April 14, 1999

CHAPEL HILL, NC - The University of North Carolina wrapped up its gymnastics season this weekend at the NCAA Regional Championships with the same success it experienced all season. Sophomore Brooke Wilson and Freshman Monica Middleton represented the Tar Heels in the all-around competition in the meet last weekend in Morgantown, WV.

Wilson capped one of the most successful seasons by a Carolina all-around competitor by finishing ninth in the region with a 38.825 final score. More importantly, that finish was enough to earn Wilson a 14th place National Qualifying Score for an individual all-arounder which makes her the second alternate for the NCAA National Championships. The score was also a new Carolina school record for an NCAA all-around finish.

Middleton finished 21st in her first year at the Regional Championships. Her 37.100 score was a strong showing for a first time at Regionals.

The meet marks the end of the season for one of the most successful squads in Tar Heels history. The team set several new individual and team records including finishing with a school record 17 wins. The squad also went undefeated in Carmichael Auditorium, 6-0, for the first time in school history and recorded an all-time school-high team total 95.050 against Towson and Rhode Island.

The Tar Heels started the season strong and never looked back, claiming victories in dual meets over William and Mary, Radford, James Madison and Auburn. Carolina also claimed second at the annual Governor's Cup held in Raleigh, defeating Maryland and Towson with a score of 193.325. More importantly, the Tar Heels and N.C. State teamed up to bring the coveted Governor's Cup trophy back to North Carolina, as the two schools combined for a score of 386.875 to defeat the Maryland schools who finished with a combined 386.075.

The team highlight of the Carolina season came in a home meet against Auburn. The #21 Tigers came to Chapel Hill favored, but strong individual performances by senior Jennifer DeLuca, freshman Monica Middleton and sophomore Brooke Wilson pushed the Heels past the Tigers 193.450-192.375. Carolina also swept the top three places on the uneven bars and set a new school record totaling 49.125. Members of that record setting squad included De Luca (9.750), Wilson (9.750) and Middleton (9.700).

Perhaps the most notable accomplishment for Carolina was Wilson's all-around dominance. Wilson claimed seven all-around titles in a row and finished second only twice all season at the Florida Invitational and against NC State. Wilson broke her own school record in the all-around with a 39.2 score against Towson and Rhode Island.

Jennifer DeLuca proved to be an invaluable senior leader for the Heels, consistently finishing in the top three on the uneven bars. Middleton showed steady improvement through the season tying her personal best of 38.625 at the Florida Invitational.

DeLuca also proved to be an academic ambassador for the gymnastics team earning the EAGL Scholar Athlete of the Year, the UNC Athletic Director's Scholar Athlete of the Year, the ACC Senior Scholar Athlete Award and being named for the third year to the NCAGC Scholar All-American team.

DeLuca is one of five graduating seniors on the 1999 team. Ashley Simpson, Joni Smith, Nicole Austin and Shelley Austin also completed their careers as Tar Heels.