Yohman Announces 2016 Pitt Gymnastics Schedule
10/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
2016 Schedule | 2016 Schedule (PDF)
PITTSBURGH – Poised to begin her 30th season with the University of Pittsburgh gymnastics program, head coach Debbie Yohman has announced the Panthers’ 2016 meet schedule.
“We’re quite excited about our 2016 schedule,” said Yohman. “It was a surprise as the schedule came together to see who all we will be competing against. It’s packed with newcomers that we don’t get to see very often, but also consists of ACC teams like UNC and NC State who are always strong.”
Following a highly competitive slate of meets, Pitt will cap off its home season hosting the 2016 EAGL Championships at 2 p.m. on March 19 at the Fitzgerald Field House.
“Hosting EAGLS at home is always an advantage,” said Yohman, who last season led Lindsay Offutt to a beam championship as Towson played host.
Prior to the Panthers officially opening their 2016 season, Pitt will travel to Kent State for its annual Blue/Gold meet on Dec. 11, 2015.
The regular season will begin in the new year with the Panthers hosting their first quad-meet against Maryland, Eastern Michigan and EAGL competitor Towson (Jan. 10).
Pitt will then head south for its first road trip of the season to Knoxville, Tenn., where the team is set to compete at the fourth annual OZONE Collegiate Gymnastics Classic. The Panthers will go head-to-head with United States Air Force Academy, Iowa State and Southeast Missouri at the Knoxville Convention Center (Jan. 16).
A week later, Pitt will return home to host EAGL foes New Hampshire and George Washington, along with Temple (Jan. 23). The New Hampshire Wildcats finished 2015 ranked 25th in the nation and placed second at EAGL Championships behind George Washington.
The squad will then hit the road for a three-meet stretch, beginning in East Lansing, Michigan. The Panthers will face Big Ten opponents Michigan State and Rutgers, along with Towson (Jan. 30). Pitt follows up with a trip to North Carolina, where they will compete against Bowling Green and EAGL opponents NC State and UNC (Feb. 6). The Panthers will round out their road stretch in Maryland against, Penn, Ursinus College and host Townson, who the Panthers will compete against for the third time this season.
“We have several opponents we meet more than once and we look at this at a great way to gauge improvement in the early part of the season and consistency heading into championships,” said Yohman.
Pitt will return to the Fitzgerald Field House to host Texas Woman’s University (Feb. 20), who played host to the 2015 NCAA Championships and will once again host in 2016.
The following weekend marks the Panthers’ second three-meet road stretch of the season, as Pitt will travel to Columbus, Ohio, College Park, Md., and Morgantown, W. Va. The Panthers are set to take on Big Ten foe Ohio State along with Eastern Michigan (Feb. 27), before competing against Maryland, Texas Woman’s University, George Washington, and Yale (Mar. 6).
New to the schedule, with hopes in becoming a yearly tradition, Pitt will brawl with West Virginia in a weekend doubleheader. The two teams will first meet in Morgantown, W. Va. (March 11) and then end in Pittsburgh (March 13). The Panthers and Mountaineers will have two opportunities to add strong qualifying scores for NCAA Regionals, prior to conference championships.
“Our programs are so close that it’s easy to compete against each other and it’s a natural rivalry that we can play up to produce big performances right before our conference meets,” said Yohman.
Pitt’s competition against West Virginia will be its lone dual meet on the road.
The EAGL conference consists of North Carolina, NC State, Towson, New Hampshire and George Washington, in addition to the University of Pittsburgh. Last season, George Washington earned its first EAGL Championship after posting a team score of 195.850. Along with George Washington, New Hampshire and NC State earned a bid to take part in the NCAA Regionals. Pitt, North Carolina and Towson all sent individuals.
West Virginia, who was a part of the EAGL conference through 2012 (now a part of the Big 12), leads with seven titles all-time. NC State and North Carolina follow, with five apiece.
Following the EAGL Championships, NCAA Regionals will take place on April 2 at various sites across the country. The NCAA Nationals are set to take place in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 14-17.
Pitt returns 13 gymnasts from last season, including Offutt, who will look to improve upon her sixth place individual finish last season on beam at the NCAA Regionals.
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HOME EVENTS
Eastern Michigan, Townson [Sunday, Jan. 10Maryland, 2 p.m.]
New Hampshire, George Washington, Temple [Saturday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m]
Texas Woman’s University [Saturday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m.]
West Virginia [Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m.]
EAGL CHAMPIONSHIPS [Saturday, March 19, 2 p.m.]