O’Rourke named EAGL co-Specialist of the Week

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Pitt senior gymnast Katie O’Rourke has been named the East Atlantic Gymnastics League co-EAGL Specialist of the Week, according to an announcement from the league Wednesday. The Panthers opened the first week of their season Friday with a win over Towson at the Fitzgerald Field House.

“What a way to start the season,” Pitt head coach Debbie Yohman said. “Katie has been working so hard. I have said more than once she’s in mid-season form already, which will have her routines looking sharp and even more confident by championship season.”

O’Rourke delivered a meet-best and career-high 9.85 score on the balance beam Friday, and posted another score of 9.85 on her floor routine. O’Rourke’s floor routine tied her with teammate Lindsay Offutt for first place at the meet.

North Carolina sophomore Lexi Cappalli shared the honors with O’Rourke after she earned scores of 9.775 for her performance on the vault, 9.875 on the uneven bars and 9.875 on her floor routine in the Tar Heels’ victory over North Carolina State.

O’Rourke, from Springfield, Va., was a First Team All-EAGL selection for the floor routine in her junior season. She was also named to the All-EAGL Second Team for the balance beam that year.

The league award is a continuation of O’Rourke’s success in her junior campaign and the solid start to her senior season.

“I think she’s feeling good about that right now,” Yohman said. “This recognition will reinforce the work she’s been doing.”