March 3, 2007

Final Stats

PITTSBURGH - The Pitt gymnastics team continued to improve this week, setting a new season-best team score of 194.275 to finish second of three teams. The Panthers (7-6, 3-1 EAGL) won the vault and floor exercise competitions and had gymnasts win three of the four events. Winning the meet was No. 19 Missouri (9-6, 0-4 Big Ten) with a 195.750, and Central Michigan (8-7, 3-1 MAC) took third at 192.600.

In the all-around competition, Pitt had two competitors. Senior Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) set a career-high 39.275 for second. Freshman Jessica Byich (Nicktown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) competed on every event for the second time this season, earning a personal-best 38.425 for fifth. Winning the all-around competition was Missouri's Adrianne Perry.

Pitt continued to dominate the vault competition, tying their season-best score of 48.825. Freshman Dani Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) won the event with a career-high 9.925. Arlotta placed third with a 9.800, and Byich and fellow freshman Shannon McConnell (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) tied for seventh with a 9.725. Missouri finished with a 48.750, and Central Michigan scored a 48.025.

On the uneven bars, Pitt scored a 48.775 which was second overall. The Panthers were led by Arlotta who placed fourth with a 9.850. She was followed by Alix Croop (Allentown, Pa./Bridgeway Academy) in ninth with a 9.775 and Bryan in 10th with a career-high 9.750. Winning the event were three Missouri gymnasts with 9.875s.

Next up was the balance beam, an event that has given the Pitt gymnasts some problems in recent weeks. But tonight, they only counted one fall for a 47.925. Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) earned her second title on this event this season, tying her career high of 9.900. Next was Arlotta who tied for seventh with a 9.800. Andrea Konesky (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bishop Canevin) placed 13th with a 9.675.

Pitt's final event of the evening was the floor exercise where they beat out the competition for a 48.750. The team was led by Bryan and Arlotta who tied with Missouri's Perry for first with a 9.825. The score tied a career-high for Bryan. McConnell continued to hit her routine, placing fourth with a 9.775. Senior Jessica Garber (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) tied for eighth with a 9.700.

The Panthers have a tough stretch ahead as they conclude the rest of their season on the road. They'll travel to Arkansas for a meet next Friday with the Razorbacks, West Virginia and New Hampshire.