Cross Country Prepares for 2008 Opener
8/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh cross country team opens up its 2008 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Duquesne Duals, hosted by Duquesne. Pitt's women's team will open the day with a 5k race beginning at 9 a.m., in Schenley Park followed by a men's 8k race starting at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Senior Ali Briggs (Washington, Pa./Washington) enters her final season for the Panthers as the most consistent harrier from a year ago. She finished second overall at last year's Duquesne Duals, completing the 5k course in 18:32.00, helping the Panther women's team to a first place finish. Briggs, who improved her time in each race last year, concluded her junior year with a season-best 22:09.00 run at the NCAA Regionals.
On the men's side, sophomore Joshua Christopher (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) is the top returner. Christopher, who paced the Panthers in five of six races last season, led Pitt to a pair of second place team finishes in each of the team's first two meets last year.
This year's race features nine teams, including Canisius, Niagara, St. Bonaventure, Carnegie Mellon, Juniata, Wheeling Jesuit and St. Vincent in addition to Pitt and host Duquesne. At last year's Duquesne Duals, Pitt's women placed first while its men finished second.
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Players Mentioned
