University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers Sign Two New Gymnasts for 2007 Season
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Nov. 14, 2005
PITTSBURGH - The Panthers signed two new recruits for the 2007 season in Danielle Bryan and Shannon McConnell. Both Level 10 gymnasts and national qualifiers, they will surely make an immediate impact on the Pitt gymnastics team.
Bryan comes to the Panthers from Gaithersburg, Md. where she trained as a Level 10 gymnast at Hill's Gymnastics. Coached by Kelli Hill and Jen Bundy, she was a two-time Level 10 national qualifier in 2003 and 2004, placing in the top ten on floor and vault. While attending Northwest High School, Bryan was a member of the National Honor Society and National Merit Scholarship qualifier.
McConnell is a Pittsburgh-native, attending North Allegheny High School. She is a five year, Level 10 gymnast from Gym Dandy's where she is coached by Karen Clark and Scotty Miller. McConnell was a two-time national qualifier in 2001 and 2002 in addition to being the WPIAL champion in 2005.
"Both of these girls are very talented gymnasts who were kind of under the radar this year. Both have very high level skills and are tough competitors, although their styles are pretty opposite," explained Head Coach Debbie Yohman. "Dani is a very dynamic athlete, and Shannon is more elegant, but both are powerful. [They're] 10.0 vaulters, huge tumblers with difficulty on beam including dismounts. They will bring a lot of big gymnastics into the program. We are tremendously excited to sign both and feel they will be standouts in their senior years and impact gymnastics for Pitt."
The Panthers will officially open their 2006 season on Saturday, January 14, but held a balance beam intersquad this past weekend.
