Pitt sets records in win over Missouri

Career records fell as often as Gerald Ford, as Pitt’s women’s gymnastics team defeated the… Career records fell as often as Gerald Ford, as Pitt’s women’s gymnastics team defeated the Missouri Tigers on Saturday night at Fitzgerald Field House.

On the uneven bars alone, five Panthers tied or set new career high scores.

The Panthers’ score of 195.4 was the second highest in team history, just 0.525 points away from the school record of 195.925 set March 4, 2000, against Ohio State and Michigan State. They improved to 1-3 on the season.

Missouri finished with a score of 194.1, falling to 1-1.

“It was a nice win, a huge score, and a tremendous, awesome performance,” coach Debbie Yohman said.

As records were falling, the Pitt women were not.

“I’d have to look it up to see when the last time we hit 24 [routines] for 24,” Yohman said, referring to the fact that not a single Pitt gymnast fell during the competition.

Pitt junior Alyse Zeffiro and senior co-captain Nathalie Sulpher placed second and third, respectively, on the vault. Zeffiro tied her career-best score of 9.8, which also tied for third best in school history. Pitt senior Heather Launse, who placed fourth on the vault, set a career high with a 9.75.

Missouri’s Rachel Bridges finished first on the vault with a career best 9.85.

Panthers Leila Tait and Lindsay Swan each reached new career highs on the uneven bars with scores of 9.775. Marcy Blitz’s 9.825 was a personal best and earned her second place. April Pearson and Nathalie Sulpher, who finished third on the uneven bars, each tied their career marks in the event.

Missouri junior Andrea Nervig placed first on the uneven bars with a score of 9.85.

In the third rotation, Zeffiro reached a new career high of 9.9 on the beam, beating her old mark set last week by 0.175.

“I still want to hit a 9.9 on the floor [routine],” she said.

Junior Diandra O’Connor also scored a 9.9 in the event, tying her for first with Zeffiro.

The two scores of 9.9 are tied for fifth best in school history.

The Tigers’ Lauren Schwartzman rounded out the top three on the beam.

In her first time competing on the floor, Pitt freshman Roslyn Singleton tied for first with teammate Launse and Missouri’s Nervig and Schwartzman.

The Panthers topped the Tigers in all four events as well as in the all-around, where O’Connor and Sulpher finished first and second.

After the competition, Zeffiro and Yohman outlined their goals for the rest of the season.

“I want to hit consistently and do my best,” Zeffiro said about her personal aspirations. As far as the team is concerned, she said they want to show everyone who they are.

“My goal is getting them to believe they can do it,” Yohman said.

The Panthers look to even their conference record at 1-1 when they host New Hampshire, assistant coach Bethany Wagner’s alma mater, Friday at 7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House. Pitt lost to West Virginia in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League opener Jan. 11.