Panthers Tabbed Fourth in EAGL Preseason Poll
11/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
EAGL Release
PITTSBURGH – Looking to defend their first-ever East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) Championship, the University of Pittsburgh women’s gymnastics team has been picked to finish fourth in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Pitt received 19 votes, registering in fourth of six teams. North Carolina State led the way, receiving 31 votes, followed by George Washington (29) and New Hampshire (24) to round out the top three. Trailing Pitt, North Carolina received 15 votes to land in fifth, with Towson placing sixth with eight votes.
“One of the things we discussed with this year’s team was that we had to work hard to win that Championship last year, and repeating will be even harder,” said head coach Debbie Yohman. “Being the best team on the floor on any given day is not a laurel we can rest on – we have to do it again to prove ourselves. I think the team understands this and is very motivated and focused in practice on the EAGL goal and more. The preseason poll, I think, will give them that little extra jolt to keep producing through both their good and bad, easy and tough days.”
Despite losing one of the best gymnasts in program history with the graduation of Lindsay Offutt, Pitt returns a plethora of talent to the 2017 squad, led by seniors Kelly Burak, Tracey Pearson, Ellie Pikula and Erika Reichert. Pearson took 14th overall at the regional meet in the all-around with a score of 38.125, while Burak was named an alternate on beam.
The Panthers will unofficially open the season Dec. 9 with the annual Blue vs. Gold scrimmage with Kent State. The regular season will get underway Jan. 7 as the Panthers host regional foe and Big 10 powerhouse Ohio State, kicking off a string of three home meets in the month of January.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram