University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Ohio State/Michigan State
Pittsburgh Gymnastics Defeats Ohio State And Michigan State
3/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 4, 2000
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The women's gymnastics team set a new school record for team score as they defeated two Big Ten Conference opponents in a tri-meet at Trees Gym on March 4. The Panthers score of 195.925 surpassed their previous record of 195.225, and clinched victories over Michigan State (195.150) and Ohio State (194.325).
Pittsburgh also set a school record on floor exercise with a 49.400. Three Panthers earned scores of 9.90, while all six competitors scored at least a 9.80 or higher. Team scores of 48.500 on vault and 49.025 on the uneven bars were also season highs.
The victories were made possible by the senior class, which was competing in its final home meet of the season. Senior Danielle "Freddie" Alba (Philadelphia, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) claimed first in the all-around with a season-high 39.375, just .025 off of her school record. She had season-highs of 9.725 on vault, 9.85 on bars and 9.90 on floor. She also placed first on balance beam with a 9.90.
Seniors Lisa Fronhofer (Salem, N.Y./Salem) and Pam Lieberman (Parland, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) helped Alba sweep the top three places on beam with scores of 9.875 and 9.85, respectively. Fronhofer's score was a career-high. Lieberman finished third in the all-around with a career-high of 39.100 in just her fourth outing in the event.
Fellow senior Samantha Salyers (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) had a career night as well, earning a high of 9.90 on floor and tying for second with Alba and Fronhofer on the event.
Freshman Nathalie Sulpher (Ottawa, Canada/Franco-Quest) led the Panthers on vault with a career and team season-high 9.775. Sophomore Raya Mullin (Runnemede, N.J./Triton) led the bars contingent with a personal best 9.875, placing third.
Alba, Fronhofer, Lieberman and Salyers, along with seniors Vanessa Rutherford (Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) and Amanda Salacinski (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee) were honored in a special senior recognition ceremony following the competition.
Pittsburgh will conclude its regular season on Thursday, March 10 when the Panthers travel to Towson to compete in an East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) tri-meet with New Hampshire. Pittsburgh will then host the 2000 EAGL Championships on March 18 (6 p.m.) at Fitzgerald Field House.
