March 28, 2007

PITTSBURGH - Pitt gymnastics has earned a reputation for not only delivering stand-out performances during the season, but in the classroom as well. For the second consecutive year, nine Panthers have been named to the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) All-Academic team.

First-time honorees include freshmen Dani Byan (Germantown, Md./Northwest), Shannon McConnell (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) and Sarah Thompson (Shokan, N.Y./Onteora). Sophomores Andrea Konesky (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bishop Canevin) and Nicole Kujawski (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) were also named to the list for the first time. Bryan and Thompson are focusing on pre-med,while McConnell is currently undeclared. Konesky is majoring in psychology, and Kujawski is focused on health and physical activity.

Senior Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) is the only two-time honoree on the Pitt squad this season. She is majoring in communications.

Three Pitt gymnasts are now three-time EAGL All-Academic team members. Junior Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) is a rehabilitation science major. Junior Nicole Drane (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) is an applied developmental psychology major. And senior Jessica Garber (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) is a communications major.