GYMNASTS DEFEAT EAGL RIVAL PITT TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN 2010

Saturday, January 30

University of New Hampshire

194.95

191.675

PITTSBURGH

GYMNASTS DEFEAT EAGL RIVAL PITT TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN 2010

1/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics

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CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PITT MEET

DURHAM, N.H.—The University of New Hampshire women's gymnastics team trailed after two events, but came roaring back on beam and floor to defeat EAGL rival Pitt (194.950-191.675) and remain undefeated this season.

The Wildcats, now 7-0 (8-0 with a club win over MIT), are perfect in 2010 so far after trailing the meet after the first two events (vault and beam), as UNH struggled in the vault. Pitt led by a 97.050-96.950 margin until the Wildcats took over the meet in the second half, posting a very impressive 49.1 as a team on beam and a mark of 48.9 on floor to take the victory. The score on beam fell short of the UNH all-time record of 49.325 and UNH's total mark of 194.950 was not far off its season-best of 195 recorded at the UNH Invitational on Jan. 17.

UNH's senior class continued to provide strong leadership, as Helena Diodati (Scarborough, Maine) took first place on bars with a 9.825 and Julie Sauchuck (Peabody, Mass.) tied for first in the floor exercise with a judgement of 9.825, along with junior Chelsea Steinberg (Ridgewood, N.J.), and senior Taryn LaFountain (Utica, N.Y.) tied for first on balance beam with Steinberg and sophomore Danielle Reibold (Horsham, Pa.). The 9.825 scores were personal bests for Steinberg and Reibold in the event. Diodati was also UNH's top finisher in vault as she posted the team's top score of 9.825 to earn third place. Another senior, Diane Grey (Spring, Texas) was strong for the team as well, recording a 9.75 on bars for second place overall.

Steinberg recorded her second straight collegiate all-around score, competing in all four events to post a 38.325 as UNH's top all-arounder, earning third place. Steinberg came away with two first-place finishes on the evening for the 'Cats.

Pitt was strong on vault as a team with a 49.075, but struggled on balance beam, recording a team mark of 46.9. Leading the Panthers was top all-arounder Alicia Talucci with a four-event total of 38.850.

The Wildcats will return to action on Sat., Feb. 6 at Missouri. The meet begins at 6:30 p.m. Up next at home for UNH is a meet on Feb. 12 vs. Brown. The action begins at 7 p.m. in Lundholm Gym. Tickets for all home gymnastics meets are available online at www.unhwildcats.com.