Pitt
Blue-Gold Intersquad
GYMNASTS KICKED OFF 2007 SEASON WITH BLUE-GOLD INTERSQUAD
1/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 12, 2007
PITTSBURGH - The Pitt gymnastics team held a Blue and Gold Intersquad this evening, giving Panther fans to get an early glimpse of the team's new routines before next week's home opener.
The Panthers had seven vaulters perform this evening with start values ranging from a 9.5 to 10.0. The lineup included two sophomores and five freshmen: Alix Croop, Jessica Byich, Victoria McGuigan-Carl, Dani Bryan, Krista Rubini, Shannon McConnell and Kirsten Dahlberg.
On the uneven bars, Pitt had eight routines, having upgraded many routines to include bigger releases and dismounts. This lineup had mostly upperclassmen and only two freshmen: Brittany Baldwin, Samantha DeBone, Kaitlin Harrison, Andrea Arlotta, Byich, McGuigan-Carl, Bryan and Croop.
The balance beam will be extremely competitive for Pitt this year, as the Panthers have a lot of depth at this event. The team showcased 13 routines on the balance beam, with each gymnast fighting for a spot in the starting lineup. Gymnasts included: Jessica Garber, Pam Bender, Nicole Kujawski, Sarah Thompson, Andrea Konesky, Byich, Bryan, Croop, McConnell, McGuigan-Carl, DeBone, Dahlberg and Arlotta.
Pitt capped off its night with the floor exercise where the team introduced amped up routines including big tumbling and energetic choreography. Several of the routines are sure to be crowd pleasers as the season progresses. Pitt had seven gymnasts perform on the floor exercise: Garber, McConnell, Byich, Croop, Bryan, McGuigan-Carl and Kujawski.
In addition to watching routines, fans were able to submit questions for the coaches and gymnasts, and one local gymnast was selected to judge a balance beam routine. The Pitt gymnasts also welcomed celebrity judges - Marcy Blitz, a former Pitt gymnast and current Level 10 judge; Jan McMannis, the team's academic counselor; and Penny Semaia, Career and Life Skills Coordinator for the Pitt Athletic Department. While Blitz judged the routines, McMannis and Semaia gave out quite a few "10s."
Pitt opens its 2007 competitive season next weekend with a home meet on Friday, January 19. The Panthers will host Michigan State as well as EAGL opponents West Virginia and Maryland. The meet is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Fitzgerald Field House.
