April 22, 2006

Corvallis, Ore. - Junior Christine Robella has been named an All-America on floor exercise after her eighth place finish on floor exercise Thursday at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships. This honor is the first of Robella's career and the fourth received in the history of Carolina gymnastics.

"We're really excited for her," Coach Derek Galvin said. "It's been a great year for the whole team, and Christine represented the team so well at nationals."

Robella, who was making her first trip to nationals, went four-for-four on all her routines and finished in a tie for fourteenth place in the all-around competition. She also set a new Carolina record by hitting 51 out of 51 performances this year without counting a single fall on any event.

Christine Robella joins Courtney Bumpers as the only two Tar Heels to ever be named All-America in gymnastics. Senior Courtney Bumpers earned the honor on balance beam in 2003 and floor exercise in 2004 and 2005.