Pitt’s Shields Earns All-Region Honors at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Meet

Friday, November 9

University Park, Pa.

Noon

Pitt

NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional

Pitt’s Shields Earns All-Region Honors at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Meet

11/9/2018 5:24:00 PM | Cross Country

Women's Results Men's Results

Junior Named to All-Region Team, Men Earn Best Finish in 12 Years

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Pitt junior Sam Shields earned All-Region honors with a 10th-place finish in the women's 6K at the NCAA Cross Country Mid-Atlantic Regional meet Friday in University Park, Pa.

The honors are the first of her career. With a time of 21:29, her 10th-place finish is the best individual placement for a Panther since Gillian Schriever took fifth in 2016.

On the men's side, the Panthers made their best team finish at the regional meet since 2006, taking ninth place with 277 points. Sophomore Zach Lefever was first to cross the finish line for Pitt in the 10K, placing 37th at 32:15. Freshman Tyler Rollins placed 44th at 32:33, followed closely by junior Nick Wolk in 45th (32:33). Rookie Brian Spolarich was 60th (32:47), with Josh Higgins (91st, 33:12) and Jackson Morton (108th, 33:51) completed scoring for the Panthers.

"The men competed hard," Herbster said. "For Nick [Wolk] to fight through some challenges all fall and come out and lead this group was awesome. They had their highest finish in 12 years but four of our guys had never seen a 10K before today. They were relaxed and competed hard. It's always good to end the season with a strong performance. Zach [Lefever] stepped up today and was our No. 1, and [Tyler] Rollins closed well."

Led by Shields, the women's cross country team finished ninth with 298 points. Senior Natalie Hilton was next to finish behind Shields in 41st place (22:09), and Erin Keelan followed in 78th (22:47). Senior Makenzie Zeh placed 80th (22:49), followed by classmates Schriever (89th, 22:56) and Miranda Salvo (91st, 22:58). Sophomore Emily Burd rounded out scoring for the Panthers at 114th (23:20).

"The women started the day off strong," Herbster said. "I'm proud of the entire group as they got out in tough conditions and battled, scrapped and fought for places. For Natalie, Erin, Makenzie and Gillian to pick people off was good to see as it helped the team score."

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