March 24, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - The Pitt gymnastics team wrapped up its regular-season slate this evening in a dual meet at No. 10 Oklahoma. The Panthers (8-10, 4-3 EAGL) scored their second highest total of the season with a 194.075 while the Sooners won with a 197.175. The Panthers hit solid routines on every event, scoring above a 48.000 to lead them to one of their top finishes this year.

In the all-around competition, the team was led by senior co-captain Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) who finished fifth with a 38.625. Freshman Dani Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) came in sixth with a 38.525. Oklahoma had two gymnasts tie for the all-around title in Kiara Redmond and Brittany Koncak-Schumann.

On the vault, Pitt scored a 48.725 with four gymnasts scoring above a 9.725. Leading the way was Bryan in a tie for fifth with a 9.825. Arlotta was next in a tie for eighth with a 9.725. Freshman Shannon McConnell (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) tied for eighth as well. Fellow freshman Jessi Byich (Nicktown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) placed 10th with a 9.725. Winning the vault competition was Oklahoma's Redmond and Koncak-Schumann with 9.900s.

Pitt scored a 48.250 on the uneven bars with a third-place finish from Arlotta. She tied with a 9.800. Junior Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) finished eighth with a 9.725, and sophomore Alix Croop (Allentown, Pa./Bridgeway Academy) placed ninth with a 9.675. In 10th was Byich with a 9.550. Redmond and Koncak-Schumann also won this event, tying with a 9.875.

On the balance beam, the Panthers scored a 48.175. DeBone and Anya Chayka (Germantown, Md./Richard Montgomery) led the team as they tied for sixth with a 9.750. Next was Bryan who tied for eighth with a 9.725. Freshman Kirsten Dahlberg (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine Richland) took 10th with a 9.700. Oklahoma had three gymnasts tie for first with a 9.875.

Pitt scored a 48.925 on the floor exercise, one of its highest of the season. Two gymnasts scored career highs on this event as well. Bryan tied for fourth with a career-high 9.850. Arlotta and McConnell tied for sixth with a 9.825, a career-high score for McConnell. In ninth place, Jessica Garber (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) scored a season-high 9.800. Winning the floor exercise competition was Oklahoma's Redmond with a 9.925.

Next up for the Panthers will be the EAGL Conference Championships next Friday. The meet will be hosted by Maryland.