University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Maryland, Rutgers
Panthers Win One, Lose One in League Competition
2/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 18, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Having defeated both Maryland and Rutgers at home this season, the Panthers knew they dynamic would be different entering a meet on Maryland's turf. The Terrapins took advantage, winning the competition with a score of 193.075. Pitt finished second at 191.150, and Rutgers placed third with 191.050. Pitt now moves to 7-3 overall and 3-2 in the EAGL conference.
In team competition, Pitt finished second on both the vault and uneven bars with scores of 48.125 and 47.725 respectively. The placed third on the balance beam with a score of 46.575. They were able to take first on the floor exercise with a season-high 48.725.
On the vault, Pitt had three gymnasts with top-five finishes. Junior Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) led the team, tying in second with one of her top vaulting score of the season at 9.775. Freshmen teammates Anya Chayka (Germantown, Md./Richard Montgomery) and Victoria McGuigan-Carl (Reading, Pa./Exeter) tied four fourth with 9.725. The score was a season-high for Chayka, and it increased McGuigan-Carl's average to a 9.671 on the event.
Pitt had several improved performances on the uneven bars. Arlotta tied for first in the event with a 9.725, giving her a 9.746 average on the event. Sophomore Samantha DeBone (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) placed fourth with a 9.675. Alix Croop (Allentown, Pa./Bridgeway Academy) finished eighth, scoring a career-high 9.550.
Several shaky performances on the balance beam gave Pitt a few problems, but a few gymnasts were able to pull ahead with solid performances. DeBone finished first on the event for the second week in a row, scoring a 9.725. Arlotta finished third with a 9.650, followed by McGuigan-Carl in 12th with a season-high 9.450.
With four top-five performances on the floor exercise, the Panthers proved why this event is one of their best. Arlotta finished second tying her season-high score of 9.825. Sophomore Nicole Drane (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) placed third tying her career-high score of 9.775. Juniors Jessica Garber (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Country Day School) and Robyn Marszalek (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) tied for fifth with a 9.725.
The Panthers had two all-around competitors in this competition. Arlotta captured her fifth title of the season, with a score of 38.975. She has additionally placed in the top three on each event in the last two competitions. Drane competed in the all-around for the second time in her collegiate career, turning in a final score of 36.500.
Pitt will head to Missouri next weekend to compete in the Cat Classic. Friday night's competition will be team results only as the Panthers take on Missouri, Ball State and Northern Illinois. The top eight finishes on each event will qualify for individual finals to take place on Saturday.
