Pitt
NCAA Mid East Regional Championships
Pitt Cross Country Finishes Season With Successful NCAA Regional Meet
11/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Nov. 12, 2005
PITTSBURGH -
The Pitt cross country team has faced numerous challenges this season with a number of injuries to key runners, and despite some setbacks, the team has remained positive, finishing off their season with some top-notch performances at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals today. The Panthers had three top-35 finishes in Sam Bair, Tim Konoval and Nicki Angstadt, and the men's team recorded a seventh-place finish with a six-man roster.
Leading the way for the men was Bair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) finishing in ninth with a time of 30:37. Bair has been a top-runner all season for the Panthers, posting a top-20 finish in every competition. Still, his focus has turned towards the indoor track season which begins December 2. "I felt like I ran a solid race," he said. "I'm really kind of excited for the indoor season. I've been training hard and I don't have any injuries which should be a great opportunity for me in indoor track." With a time of 31:16.2, Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Central Connecticut State) finished in 28th overall, adding his name to the record books as well. Other top performances came from Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) in 51st and Steve Gonzalez (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) in 75th. Curtis Larimer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer) and Jesse Mang (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) were also able to contribute to the men's top finish.
The Panther women were led by Angstadt (Kutztown, Pa./Fleetwood) who finished in 34th with a time of 21:41.6. Like Bair, Angstadt is already looking towards the indoor track season after contributing to the team's championship season last year. "I was more satisfied with my Big East performance," she said. "It will be nice to take some time to re-group before the indoor and outdoor track seasons and as a team, build on our performance." Rounding out the top three for the Panthers was Suzy Bossart (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) and Candice Coholich (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton). Ali Briggs (Washington, Pa./Washington), Abby Zaylor (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) and Monica Bhattacharjee (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) also contributed to the team's 13th-place finish.
Even though the season is finished from a team standpoint, at-large bids will be determined on Sunday which means Bair could still potentially qualify for the NCAA Championships in two weeks. The indoor track season will kick off on December 2 with the annual Blue/Gold competition at the Fitzgerald Field House.
