Bryan hoping to lead Pitt to NCAAs

Before Pitt gymnast Dani Bryan takes to the bars, she always tells herself, ‘Relax. Put your… Before Pitt gymnast Dani Bryan takes to the bars, she always tells herself, ‘Relax. Put your body where you want it and go.’ While it seems simple, this mantra has given her success through a difficult year. This time last year, Bryan suffered one of gymnastics worst injuries ‘mdash; a torn achilles tendon. The average person takes eight to 12 months to recover, but Bryan took only seven. Not only is she competing again, but she is also setting the standard in the EAGL conference on both the floor and vault. Bryan is currently ranked second in the region on vault and 23rd in the nation. The vault and floor events hinge on leg strength, thus her dominant performances are all the more impressive. Pitt coach Debbie Yohman said that these two events are usually the hardest for a gymnast to return to after a leg injury. This season, Bryan has taken first place on the vault five times, finishing no worse than second. As a junior, Bryan and senior co-captain Alix Croop have led the Panthers to a 7-6 record, with last week’s close loss to Maryland being the last decision. The Panthers will travel to NC State for Saturday’s EAGL Championship, where a strong performance is necessary to qualify for the NCAA Regionals ‘mdash; a goal they have been working for all season. ‘The loss to Maryland makes the kids hungrier,’ said Yohman. ‘The goal is to go in [to EAGL Championship] and show everyone else we are one of those strong teams.’ As a freshman, Bryan was the EAGL Champion on the vault, and she’s hoping to reclaim that title this weekend. Freshman Alicia Talucci and EAGL Specialist of the Week Croop are also hoping to walk away with titles of their own. Currently, the Panthers are ranked 38th, meaning a strong EAGL showing is their only hope of making it to the NCAA Regionals, where only the top 36 compete. ‘We need the meet of our lives at this Championship,’ said Yohman.