The Tar Heels were joking and laughing behind the scenes, but they also understand the mental and physical preparation they face before their 11-meet schedule begins on Jan. 13.
For head coach Derek Galvin, this day sets the tone for the year.
"Photo day makes it real," said Galvin. "For all the members of the team, they're getting more and more excited about the upcoming season. Today is the first touch of what it's really all about."
As one of the team's two captains, senior Maura Masatsugu is excited about the responsibility that comes with her title.
"What I'm looking forward to the most this season is being a leader for the team," she says. "I'm so excited to get pumped for everybody after all their routines and knowing I had a part in that."
UNC will host five meets this season, the last one being the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championship in its final year. Fittingly, Carolina was an original member of EAGL when it was founded in 1995. The Tar Heels have won five EAGL titles since 2002, including back-to-back conference crowns in 2010 and 2011.
