March 15, 2007

PITTSBURGH - The Pitt women's gymnastic team continues its four-week road stretch this weekend as they take on league opponent No. 22 NC State (12-11, 4-3 EAGL). The Panthers (8-8, 4-2 EAGL) are sixth in the conference standings while the Wolfpack is at second. Friday's competition is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Reynolds Coliseum.

Despite their difficult schedule throughout the past few weeks, the Panthers have responded to the challenge. They hit above a 193.000 in each of their last three meets for a regional-qualifying score (RQS) of 193.055. Additionally, the team scored above a 48.000 on every event in last week's quad meet with Arkansas, West Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Leading the Panthers this week will be senior co-captain Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest). Last meet, Arlotta earned a 39.150 in the all-around for a second-place finish. Freshman Dani Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) will also compete on every event for the second consecutive week. Last weekend she earned a career-high 38.825 for fifth place.

On the vault, Bryan has led the squad throughout the season, scoring a career-high 9.925 two weeks ago with a 9.838 average. She's picked up three event titles in her rookie campaign. Another key vaulter for the Panthers has been freshman Shannon McConnell (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny). She scored a career-high 9.800 at Kent State and is averaging a 9.660 on this event. The team's season high on this event is a 48.825 in their final home meet, and they hold an RQS of 48.560.

Arlotta has led the team on the uneven bars as she scored a career-high 9.900 last weekend to tie for first place. He continued success on this event has helped the Panthers remain in the nation's top 25 on this event and also lead the EAGL. In addition to Arlotta, junior Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa/Hempfield) has put up some big scores with an RQS of 9.755. The uneven bars has been the team's top event this season. They have an RQS of 48.630 and are averaging 48.490 on this event. The team's best score so far was a 48.850 at Rutgers.

The balance beam squad had some difficulties early on, but in the last two competitions, they've hit solid routines and posted some of their best scores to date. Anya Chayka (Germantown, Md./Richard Montgomery) earned a career-high 9.800 last weekend. She's scored above a 9.700 in four meets this season and won the event at Rutgers. DeBone has provided some depth to the lineup, winning two beam titles this season and holding an RQS of 9.700. The team hit a season-high 48.475 last weekend, and they're averaging 47.491 on the event this season.

Pitt's floor squad continues to come through each week, and they've scored above a 48.750 in three of their last four meets. Arlotta and Bryan anchor the lineup, but McConnell and Jessica Garber (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) have posted high scores in recent weeks to add some depth at this event. McConnell has hit above a 9.700 in her last five competitions, including two career-high 9.800s. Garber has scored a 9.700 in her last two competitions and has an RQS of 9.605. The team earned a season-best 48.950 in their last home meet, and they have an RQS of 48.305 on this event.