Pitt Gymnastics Signs Two To Letter of Intent
11/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Nov. 16, 2011
PITTSBURGH - Pitt gymnastics head coach Debbie Yohmanhas announced the signing of two gymnasts to a letter of intent for the 2012-13 season. Lisa Soto of Weddington, N.C., and Lindsay Offutt of White Lake, Mich., will officially join the Panthers next fall.
Soto, who attends Sun Valley High School, is a five-year level 10 at Southeastern Gymnastics under Ludmilla Shobe. In 2011 and 2010, Soto was a J.O. National Qualifier and placed seventh on bars in 2010. At the 2011 Region 8 meet, Soto placed third in the all-around, second on vault, third on beam and fourth on bars. In 2010, she earned the bars titles at both the state and regional meet as well as finishing second in the all-around. In 2006 and 2007, Soto was the Puerto Rico National all-around champion. Soto is the daughter of Steffen and Lisvette Soto and has two younger sisters.
"We are so pleased to be getting this commitment from Lisa Soto," Yohman said. "Lisa is a solid all-arounder and great competitor. Her skill list starts with two big vaults and she has lots of difficulty on the other three events also. She loves to compete and has an excellent work ethic. She will be our third gymnast from North Carolina and our second from Southeastern. Coach Shobe does a great job with her athletes and we are fortunate to now have a relationship with them."
Offutt is a five-year level 10 who trains at Oakland Gymnastics in Commerce Township, Mich., under Ruth Miller and Mel Foster. The Lakeland High School student earned the Michigan state floor title in 2011 and finished second on the beam and third in the all-around. Also in 2011, Offutt claimed the NIT floor championship. In 2009, she was named as a National Team member and placed third in the all-around, won the floor title and finished ninth on vault. The prior year, in 2008, Offutt finished second in the all-around and fourth on vault, beam and floor. Offutt is the daughter of Jacqueline and Mike Offutt and has an older brother and sister. She was named as a "Student of the Month" in 2010 at Lakeland High, and is actively involved with various volunteer activities in her community.
"Lindsay is another athlete who impressed us with her hard work and dedication," Yohman said. "She happens to be someone who was flying a bit under the radar so we feel we got a real treasure. She has some excellent competitive experience as well as results, has a real passion for the sport and cannot wait to join us at Pitt. She is a real powerhouse on floor and carries that talent over to her other events. She will join former teammate Haley Sedgewickhere and from what we've seen these kids come from Oakland with a tremendous amount of discipline and desire."
The Panthers open up action on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. in a scrimmage against West Virginia at Fitzgerald Field House. The regular-season opener will be Jan. 13 on the road at Maryland at 7 p.m.