Janell Sargent

Position:
AA
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Greenville, N.C.

As a Junior:
Beam specialist who earned first-team All-EAGL honors • Was Carolina's most consistent performer on beam, scoring a 9.700 or higher in all 11 meets • Won the beam competition vs. Pittsburgh with a 9.825 and vs. Towson with a 9.850 • Scored a season-high 9.850 on beam in four of the final six meets of the season • Was fourth at the EAGL championships with a 9.850 • Selected to the All-EAGL Scholastic Team for the third consecutive season.

As a Sophomore
Named a Scholastic All-America by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches • Selected to the EAGL All-Academic team • Competed in all 12 meets as a balance beam specialist • Posted a season-high 9.900 to finish second at NC State and Pittsburgh • Posted a score of 9.700 or higher in nine of 12 meets on beam • Tied for second in the beam competition in the meet at George Washington and at Pitt.

As a Freshman
Competed in seven meets as part of the balance beam lineup • Posted a season-best 9.750 in a road meet at Penn State and at the NCAA Regional in Raleigh • Also had a 9.725 on three occasions - vs. Temple on Feb. 17, George Washington on Feb. 24 and at the EAGL Championship on March 24 • Earned EAGL All-Academic honors.

Prep
Was one of the top Junior Olympic gymnasts in North Carolina for many years • Attended Roses' Gymnastics in Greenville, N.C., where she trained under the guidance of Darlene Rose, Colin Womack and Shelley Harris • Two-time USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Level 10 National qualifier • Roses' training program has produced several outstanding student athletes that pursued their college experiences at Carolina.

Personal
Born Janell Elizabeth Sargent on January 1, 1993 in Minneapolis • Daughter of Andy and Pam Sargent • Was home schooled by her parents • Volunteered twice a month at Reimage Church in the children's curriculum • Played the violin as a child • Her father, Andy, is a chemistry professor at East Carolina University.

Personal Bests:
Balance Beam: 9.900 - 2/16/13 at NC State

Getting To Know Janell:

Nickname: Nell, Nellie

Major: Exercise and Sports Science; Minor: Hispanic Studies

Career Plans: I am going to do a 2-year mission commitment with the Summit Church directly after I graduate, but after that I have no set plans. I'm still praying about it

What is the best thing about being at UNC? You feel like you're part of one big family. It's unusual to walk around campus and not see someone you know

Away from gymnastics and academic pursuits, I like to spend time… reading my Bible, praying, spending time with teammates

My greatest strength as a gymnast is… being able to get in my "zone" and focus on my gymnastics in that particular moment

Biggest sports thrill and why? Being able to score a 38.00 all-around at the Level 8 Gasparilla meet. That was the first time I had ever scored a 38.00, so I was excited

Person who had the greatest influence on your career and why: Darlene Rose- my club coach and owner of Rose's Gymnastics Training Center- because she stuck with me from a very young age until I graduated high school and came here. Throughout the ups and downs of my pre-college career, she pushed me to be the best I could ever be and loved me like a daughter

Favorite book: the Bible

Favorite food: Strawberry jelly and crunchy peanut butter sandwiches

Funny or interesting fact about yourself: I have never been to the state fair, even though I'm from NC

Favorite class at UNC and why: EXSS 376 (Exercise Physiology) because Dr. Battaglini was so enthusiastic about the class and was a lot of fun to listen to

At what age did you start participating in gymnastics and what is your earliest memory of gymnastics? 3.5 years; one of my earliest memories of gymnastics was going into the gym very early to be filmed and interviewed for a local TV special. It was exciting to get up and be in the gym so early, but I was scared half to death of being interviewed because I was extremely shy when younger

The funniest nickname on the team belongs to: Margaret- Brownie

What song would you sing if you were on American Idol? Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns

What reality show would you most like to be on? Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

My favorite guilty pleasure is: frozen yogurt

If I could go to dinner with one famous person it would be: Kirk Cameron

The most interesting person I’ve met at UNC is: Dr. Battaglini

People say I look like… my dad

Favorite Place to visit: Maine, New York and Texas...I have family there!