The GW gymnastics team opened its season at home Sunday, finishing third place in the six-team Lindsey Ferris/GW Invitational at the Smith Center.

The meet featured five other teams, including event-winner North Carolina as well as Temple, Cornell, William & Mary and the University of Pennsylvania. The invitational honored program alumna Lindsey Ferris, who died in January 2006 while working as a special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigation.

Fans made their presence felt throughout the event, wearing their school’s colors and encouraging the competitors with cheers. North Carolina supporters were often heard yelling “Tar,” which the respective athletes would respond to with a chant of “Heels.”

The Colonials’ team score of 187.825 was bested by the Tar Heels’ 192.450 and Temple’s 189.150, with GW’s opening-round vault score of 48.125 being the highest of the day.

Freshman Kayla Carto and junior Leslie Delima led the Colonials with all-around scores of 37.750 and 37.725, respectively.

The Colonials continue their season Sunday at West Virginia and next return home Feb. 14 against North Carolina State.