Panthers tumble into second place

The Pitt gymnastics team settled for second at the Pitt Invitational over the weekend, as costly… The Pitt gymnastics team settled for second at the Pitt Invitational over the weekend, as costly falls in the Panthers’ floor routine ensured the New Hampshire Wildcats first place in the four-team meet. ‘Pitt gymnastics does not fall on [the] floor,’ said Pitt coach Debbie Yohman. ‘And we have had four falls in the past two weeks from four different kids. That’s something we have to straighten out.’ On the positive side, Yohman singled out freshman Alicia Talucci and junior Shannon McConnell for their individual performances. In her second collegiate meet, Talucci scored a 9.775 on vault and a 9.750 on floor routine. ‘[Talucci had] two solid routines, and she also went exhibition on beam and just rocked,’ said Yohman. ‘She did a really nice job.’ McConnell scored a 9.725 on vault and a 9.675 on floor routine. Pitt’s overall score of 193.025 was an improvement over its season opener at Penn State, in which the team scored a 191.675. Still, New Hampshire scored a 194.025 and walked away with the win. Bridgeport placed third and Air Force finished fourth. ‘We had a lot of really good things that we worked on very hard, but we lost the meet,’ said Yohman. ‘We were so close. It could have gone either way by a hair.’ Two meets into the year and without a win, the squad has room for improvement. ‘ ‘I think they’re scared, and I think disappointed, too,’ said Yohman. ‘As long as they fight back, that’s what we want.’