Panther Pause - Fourth Edition
11/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Nov. 30, 2007
PITTSBURGH - This edition of the Panther Pause was written by Assistant Coach Mike Rowe and junior Andrea Konesky. For the Q&A segment, we spoke with the junior class and our new athletic trainer Greg Hess.
From Junior Balance Beam Specialist Andrea Konesky: October flew by and November came quickly. I can see that our team has become stronger and more prepared each day for this upcoming season. Everyone is focused and definitely determined to be successful. Floor routines are now getting even better since everyone is more comfortable with the tumbling and choreography, especially since the endurance is there. JB has been very creative with the workouts making them fun for the girls to do. On November 1st the girls did a fun floor assignment where they got to choose a special workout from a hat for their endurance routines. These were hilarious to watch. Some examples of the assignments were to lap the gym, crawl through the pits, high-five your coaches, cheer for other events, play leap frog, and compliment your teammates during each tumbling pass. Poor Mallory picked suicides, she didn't seem too happy. Beam is really coming along nicely. We have a lot of depth and a lot of talent, and everyone is doing great. Bars are looking good too, and we're excited for the new routines that are being put together and perfected. We have a few new vaults that are also being perfected and we can't wait to show them off come January 4th. We have been doing a lot of pressure sets and intrasquads to get us prepared for competition. This has been very beneficial for everyone, and we're hoping to do more of these types of situations to get us even more prepared. I hope you guys are as excited and ready as we are.
Another fun thing that we did this month as a team for conditioning was take a step class. This was a lot of fun, and I think that all of the girls really enjoyed it and found it to be a great workout. We got to learn a step aerobics routine and we did it to really fun music. It was a nice change to our normal conditioning, and a fun way to work out as a team.
As November is coming to an end, I can definitely say that I feel everyone is focused in and out of the gym. Everyone is working hard to reach our goals, and it is easy to see how everyone believes in our team this year and the potential that we have. Can't wait to see you guys at our meets! <3>
From Coach Rowe: WOW! The pre-season DID fly by! But the Panther's are ready! This year's team is more talented, focused, committed and in better shape than in my previous two years here at Pitt. There's a unique bond between this group of young ladies that's more cohesive than in past years. As in all teams, they've dealt with adversity, in and out of the gym. The exciting thing is that they're getting better at it! They seem more competitive, are working more aggressively, and are diligently working on the details that are going to get us into the top 36 this year! You can really see the girls' confidence and competitiveness building on a daily basis and it's becoming contagious! It's been great walking out of the gym consistently feeling like we've accomplished another goal!
With regards to this year's bar squad, we're currently working on consistency and fine tuning! We've got big shoes to fill with Dre graduating, and there are several girls vying to fill her spot! Freshman Shannon "Vaf" Vafiadou is setting her sights on a spot in the line-up, along with her fellow freshmen, Molly Moyer and Mallory Brewer, both who have upgraded major releases and are currently upgrading dismounts in their quest to get in there as well. Sophomores Jessica Byich and Dani Bryan are both returning to be solid contributors and are certain to enhance the quality of this year's bar squad. Another sophomore, Sarah Thompson, had an exceptionally productive summer, returning to Pitt with a completely "New and Improved" bar routine! One that's certain to give everyone a challenge for their spot! Junior Alix Croop, with her "consummate perfectionist" approach in training, is currently upgrading a stalder combination into her dismount that we hope to have ready soon! Then there are our seniors, Sammi DeBone and Kaitlin Harrison, both who have been in the Pitt Bar line-up their entire collegiate career, who have also been busy upgrading their dismounts for this season! It's been an exciting pre-season and we're anxious to get started! We hope you get a chance to come out and see us! LET'S GO PITT! Mike
Q & A with Pitt Juniors: "What is YOUR #1 goal for the team this year & what part will you play in making it happen?"
• "My number one team goal is to place top 3 in the EAGL this year. The part that I will be playing to accomplish it is to provide a consistent contributing beam score each meet, and also help my team both physically and mentally while motivating them to reach this goal." ~ Andrea Konesky
• "My #1 team goal for this season is to be #1 at EAGLs. My part in accomplishing this goal will be to have consistency throughout the season giving me the confidence to perform well and contribute solid scores at EAGLs." ~Alix Croop
• "My team goal is to be consistant all at once from the beginning during meets and getting in the top three at EAGLs. To accomplish this I will be a great vocal leader and try to keep our spirits up and make the team have fun and pumped up for the meets. Also try to recover from my injury as soon as I can! Its going to be a great year!" ~V (Victoria McGuigan-Carl)
• "My #1 team goal this year is to be ranked top 36 so we are able to go to NCAA Regionals. I will be working hard on every event to help the team accomplish this goal." ~ Anya Chayka
Q & A with Pitt Gymnastics Trainer Gregory Hess: "What surprises you most in your first year as the Head Gymnastics Trainer?"
• "As far as the athletes, the team camaraderie & the personalities of each have been impressive. As far as the sport, the absolute power combined with grace that is necessary to be successful has surprised me. I'm greatful to have been given this opportunity to work with such skilled athletes & individuals." ~Greg Hess, ATC
Until next Panther Pause...Hail to Pitt!