University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Gymnastics Heads West, Utah State Awaits
3/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 4, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh gymnastics team picks up action this Friday, March 6, as they travel to Logan, Utah, for a dual against the Utah State Aggies. The Panthers are fresh off a 194.725-193.700 upset of 26th-ranked Denver University in the finale home meet of the 2009 season at Fitzgerald Field House.
Scouting the Aggies
The Aggies enter Friday night’s dual meet with the Panthers in search of their first win of the season. Currently Utah State is 0-11, taking third most recently in a triangular meet with Sacramento State and Boise State. Led by all-arounders Lyndsie Boone, Nicki Felley and Heather Heinrich, the Aggies posted a season-high score of 193.600 at No. 25 Boise State on Jan. 30.
Denver Recap
Pitt got back on the winning track last Saturday, Feb. 28, with an upset of the 26th-ranked Denver University Pioneers, 194.725-193.700. Behind senior Alix Croop’s first-career 9.9+ score, the Panthers posted a season-high mark of 49.025 on the floor program. The score ensured the sixth win of the 2009 season for the Panthers, which is double their win output from 2008.
Going Out in Style
Four Pitt seniors ended their careers at Fitzgerald Field House ona high note, upsetting 26th-ranked Denver University 194.725-193.700 on Feb. 28. Following the defeat of the Pioneers, seniors Anya Chayka, Alix Croop, Andrea Konesky and Victoria McGuigan-Carl were honored in front of the home crowd.
Down the Stretch
After a three-week homestand, the Panthers hit the road for their final two meets of the 2009 season. After traveling to Logan, Utah for this weeeknd’s dual, Pitt will jump back on the road for a midweek date in College Park, Md., against EAGL rival Maryland on Wednesday, March 11. The Terps narrowly escaped Fitzgerald Field House with a win on Feb. 13, finishing slighty ahead, 194.650-194.050.
Trifecta, You Bet Ya
Freshman Alicia Talucci was recently honored as the Eastern Atlantic Gymnastics League’s Gymnast of the Week for the period ending Feb. 23, for her performance against Michigan State University. Talucci set or tied career-high marks in three of the four events she participated in and also won the all-around for the second time in three weeks.
The Gymnast of the Week honor marks the third time this season she has been selected by the EAGL for her performance. Both previous honors came as Rookie of the Week.
In Good Company
Junior co-captain Dani Bryan enters this weekend ranked in the top 25 in the nation on vault. Bryan carries a regional qualifying score (RQS) of 9.850. She has finished in the top-three on vault in every meet this season, including a season-high 9.900 first place finish against West Virgina on January 23rd.
Tentative Panthers Lineup:
VAULT
Dani Bryan
Anya Chayka
Shannon McConnell
Molly Moyer
Alicia Talucci
Shannon Vafiadou
Amy Varela
BARS
Dani Bryan
Jessica Byich
Alix Croop
Victoria McGuigan-Carl
Alicia Talucci
Shannon Vafiadou
Amy Varela
BEAM
Jessica Byich
Anya Chayka
Alix Croop
Molly Moyer
Alicia Talucci
Sarah Thompson
Shannon Vafiadou
FLOOR
Dani Bryan
Alix Croop
Molly Moyer
Krista Rubini
Alicia Talucci
Lisa Taylor
Shannon Vafiadou
Players Mentioned
