March 30, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Pitt gymnastics team placed fourth at the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) conference championships today with a team score of 194.150, the team's top finish since 2004. The team also had two event champions this evening as senior Andrea Arlotta captured the uneven bars title and freshman Dani Bryan won the vault title. Both individuals were All-EAGL first team selections on these events this season.

NC State won the meet with a 195.475, and West Virginia came in second at 195.300. North Carolina edged out the Panthers with a score of 194.925. Pitt's 194.150 was well ahead of George Washington's 192.775. Rutgers, New Hampshire and Maryland finished sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.

Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) placed fourth in the all-around with a 39.025. Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) took 13th with a 38.000. Winning the all-around was North Carolina senior Christine Robella with a 39.350.

Pitt got started on the vault with a 48.775 to put them in second place after the first rotation. Leading the Panthers was Bryan with a 9.900 for the event title. This was Bryan's second vault of the year to score a 9.900 or higher and her fourth vault title of the season. Pitt's next highest scorer was freshman Shannon McConnell (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) who earned a 9.750 for 13th. She's scored a 9.750 in her last three meets and has a regional-qualifying score of 9.730 this season. Arlotta and freshman Jessica Byich (Nicktown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) tied with a 9.725. Sophomore Anya Chayka (Germantown, Md./Richard Montgomery) and freshman Kirsten Dahlberg (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine Richland) tied at a 9.675, a season-high score for Chayka.

Next up for the Panthers was the uneven bars where they finished with a 48.450, putting them third after three events with a 97.225. NC State had the lead at 97.600, and North Carolina was in second at 97.475. Arlotta anchored the event, tying her career high of 9.900 for a first-place finish, her sixth of the season. This is the second time this season she's hit a 9.900 on the event. Next in line for the Panthers was Alix Croop (Allentown, Pa./Bridgeway Academy) who tied her season-high score of 9.775. Byich came in next with a 9.625, and Kaitlin Harrison (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Memorial) scored a 9.600. Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) recorded a 9.550 while Bryan had to count a fall for a 9.100.

On the balance beam, Pitt scored a 48.400 and moved to fourth overall after three events with a 145.625. In first was NC State with a 146.375, and West Virginia was in third with a 146.200. North Carolina was just ahead of the Panthers with a 145.975. Pitt's top scorers were Byich and Chayka, tying with a 9.750. The score was a career high for Byich. Next was DeBone with a 9.725, and Arlotta scored a 9.600. Sophomore Andrea Konesky (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bishop Canevin) came in at a 9.575, and Bryan finished with a 9.175 after a fall.

Pitt closed out the meet on the floor exercise with a 48.525. Leading the team was Bryan with a 9.825 for sixth place. Next was Arlotta who scored a 9.825 for ninth. Chayka and McConnell tied with a 9.725, a season-high score for Chayka. Jessica Garber (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) scored a 9.450, and Croop came in at a 9.400.

Next up for the team will be the NCAA Regional Championships on April 14. The meet will be hosted by Michigan. The regional meet will include three top-18 teams in addition to the top three teams and several individuals in each region.