Pitt Cross Country Prepares for Big East Championships
10/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 26, 2005
PITTSBURGH - The Pitt cross country team will travel to Bronx, N.Y. for the second time this season as they'll face many of their rivals in the Big East Championships. The races are set for Friday, October 28, with the women's race scheduled for 12:30 p.m., and the men's race at 1:10 p.m.
Looking to make history for the Panthers is sophomore Sam Bair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area). Bair has been a leading runner for the Panthers all season, winning the Duquesne Duals and posting top-15 finishes at both the Iona Meet of Champions and Paul Short Invitational. In his last race at Van Cortlandt Park, Bair finished in 11th place ahead of all other Big East competitors. Should Bair break into the top-25 at the championships, he'll be the first male runner to do so since 1994 when Mike Umbleby finished third and Dennis Kuntz finished 20th.
Other key contributors to the men's line up will be junior Tim Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Central Connecticut State) who finished 30th at last year's competition, junior Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) who has been a consistent competitor throughout the season, and Steve Gonzalez (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) after breaking into the Panthers' top-three at the National Invitational. Despite a season plagued by injuries, the Panthers are focused on beating their seventh-place finish from last season.
On the women's team, senior Nicki Angstadt (Kutztown, Pa./Fleetwood) should be a solid competitor after leading the team in most competitions this year. Angstadt finished 47th at last year's meet and 32nd at Van Cortlandt earlier this year. Also looking to improve the team's standings will be sophomore Ali Briggs (Washington, Pa./Washington), junior Suzy Bossart (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) and sophomore Nikki Bielick (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem). Sophomore Candice Coholich (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton) and senior Abby Zaylor (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) have also strengthened the line up in recent weeks.
Race results will be posted on PittsburghPanthers.com after the competition. Additionally, the Big East is expanding their media coverage this year by having the championship televised nationally via tape delay. Panther fans can catch their runners in action on CSTV at 9 p.m. on November 13.