Track Kicks Off with Blue and Gold Intrasquad
11/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Nov. 23, 2008
The Pittsburgh men's and women's track and field team enters into the 2008-09 indoor season this weekend with its two day annual Blue and Gold intrasquad meet. The competition begins at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at the Cost Center with jumps, throws and sprints. Action continues on Monday, Nov. 24 in Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House with relays and distance events beginning at 3:30 p.m.
NCAA All-American and returning senior, Mike Wray, will be a key contributor for the men's squad in hurdle events. Last season, Wray was the only competitor to break the 14-second mark in the prelims of the 110-meter hurdles during Big East Championships. He went on to claim first in the finals with a time of 13.83, marking his fourth All-Big East honor.
Senior Eric Jones will also help lead the men in the indoor season. Last season, Jones finished first during the Big East Indoor Championship in the triple jump, jumping a length of 15.26 meters. He earned a fifth place finish in the same event at the IC4A Indoor Championship in Boston with a distance of 15.09 meters.
Coming off a fifth place turn finish a year ago, the women's team will look to improve with the leadership of senior Raquel Bender. Bender ran a sub-7.9 in every 60 meter dash during the indoor season last year, including a season-best time of 7.71 at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. She also tallied two top-ten finishes in the 200 meter dash, running a season-best 24.50 at the ECAC Championships during the 2007-08 indoor season.
Other notable returnees are seniors, Mycaiah Clemons and Janessa Murphy. Last season, Clemons placed 2nd in the 60m hurdles with times of 8.37 and 8.50 at the ECAC Championships and at the Big East Indoor Championships respectively.
Murphy defended her titles in the long jump at the ECAC Indoor Championship with a distance of 6.07 meters and the Big East Indoor Championships at 6.10 meters, placing ninth in the triple jump at the Big East Indoor Championship at 11.67 meters.
The Blue and Gold meet is open to the public and admission is free to all who would like to attend. The Panthers officially opens the indoor season Dec. 5-6 at the Golden Plush Gala, hosted by Kent State University.