April 15, 2007

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Pitt assistant gymnastics coaches Mike Rowe and Jessica Bartgis were named the Northeast Region Co-Assistant Coaches of the Year. The two assistant coaches helped lead the Panthers to their third consecutive berth into the regional championships and a fourth-place finish at the 2007 EAGL Championships.

Rowe is in his second year as an assistant coach for the Panthers. He is primarily the coach for the uneven bars and also heads up recruiting efforts. In 2006, the team had a season-high 48.775 on the uneven bars. This year, the Panthers matched that score or went higher in three meets. On several occasions, Pitt was a top-25 team on the uneven bars and had an EAGL conference champion in Andrea Arlotta. Rowe is a graduate of Michigan State and joined the team after coaching at Geddert's Twistars in Michigan.

Bartgis is in her first year as an assistant coach for the Panthers and is the vault coach. A former EAGL champion on this event, she coached freshman Dani Bryan to the league title in her first year. Pitt's high score on the vault last season was a 48.775, and this year, the Panthers reached a 48.825 on two occasions and had a regional-qualifying score of 48.720. Bartgis also helped coach two first team All-EAGL selections in Bryan and Arlotta. She is a graduate of West Virginia and served as a student assistant coach there last season.

The Panthers recently wrapped up their season at the Northeast Regional Championships and had one national qualifier. Arlotta will compete in the NCAA Championships from April 26-28 in Utah. All regional awards are determined by votes received from the head coaches.