Blue-Gold Intrasquad on Tap for Panther Gymnasts
12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Dec. 1, 2008
PITTSBURGH -- The University of Pittsburgh gymnastics team will host its annual Blue-Gold intrasquad meet this Friday, Dec. 5 at Fitzgerald Field House. The Panthers will split into two teams and compete in a regulation-style meet before Christmas break commences. There will be free admission to the meet, which is set to start at 7 p.m.
Co-captains Alix Croop and Dani Bryan are two of 12 returning members from last season's squad which placed sixth a the EAGL Championships held in Morgantown, W.Va. by West Virginia University.
Also returning to the lineup this season is Anya Chayka, the defending EAGL beam champion. Chayka was Pitt's lone event champion at last year's championships, taking top honors on the balance beam with a career-high 9.850 during the Panthers' second rotation.
Junior Jessica Byich returns from a season-ending injury in 2008 as one of the Panthers' top all-around competitors. Byich will be joined by sophomore Shannon Vafiado, Pitt's lone all-around performer last season. Vafiado notched a career-high 38.975 while carrying a season average of 38.168. She was a second-team All-EAGL selection in the all-around.
Pitt welcomes six new faces to the team this season. Kelsey Ainsworth, Jessica Catalano, Jenn Liberato, Alicia Talucci, Lisa Taylor and Amy Varela will all make their Panther debuts Friday night.
The Panthers will open the 2009 season Saturday, Jan. 10 on the road. Pitt will travel to State College, Pa. for a dual meet with Penn State University. The interstate rivals will kick off at 7 p.m.