Panthers Ready for Quad Meet at Towson

PITTSBURGH – Pitt gymnastics (2-5-1, 2-4-1 EAGL) will compete in its first of two consecutive road quad meets by traveling to Towson, Md., to face the host Towson Tigers (4-6, 4-5 EAGL) in addition to LIU (0-1, 0-1 EAGL) and No. 24 North Carolina (4-1, 3-0 EAGL) Friday at 6 p.m. ET at SECU Arena.

HOW TO FOLLOW

The meet will be streamed live on TowsonTigers.com.

Live scoring will be available via Statbroadcast.com.
Fans can follow along with live updates on Twitter and Instagram @Pitt_GYM.

LAST TIME OUT

In a meet promoting unity and equality, Pitt tied its opponent, Temple, with a score of 194.525 Sunday afternoon at Fitzgerald Field House.
The Panthers debuted black leotards emblazoned with the letters "BLM" on the arm to promote inclusion with the theme of "Until We Unite."
The tie is Pitt's third in program history, and the first since Jan. 23, 2004, with West Virginia in a tri-meet hosted by the Mountaineers, where the teams each recorded a score of 195.300. Pitt's only other tie also came against West Virginia, this time on Feb. 15, 1986, with scores of 177.500.
Three Panthers earned event wins: Katrina Coca on uneven bars, Jordan Ceccarini on floor exercise, and Lauren Beckwith in the all-around. Coca and Ceccarini each tied their season-high scores of 9.875 on their respective events. Beckwith recorded season-high scores on vault (9.700) and beam (9.950), as well as the all-around (38.125).

LEO OF THE WEEK, AGAIN

For the second time this season, Pitt topped the College Gym News weekly leotard rankings. The Panthers' new leotard for their #UntilWeUnite Meet, featuring the letters "BLM" on the arm, took home top marks by the outlet's editors.
Following Pitt's first meet of the season, College Gym News named Pitt's leotard as the nation's top-ranked leo of the week (Jan. 27). The Panthers debuted a new leo for their Pride meet, which they accessorized with rainbow face coverings, temporary tattoos and ribbons.

RANKING THE PANTHERS

Katrina Coca ranks fourth in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) on uneven bars with an average score of 9.845, ranked No. 50 in the nation. Last time out against Temple, she tied her season-high score of 9.875 for the third time.
As a team, Pitt is third in the EAGL on balance beam with an average score of 48.610, behind North Carolina (49.033) and Towson (48.620).

SCOUTING THE SHARKS

The LIU women's gymnastics team (0-1, 0-1 EAGL) competed for the first time in program history Saturday, hosting New Hampshire in its inaugural meet at the Pratt Recreation Center. The visiting Wildcats just edged out the Sharks, earning a 192.050-190.575 victory in East Atlantic Gymnastics League action.
Friday will be Pitt's first meeting with LIU in program history, with 2021 being the Sharks' first year as an NCAA Division I gymnastics program.
The 2021 campaign marks LIU's first season as a member of the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL). The Sharks join Temple as the league's two newest members.

SCOUTING THE 24TH-RANKED TAR HEELS

Last time out, in its first home meet of 2021, then-ranked No. 23 North Carolina (4-1, 3-0 EAGL) topped No. 25 NC State, 195.300-195.025. The Tar Heels' score was the team's highest total since posting a 195.375 on Feb. 17, 2020.
North Carolina leads the EAGL on beam with an average team score of 49.033. Elizabeth Culton is the league's top performer on balance beam (9.933) and is tied for second on bars (9.850).
Friday will the 46th all-time meeting between Pitt and North Carolina, and the second in 2021. Last time the teams faced each other, UNC earned a victory in a quad meet hosted by NC State, 195.600-192.125. The Tar Heels own a 21-10 advantage in the all-time record when competing against Pitt at a neutral site.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS

Friday will be the third of four regular-season meetings with Towson in 2021. Pitt has split the season series so far, winning the first meeting in Pittsburgh (195.700-194.474, Jan. 31) and dropping the second at NC State (194.475-192.125).
Towson ranks No. 2 in the EAGL on beam with an average team score of 48.610. The Tigers' Lauren Bolen is the league leader in the all-around (38.922). Sophomore Camille Vitoff earned Co-Gymnast of the Week honors from the EAGL this week, alongside teammate Jenna Weitz who picked up Specialist of the Week recognition.
Towson holds a 27-19 advantage in the all-time series against Pitt, in addition to a 2-9 edge when competing at home in Towson, Md.

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