the Tar Heel Invitational Saturday, March 4 at 1 p.m. In its second to last home meet of the season, Carolina will compete against West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania.

The Tar Heels are also hosting their first ever Women's Health Fair in conjunction with the Tar Heel Invitational. The Health Fair, which begins at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, is honoring women whose lives have been affected by cancer. The gymnasts hope that many people will come and show their support as they "Flip for the Fight" against cancer.

The North Carolina gymnastics team enters the meet with a record of 12-8. Carolina is coming off a second place finish at home against NC State and George Washington on Feb. 26. The Tar Heels' score of 194.350 was enough to secure the runner-up spot, while the Wolfpack finished first (195.675), followed by the Colonials in third with a score of 192.75. At the meet, Sophomore Shawna Kelly landed a career high of 9.800 on uneven bars.

The East Atlantic Gymnastics League named Courtney Bumpers as its EAGL Gymnast of the Week for the final week of February. Bumpers won two all-around titles in three days with scores of 39.400 at the Wolfpack Invitational on Friday, Feb. 24, and a 39.325 at home on Sunday, Feb. 26.

This is the second match-up between Carolina and West Virginia. Both teams competed in a quad meet on Feb. 10 in Gainesville, Florida. The North Carolina gymnastics team struggled at the meet, finishing fourth with a score of 193.125. Host team Florida finished in first place with a score of 196.950. West Virginia claimed second (194.200), and Arkansas narrowly trailed for third place with a score 194.025.

The first ever Women's Health Fair begins at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday March 4, followed by the Tar Heel Invitational at 1 p.m. in Carmichael Auditorium.