Jan. 7, 2009

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh women’s gymnastics team opens the 2009 season this weekend, Saturday, Jan. 10, traveling to State College, Pa. for a dual meet against the Nittany Lions. The Panthers will be led by co-captions junior Dani Bryan and senior Alix Croop. Bryan, the former EAGL vault champion in 2007 was also an All-EAGL Second Team selection on vault in 2008. Croop, the 2008 team MVP, was an All-EAGL First Team selection last season on the uneven bars. Also returning is senior Anya Chayka, who was the EAGL balance beam champion in 2008. With a strong returning group and many talented newcomers, an exciting 2009 season is in store for the Pitt women’s gymnastics team.

The Panthers will celebrate their 35th year of competition during the 2009 season. Head Coach Debbie Yohman leads the way for the Panthers for the 23rd season, and is excited about the possibilities the 2009 team has ahead of them. The return of several girls from season-ending injuries ensure the Panthers are ready for the challenges they will face during a grueling regular-season schedule and the very competitive EAGL Championships in late March.

“Our off-season, summer and pre-season training bodes well for the 2009 competitive season,” said Yohman.

“The gymnasts have earned a lot of respect from the coaching staff for quantity and quality of work they did during voluntary practices, and for the focus and effort they’ve shown during the fall. We have just about without exception upgraded, strengthened, or rehabbed wherever we needed to.”

In addition, the Panthers welcome a young and talented group of freshman that will be called upon immediately in their first season.

“Our freshman class is one of the largest but strongest that we’ve had. Two of our recruited athletes, Alicia Talucci and Amy Varela, are looking great and we expect them both to be all-arounders someday. Both started the fall a bit weak but have worked intensely to get ready and the results are showing in all areas. Walk-ons Jess Catalano and Lisa Taylor are both competitive as specialists, vault and floor, and will be vying for line-up spots on those 2 events. Two of our other newcomers are questionable: Kelsey Ainsworth is recovering slowly from elbow work in March –she may not be ready for this year; walk-on Jen Liberato came back home to Pennsylvania when she transferred from Texas–she has been a pleasant surprise in the gym but may have to sit out a year under transfer regulations.“

VAULT
Bryan, the 2007 EAGL vault champion and 2008 EAGL Second Team selection, returns from a season-ending injury to lead the Panthers on the vault. This season, Bryan and senior Anya Chayka, who carried a 9.720 average last season, will look to set the pace for the team.

“Dani is one of our most competitive team members and she is excited to have another shot at the EAGL title. Her vault came back very early in our preseason so she should make a huge impact as soon as the season starts. One of Dani’s biggest competitors will be Panther freshman Alicia Talucci. Having two such dynamic vaulters has been great motivation for the entire squad.”

This event will once again be one of Pitt’s stronger events with additional 10.0 start values from Chayka, Shannon Vafiadou and Molly Moyer. Shannon McConnell and Krista Rubini will round out the squad, each with vaults that have been solid scores in the past.

Taylor, Catalano and Varela are all in the process of upgrading their already good vaults, which will allow them a higher start value and the team greater depth while possibly bringing a few surprises as the season progresses.

BARS
The Panthers will have some work to do on the bars, their lowest scoring event last season. Croop, an EAGL First Team selection a year ago is the Panthers’ leading returner. She averaged a team high 9.717 a year ago.

“Alix was our most consistent bar competitor last year. She’s upgraded her routine, had a great autumn and should definitely be an All-EAGL first team candidate, along with contributing to the achievement of the goals this bar squad has set for the year.”

Joining Croop with experience on the bars is Vafiadou. Vafiadou competed in all but two meets in the event, scoring a season high 9.700 on two occasions. Also returning to this year’s bar squad are Bryan and junior Jessica Byich. Both have made great strides in their comebacks from last season’s injuries and will have a positive impact on this year’s squad.

Varela, recruited for her outstanding bars and Talucci strengthen this event. Senior Victoria McGuigan-Carl will also be a factor for the Panthers, contributing another familiar face and more depth.

BEAM
Led by the defending EAGL beam champion Anya Chayka, the balance beam can be one of Pitt’s strong events during the 2009 season. Chayka recorded and tied her career-high mark on the beam in back to back meets to close out the 2008 campaign and will look to improve on that 9.850 mark.

“Beam is all about confidence. Anya was so confident the second half of last season. Our team seems to have a lot of that confidence this year – I expect to be deep and consistent on beam!”

Also returning to provide depth is Croop, senior Andrea Konesky, junior Sarah Thompson, Moyer and Vafiadou. Thompson led the team with a 9.686 average last season and was a First Team All-EAGL selection in the process. Croop competed in all but one meet on the beam and twice scored a season-high 9.750. Konesky, Moyer and Vafiadou were all key contributors last season and have valuable experience. Plus there will be some strong beam coming from the newcomers.

“I am looking forward to a beam squad that has to compete for line-up spots and makes my job hard (choosing that line-up). I do see some fight in the kids who want to do beam.”

FLOOR
Pitt floor has a long tradition of being very tough, and hopes to be worthy of that reputation in 2009.

“Floor could possibly be our most improved event this year. Last year we had some stellar performances but very much lacked in consistency. We have greatly improved our depth on floor, making it the most competitive line-up after beam.”

Eight different Panthers competed in the event last year, with Croop, McConnell and Moyer all averaging at least a 9.650. Moyer’s 9.687 average led her to an All-EAGL Second Team selection in 2008 and an individual berth to NCAA Regionals.

“All three of our returning high scores have the potential to make an All-EAGL selection team this year. Add into that mix Bryan and Vafiadou, and we’ve got a tremendous floor squad. Fighting to make the floor squad each week will be Rubini, Talucci, Taylor, Mallory Brewer, Varela, and Catalano.”

ALL-AROUND
Last season only two Panthers competed in the all-around, Vafiadou and Byich. Although Byich’s season was cut short due to injury after just three meets, she is ready for a strong 2009 comeback campaign.

“We missed Jessi in the line-up last year. She will return quickly on bars and beam but is taking the opportunity to work a lot of basics on vault and floor.

Vafiadou was an All-EAGL Second Team selection in the all-around and qualified as an individual all-arounder for the NCAA Regionals, gaining valuable experience in just her first season as a Panther.

“Shannon did a great job competing all four events last year. That she will possibly have company from her teammates in the all-around this year is an example of our increased depth on each event.”

“Dani could return to the AA, Alix has her heart set on the AA one more time before she graduates and Molly Moyer and Shannon McConnell could get a shot at it as their bars have come a long way. The newcomers are well-rounded on all four events as well. That is exciting because we are stronger, deeper and more competitive in all areas heading into the season!”