Pitt Gymnastics To Host West Virginia In Blue-Gold Scrimmage
12/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Dec. 8, 2011
PITTSBURGH -
The Pitt gymnastics team will host East Atlantic Gymnastics League foe West Virginia in a preseason Blue-Gold scrimmage at Fitzgerald Field House on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.
Pitt's Blue-Gold meet is typically an inter-squad meet, but has taken a different angle this year. The Panthers and Mountaineers will not meet up again this season prior to the EAGL Championship meet, which will also be held at Fitzgerald Field House on March 24, and there was an opportunity for the teams to meet in the preseason.
"I think the meet will be beneficial for both teams," Pitt head coach Debbie Yohman said. "Finals and Christmas break always come at an inconvenient time in the month before NCAA gymnastics season opens!! But adding a preseason meet with a close rival has brought a new focus to the few weeks of December training. We will still be using safety spots where appropriate because it's so early but overall it will be a good look at how ready we are."
The Panthers are led by Yohman, who is in her 26th season at the helm of the program. Pitt returns nine letterwinners from last year's squad, including four seniors.
West Virginia has a new head coach for the first time in 37 years in Jason Butts. The first-year head coach is also just the third coach in Mountaineer history.
Pitt opens the regular season on Jan. 13 at Maryland and will host its home opener on Jan. 27 against Ohio State at 7 p.m.