University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Western Michigan, George Washington and Penn
Panthers Claim Quad Meet Win On Senior Night
3/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 5, 2010
PITTSBURGH -
The Pitt gymnastics team scored a 194.525 on Senior Night to claim a quad meet win over Western Michigan, George Washington and Penn Friday evening at Fitzgerald Field House.
Western Michigan finished second with a 191.425, Penn took third with a 189.625 and East Atlantic Gymnastics foe George Washington finished fourth with a 189.475.
Seniors Dani Bryan, Jessica Byich, Shannon McConnell, Krista Rubini and Sarah Thompson were honored following the meet. Bryan (Germantown, Md./Northwest) concluded her career at Fitzgerald Field House with a 9.900 on the vault, the best among all gymnasts on the night.
“The seniors did a nice job tonight,” head coach Debbie Yohman said. “They are such a great group and our seniors mean everything to us. Even though their careers are over at home, it’s time to take the show on the road and see what we can do there.”
In the all-around, sophomore sensation Alicia Talucci (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) recorded a 39.150 to claim the title. Finishing with her personal best in the all-around was freshman Meaghan Biros (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley), scoring a 38.850 and placing third.
Pitt’s strongest event this season, the vault, was again solid for the Panthers as they scored a 49.000. Pitt placed first through fourth individually as well with Bryan in first, Talucci taking second (9.825), Shannon Vafiadou in third (9.800) and Biros finishing fourth (9.775).
After taking the lead in the first rotation, Pitt would not relinquish its control the remainder of the night. Pitt scored a 48.250 on the uneven bars with Jen Liberato (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) pacing the team with a 9.750, which was good enough for second overall. Talucci finished third with a 9.725 and Biros was tied for fourth with a 9.700.
Pitt next moved to the balance beam, where they scored a 48.850 with exceptional performances from Talucci, with a career-high 9.900, and Thompson (Shokan, N.Y./Onteora), who tied her career high with a 9.850. The duo finished first and second respectively on the event.
On the final event of the night, the Panthers scored a 48.425 on the floor exercise with a team-best performance coming from Vafiadou (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah), who scored a 9.775, which was good enough for second overall.
Pitt will hit the road for a Friday night meeting at Arkansas on March 12 at 7 p.m. The Panthers wrap up the regular season Saturday, March 20 at Michigan State.
