University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Golden Flash Gala
Panthers Open Season in Impressive Fashion
12/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
KENT, Ohio--Freshman Taylor Ellis-Watson earned a spot in Pitt's history books, as the University of Pittsburgh women's track and field team opened the 2011-12 season in impressive fashion at the Golden Flash Gala hosted by Kent State.
Ellis-Watson set a school record in the 300M dash when she crossed the finish line in first place at 38.51. That time eclipsed the previous mark of 39.24 set by Tasha Peart in 2000 and is the fastest time in the nation at this point in the season.
Ellis-Watson was also the lead leg of the 4x400M relay team that posted a first place finish at 3:49.10. Ellis-Watson was joined by junior Arielle Fonrose, senior Cambrya Jones and junior Jonnique Lawrence.
Individually, Jones claimed a first-place performance in two events. She won the 60M dash and leads the nation with a 7.55 finish. Ellis-Watson was second overall (7.67) in the same event, as both recorded Big East qualifying times in the 60M dash.
Jones posted another Big East standard when she won the 200M dash with a time of 24.13. Junior Ashley Woodford crossed the finish line in fifth place (25.88) in the same event.
Additionally, three Panthers turned in top five efforts in the 500M dash, as senior Amanda Kuhl finished in third (1:16.44), Fonrose was fourth (1:16.74) and sophomore Jordan Lee rounded out the top five. Kuhl and Fonrose qualified for the Big East Championships with their performances.
In another top-three finish, sophomore Ashley Corum clinched second in the triple jump with a leap of 12.20M.
The Panthers will take a break for final exams and the holidays. They resume action on Jan. 7 in the Penn State Relays held at State College, Pa.
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