Feb. 10, 2007

Final Stats

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Pitt gymnastics team traveled to No. 18 Penn State this evening for an annual meet. The Panthers (6-3, 3-1 EAGL) scored their second-highest team score of the season with a 192.825. Penn State won the meet with a 195.075.

The Panthers had two all-around competitors this evening. Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) won her second all-around title this season with a 38.950. Freshman Dani Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) placed third with a 37.975.

Pitt got the evening started on the uneven bars, an event in which they're ranked 21st in the nation. They scored their second highest team score on this event this season with a 48.800. And after one rotation, they only trailed the Nittany Lions by 0.050. Leading the team was Arlotta and Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield), tying for third with a 9.800. The score was a season high for DeBone. Alix Croop (Allentown, Pa./Bridgeway Academy) and Kaitlin Harrison (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Memorial) tied for fifth with a 9.750, and Bryan placed eighth with a 9.700. Penn State's Lindsey Montross and Katie Perret tied for first with a 9.825.

Next, on the vault, Pitt scored a 48.425, keeping them above a 48.000 in every meet this season. After two events, the Panthers led the Nittany Lions 97.225 to 97.075. Pitt was led by Bryan who placed third with a 9.775. Arlotta tied for fourth with a 9.750, and Shannon McConnell (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) tied for seventh with a career-high 9.725. In first on this event was Penn State's Rosie Smith with a 9.825.

On the floor exercise, Pitt had to count a fall towards their team score of 47.825. Still, several gymnasts came through with high scores. Leading the team was Bryan with a fifth-place finish and a career-high 9.775. Next was McConnell with a career-high 9.750, tying her for sixth. Jessica Byich (Nicktown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) competed for the first time on this event, scoring a 9.675 to place ninth. Winning the floor exercise was Penn State's Brandi Personnett with a 9.900. After three events, Penn State led the team competition 145.925 to 145.050.

Pitt had to count a fall on the balance beam as well, finishing with a 47.775 team score. DeBone and Arlotta led the squad, tying for third with a 9.800. Kirsten Dalhberg (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine Richland) scored a career-high 9.750 to place sixth. And Anya Chayka (Germantown, Md./Richard Montgomery) tied for seventh with a 9.700. Winning the event were Penn State's Katie Perrett and Stephanie Sullivan with a 9.825.

Next up for the Panthers is a home dual meet with Ohio State. The competition will be senior night as the Panthers recognize Arlotta, Garber and student assistant coach Robyn Marszalek. The meet is scheduled for 7 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 17.