The Pitt women’s gymnastics team competed in five conference meets over spring break, but… The Pitt women’s gymnastics team competed in five conference meets over spring break, but managed only one win — a narrow 192.675-192.625 victory against George Washington University on March 5 at Fitzgerald Field House.

The other four East Atlantic Gymnastics League competitors, West Virginia, Maryland, Towson and Rutgers, claimed victory against the Panthers. On the same day that Pitt beat George Washington, the Panthers defeated non-conference opponent Wilson College in what would be their last home meet this season.

The Mountaineers outscored the Panthers on March 8, a day when Pitt recorded its highest point total of the season, with 193.350 points. West Virginia, however, was 1.575 points better in Morgantown, W.Va.

“WVU told us that they had competed against a different team than they had in January,” head coach Debbie Yohman said about the progress the Panthers have made this season.

At Towson, which hosted the quad meet with Pitt, Maryland and Rutgers on March 12, the Panthers scored high again with a total of 191.225 points, but the gymnasts from the other three schools all had great days, giving Pitt a fourth-place finish.

Towson took first with a score of 193.475, with Maryland and Rutgers following behind with 192.850 and 192.700 points, respectively.

“We lost that match on the beam,” Yohman said, “and the beam has not been a problem event for us all season.”

Pitt’s Andrea Arlotta claimed her sixth all-around first-place finish of the season, with a total score of 38.875 at Towson. Her second-place finish on the floor exercise (9.850 points) and her third-place finishes on the vault (9.825) and the uneven bars (9.775) propelled her to the first-place finish.

“Andrea is a heck of a competitor,” Yohman said.

Robyn Marszalek also recorded a respectable all-around score of 38.275 at Towson on Saturday. It was not only good enough for fourth place in the meet, but marked a career-high for the Pitt sophomore. She also set a career-high on the vault with her 9.675 at West Virginia on March 8.

In Pitt’s two wins on March 5, Arlotta surprised no one by taking first in the all-around for the third consecutive competition. She posted a 38.900, with first-place finishes on the vault (9.800) and in the floor exercise (9.8750).

Freshman Samatha DeBone, who participated as an all-around gymnast for the first time at Pitt, found a home at third place, scoring 39.425 points. Her high finish was powered by a tie for second on the uneven bars (9.700) and a first-place finish on the balance beam, which she shared with teammate Leila Tait. Both gymnasts posted a 9.750.

“Sam is working her way into being an all-around competitor,” Yohman said. “She was injured over Christmas but she’s worked through it [her injury] and has become such a good competitor for us.”

DeBone was also chosen as the EAGL Rookie of the Week for her performance in the past few meets.

Marszalek’s all-around score of 38.075 points placed her in fourth place, right behind DeBone.

Pitt will be back in action at 7 p.m. on Friday in Gainesville, Fla., where the Panthers will take on No. 10 University of Florida and Yale in a tri-meet.

Staff writer Jacque Skowvron also contributed to this report.