University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Gymnastics Recruiting Update
5/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
May 3, 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Panthers have signed three recruits for the 2007 season, and two of them qualified for the U.S. Junior Olympic Nationals, held last weekend. Both Danielle Bryan of Hill's Gymnastics in Maryland and Shannon McConnell of Gym Dandy's in Pittsburgh competed.
Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) had an outstanding competition, placing fourth overall and qualifying for the U.S. National Team. She finished with a 37.900 all-around score. Bryan was additionally a runner-up on the vault with a 9.700 and floor exercise with a 9.575. She finished ninth on the uneven bars with a 9.325 and 18th on the balance beam with a 9.575. Bryan is only one of three Pitt gymnasts to have earned a spot on the National team, joining Danielle "Freddy" Alba, Raya Mullin and current team member Andrea Arlotta (Cincinnati, Ohio/Northwest) who was a Junior National Team Member in 1999. She is also only one of two East Atlantic League (EAGL) conference gymnasts to make the team, joining North Carolina's Kara Wright.
McConnell (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) finished 44th overall with an all-around score of 35.525. She placed 19th on the floor exercise with a 9.400 and 30th on the balance beam with the same score. McConnell also finished 21st on vault with a 9.475.
These two gymnasts will join Jessica Byich (Nicktown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) as the newest additions to the Pitt gymnastics team next season.
