Sept. 12, 2006

Chapel Hill, N.C. ----- University of North Carolina gymnast Christine Nguyen, a member of the USA National Gymnastics Team, will perform at the World Championships Verification Camp Sept. 12-16. At the conclusion of the camp, the National gymnastics staff along with director Marta Karoyli will select six gymnasts to represent the U.S. at the World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, Oct. 7-23, 2006.

USA Gymnastics, the organization charged with fielding the Women's Gymnastics Olympic and World Championship Teams, is hosting the event at the Karoyli Ranch near Houston, Texas.

Nguyen, a freshman at Carolina, secured her position on the USA National Team by placing ninth in the All-Around at the 2006 USA Elite National Championships held in St. Paul, Minnesota, Aug. 16-19. When Nguyen learned she was selected for the Worlds Verification Camp, she chose to remain enrolled in school in Chapel Hill, attend classes and train with her new collegiate teammates and coaches.

"It means a lot to the team that Christine decided to stay here and train at UNC for the biggest event of her gymnastics career," said co-captain and senior gymnast Claire Smith.

"I think it was a great move for Christine to stay here and train," said senior teammate and 2006 NCAA All-American, Christine Robella. "She has been able to bond with the team and begin this new phase of her life."

Prior to enrolling at North Carolina, Christine trained under the direction of elite coaches, Yevgeny Marchenko and Natasha Boyarskyaya at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Plano, Texas. Coach Marchenko also coached 2004 Olympic All-Around Gold medalist Carly Patterson.

Senior Carolina gymnast Miranda Ross is also a former teammate of Nguyen's at WOGA. "It's really exciting to be Christine's teammate again after three years," said Ross. "Watching her practice and cheering her on as she prepares for the Worlds selection camp is a real motivation for everyone on the team to push themselves harder."

Nguyen said she really appreciates her new team's support. "Everyone here at Carolina has been so nice. The team has really been so supportive. They have been a big help."

The Carolina Gymnastics team and coaching staff are excited for the opportunity that awaits her at the World Championships Verification Camp in Houston.

"Christine is an exceptional performer on beam," said head coach Derek Galvin. "Her execution is excellent and her lines are beautiful. To top it all off, she is an absolutely delightful person to work with."

Galvin and assistant coach Penny Jernigan feel Christine's strength on the balance beam, along with her solid performances on the other three Olympic events will serve her well at the Verification Camp.