Pitt Gymnastics Clinches Another Win

Saturday, January 21

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7:00 PM

Pitt

188.500

185.575

Rhode Island

Andrea Arlotta finished first on two events and first in the all-around.

Pitt Gymnastics Clinches Another Win

1/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics

Jan. 21, 2006

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PITTSBURGH -

The Panthers opened their home season, notching another win on the season after defeating Rhode Island 188.5 to 185.575. The Panthers finished ahead on every event, dominating the vault. Tonight's win puts them at 2-1 for the season.

"We definitely did some good things," said Head Coach Debbie Yohman. "But there are also some things that we need to fix. On vault we needed to step it up, and we did that tonight. On bars, we hit six for six routines. I won't be satisfied with the balance beam until we stay on. I'm not happy with our performance on floor. Pitt gymnastics doesn't fall on floor. We're not going to [throw a trick] if we can't put it on our feet."

Yohman said she their aim is to eliminate falls, and the team suffered three on the balance beam and three on the floor exercise. However, they have been taking steps to amp up their vaults, and tonight they hit each one and did the same with their bar routines. She was pleased with their progress on those two events in particular.

The Panthers took first through fourth on the vault, with Nicole Drane (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) and Kaitlin Harrison (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Memorial) tying two of the Rams for fifth. Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) took first, matching her career-high 9.875. In second was Amanda Rushton (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton Area) with a personal best of 9.85. Yohman has pinpointed her as a gymnast to watch on this event in the coming competitions. Other career highs came from freshman Victoria McGuigan-Carl (Reading, Pa./Exter) with a 9.825 and Harrison with a 9.6. The team finished the event with a score of 48.775, one point ahead of the Rams.

Both teams were able to turn in some solid performances on the uneven bars. Arlotta was able to clinch her second event title of the night with a 9.625. She was followed by Rhode Island's Emily Heaney with a 9.6 and Emily Rinaldo with a 9.550. Lindsay Swan (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) continues to be an event leader for the team, turning in a 9.475 for fourth place. Pitt finished the event with a score of 46.775, and Rhode Island turned in a 46.025.

Falls plagued both teams on the balance beam, though a few gymnasts were able to stick the event. Pitt's Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) took first on the event with a 9.6. She was followed by Rhode Island's Kelly Gurney and Melissa Todd who tied for second with a 9.3. Drane came in fourth for the Panthers with a 9.250. The Panthers had a team score of 46.250 on the beam, and the Rams finished with a 45.9.

On the floor exercise, Pitt was able to claim the top three places with some powerful tumbling and unique routines from their veterans. Junior Robyn Marszalek (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) took first with a 9.625 followed by Arlotta in second with a 9.550. Jessica Garber (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School), named an EAGL Specialist of the Week after her performance in Michigan last weekend, finished tied for third with a 9.5. Pitt ended the evening with a score of 46.7 on the event while the Rams took a 45.875.

In the all-around competition, Arlotta took first for the second week in a row, ending with a 38.2. She was followed by Rhode Island's Rinaldo in second with a 37.550 and Emily Gurney in third with a 37.325.

Pitt will be on the road next weekend in their first conference matchup of the season. They'll face the New Hampshire Wildcats on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m.