By making two all-conference first teams and one second-team, Pitt gymnast Alyse Zeffiro… By making two all-conference first teams and one second-team, Pitt gymnast Alyse Zeffiro had a successful season.

And for that reason, The Pitt News sports staff selected her as not only the Female Athlete of the Winter, but as the Female Athlete of the Year as well.

Zeffiro set a school record this season with a 9.95 in the floor exercise and led the Panthers in scoring in two events. Then she found some time to answer some of our crazy questions.

The Pitt News: Why did you decide to compete in gymnastics?

Alyse Zeffiro: I was on a tiny tot team and the coach said I had a bit of potential and talent to compete, so my mom and I decided to try and see how I did in competition.

TPN: Obviously the decision worked out well.

AZ: Yeah, it was a good choice.

TPN: What is you favorite event?

AZ: The floor exercise because I get to perform and smile. Plus, I get to tumble. I think tumbling is my best quality, and I like to show off my best quality.

TPN: What would the outcome of your ideal meet be?

AZ: By the end of college, I would like to get a 10 on the floor. [It would also include] a school record on the beam and the same on the vault.

TPN: What is you favorite sport other than gymnastics?

AZ: (laughing) If I could do it?

TPN: To do or to watch.

AZ: I like football a lot.

TPN: If you could do it?

AZ: Probably football, too. I like the excitement.

TPN: Which team has the better football uniforms: the Steelers or Pitt?

AZ: (laughing) We do.

TPN: What is the funniest, or oddest sounding, word or phrase that is commonly used in gymnastics?

AZ: We don’t usually use any funny phrases, at least none that I can think of.

TPN: This probably goes a long way back, but what is your most embarrassing moment while competing?

AZ: The first time I ever competed at level 10, I was doing the vault and I kind of missed my hands. I flipped over the horse and landed on my head. That was my second vault, and we got two, but I got up and asked the judges if I could go again. It was definitely my most embarrassing moment.

TPN: When you’re not practicing or in class, what do you do in you’re spare time?

AZ: I just like to hang out with my friends. Shopping is my weakness (laughing). I do what any other normal person does.

TPN: If you could go on a date with anyone on campus, who would it be?

AZ: Anyone on campus? (laughing) I would have said Ben Howland, but he’s not really here anymore. I think it would be interesting to sit down and talk with Walt Harris.

TPN: We do too.