Panthers Set for Autism Awareness Meet Sunday

PITTSBURGH – Pitt gymnastics (0-1, 0-1 EAGL) will aim for its first win of 2020 while raising awareness for autism in a dual meet with Ball State (1-1, 0-0 MAC) Sunday at 2 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House. March-in will begin promptly at 1:45 p.m.

Pitt Gymnastics Meet Day Guide 02

HOW TO FOLLOW

The meet will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, available via the WatchESPN app.

Live scoring will be available via PittsburghPanthers.com.
Fans can follow along with live updates on Twitter and Instagram @Pitt_GYM.
Tickets are available at PittsburghPanthers.com or by calling the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-PITT (7488).

PROMOTIONS

Team Poster #1 Giveaway: The first of three team schedule posters will be released at the meet
Season Ticket Holder Gift Pickup: Pitt's season ticket holders may pick up their gift at the meet for purchasing 2020 tickets
Student Organization Contest: The student organization with the most representatives at the meet will receive free pizza at a later date of its choosing

PHILANTHROPY OF THE MEET

Autism Awareness: Fans are encouraged to wear blue in support of Autism Awareness Sunday.
The Panthers will be giving away free blue pompoms at the meet.
Earlier this week, the gymnasts made a trip to the Pressley Ridge School for Autism in Pittsburgh. The Panthers played bingo and spent time interacting with the students.

#PITTSBURT

Senior Michaela Burton earned the first East Atlantic Gymnastics League Gymnast of the Week honors of the 2020 season, as announced Tuesday.
Making her Pitt gymnastics debut Saturday afternoon against No. 18 New Hampshire, Burton won all three events in which she competed at Fitzgerald Field House. In her first meet as a Panther, the senior transfer championed uneven bars (9.85), balance beam (9.85) and floor exercise (9.825). The Downers Grove, Ill., native currently leads the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) on bars and beam, and ranks third on floor.
Burton is the first Pitt gymnast to earn the honors since Lindsay Offutt received the accolades three times during the 2016 season. Burton is the fifth Panther ever to earn the honor, joining Offutt, Tracey Pearson (2016), Alicia Talucci (2009, 2010) and Alix Croop (2009).

LAST TIME OUT

Despite three event victories for senior Michaela Burton, the Panthers fell to No. 18 New Hampshire in their season opener Saturday, Jan. 11, by a score of 194.225-193.800.
In addition to Burton's three titles, three other Panthers reached the podium, including senior Deven Herbine, who earned second place on vault (9.775) and third on beam (9.775), senior Alecia Petrikis, who placed third on vault (9.750), and freshman Christina Weiss, who was runner-up on bars (9.775).

SCOUTING THE CARDINALS

Ball State (1-1, 0-0 MAC) came in second place in its season-opening tri-meet at Iowa Saturday, Jan. 11, in Iowa City. The Cardinals (192.775) topped Air Force (188.650) but fell to the Hawkeyes (195.550).
The Cardinals are ranked No. 48 overall by RoadToNationals.com. They rank 30th on vault, 50th on bars, 52nd on beam and 49th on floor.
The Panthers are 10-3 all-time when competing against the Cardinals, including a 6-2 mark at home. Pitt has won the last five meetings with Ball State, including last season's win at home on Feb. 22, 2019 (195.425-195.025).
The Panthers' last loss to Ball State came Jan. 11, 2003, at home (192.925-190.950). Pitt has won the last two meetings at Fitzgerald Field House.

UP NEXT

For its first road meet of the season, Pitt will get a preview of the 2020 EAGL Championship site, visiting North Carolina Saturday, Jan. 25, at 4 p.m. in Chapel Hill, N.C.

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