University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Talucci Has Career Night For Panthers
2/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 17, 2010
PITTSBURGH - Pitt sophomore gymnast Alicia Talucci has an outstanding week for the Panthers in their tough loss to No. 15 Penn State, scoring a career-high 39.325 in the all-around last Saturday.
Talucci (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville), in just her second season, has had a decorated career with the Panthers. The sophomore added to her already high standards by posting a career-high 9.850 on the floor and tied a career high on the balance beam with a 9.875.
Talucci's best effort awarded her a second place all-around finish behind the Nittany Lions' Brandi Personett, who scored a 39.600. Personett is ranked No. 1 nationally on the vault, No. 2 on the floor exercise and No. 17 in all-around competition.
"For a minute we thought Alicia had a school record in the all-around, but it was just off," head coach Debbie Yohman said. "She works so hard and wants that all-around record. She will get it soon."
Talucci had finished first in the all-around in the Panthers' previous four meets. Though, her strong finish against Penn State moves her up to No. 20 in the national balance beam rankings and No. 35 in the all-around rankings.
Talucci and the Panthers travel to Maryland Sunday for a quad meet with the Terrapins, George Washington and William & Mary at 2 p.m.
