March 22, 1999

Towson, Md. - The North Carolina gymnastics team placed 11 of its 14 athletes on the EAGL All-Academic team which was announced Monday. Three Tar Heels seniors, Jennifer DeLuca, Ashley Simpson and Joni Smith earned the honor for the fourth straight year.

A total of 82 gymnasts were honored by the EAGL, the most in the four-year history of the league. Last year 74 gymnasts were honored while 64 gymnasts were named in 1996. There were 57 gymnasts honored back in 1996, the first year that the EAGL was in existence.

North Carolina State led the recipients, placing 17 team members on the All-Academic team, New Hampshire followed with 12 and Carolina was third with its 11 recipients.

All 82 gymnasts will be honored at the annual EAGL awards dinner on Friday evening at the University of Maryland. The fourth annual EAGL Championship meet will be held at Cole Field House on Saturday night at 6 p.m.

A listing of the North Carolina team members named to the EAGL all-academic team:

Nicole Austin*         Greensboro, NC      Sr. 3.94    Biology
Shelley Austin*        Greensboro, NC      Sr. 3.77    Biology
Jennifer DeLuca****    Cheshire, Conn.     Sr. 4.00    Biology
Meredith McDermott*    Parkland, Fla.      Jr. 3.74    Math/Geography
Jodi Meadows*          Pollocksville, NC   Jr. 3.02    Nursing
Julie Pasqualini       Woodbridge, Va.     Jr. 3.03    Business
Megan Piper**          Jacksonville, NC    Jr. 3.74    Biology
Erica Roberts**        Plano, Tex.         Jr. 3.56    Psychology
Ashley Simpson****     Charlotte, NC       Sr. 3.49    Nutrition
Joni Smith****         Asheville, NC       Sr. 3.21    French
Kelly Walker           Charlotte, NC       Jr. 3.64    Business

* indicates number of years selected to the EAGL all-academic team.