Three Pitt Gymnasts Receive All-EAGL Honors
3/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 18, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Three Pitt gymnasts were recognized by the East Atlantic Gymnastics League receiving first and second team selections, it was announced today at the annual awards ceremony.
Earning All-EAGL First Team honors on beam were juniors Alicia Talucci (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) and Lisa Taylor (Odessa, Fla./Tampa). With two gymnasts as first team selections, Pitt led the EAGL on beam as the lone team with more than one honoree.
Talucci, the 2009 EAGL Rookie of the Year, has grabbed a first team selection on beam each year as a Pitt gymnast. She holds three first team selections on beam, two in the all-around competition and is a one-time honoree on both floor and vault through her career with the Panthers. On the season, Talucci holds a 9.683 average on beam.
"Alicia shows consistency on beam, and she's proven that by being a three-time first team selection. She is a rock" remarked Head Coach Debbie Yohman.
First time honoree Taylor, has had a spectacular season on beam sticking each one of her routines. She carries a 9.689 average on the year, with a career- and season-high 9.775 performance against NC State.
"This is such a great honor for Lisa" explained Yohman. "She's gotten better with each and every meet, and didn't suffer a fall once this year. People should strive to accomplish what Lisa has done this year."
In her first competitive season, after being sidelined with an injury, sophomore Alyssa Adrian (Cary, N.C./Green Hope) was named an All-EAGL Second Team selection on uneven bars. It is the first league honor for Adrian, who has been a top performer on bars for the Panthers since her debut against EAGL foes West Virginia and Rutgers.
Adrian finished the regular season with a 9.561 average on bars - 11th in the conference. She has a career-high 9.825 in the event, which she has hit twice this season.
Senior and co-team captain, Mallory Brewer (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids C.C.) was honored as Pitt's Team MVP. Brewer, who has had a spectacular senior campaign, is Pitt's top performer on floor.
"Mallory has had such a comeback this year" said Yohman. "With her only competing on floor, it shows the quality and depth of her leadership on this team. She has given her all, she really deserved it."
This season she has set a new personal record three times, with the feat she now holds a career-high 9.875 in the event.
Competition for the EAGL Championships begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, D.C.