PITT ATHLETICS TOP MOMENTS OF 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, Pitt Athletics takes a look back at the top highlights throughout the year.
From huge victories to upgrades with a major impact, view our top moments of 2019 below.
Hail to Pitt!
JANUARY 14, 2019
MCGOWENS AND JOHNSON LEAD PITT TO WIN OVER NO. 11 FLORIDA STATE
MEN'S BASKETBALL SNAPSHOT VS. FLORIDA STATE
Trey McGowens poured in 30 points, Xavier Johnson added 18 -- including consecutive buckets in the final four minutes after Florida State cut Pitt's lead to five -- and the Panthers pulled away from the 11th-ranked Seminoles for a 75-62 victory Monday, Jan. 14 at the Petersen Events Center.
Less than a week after setting a school record for a freshman by scoring 33 points against Louisville, McGowens threatened that mark by attacking the bigger, deeper Seminoles repeatedly, often resulting in an acrobatic layup or a foul or -- occasionally -- both. McGowens made 18-of-19 free throws for the Panthers (12-5, 2-2 ACC), who outscored the Seminoles 38-20 at the line.
Pitt started three freshmen – Johnson, McGowens and Au’Diese Toney – for the 17th consecutive game of the season and the trio responded by scoring 57 of Pitt’s 72 points.
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
PANTHERS DEFEAT UNC FOR FIRST ACC WIN UNDER COACH WHITE
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SNAPSHOT VS. UNC
Behind a career-high 27 points from senior forward Danielle Garven, the Pitt women’s basketball team was able to secure head coach Lance White’s first career ACC head coaching victory in front of the home fans as the Panthers downed North Carolina, 91-78, on Thursday, Feb. 14. The 91 points scored by the Panthers were a season-high and also marked the most points Pitt has scored in an ACC game since joining the conference.
Garven couldn’t be stopped down low as she netted 27 points and seven rebounds while connecting on 13-for-18 from the floor, her second 20+ point effort of the season. Fellow senior Cassidy Walsh also posted a career-best night for the Panthers in the win as she finished with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists while connecting on 6-of-8 from behind the arc.
The Panthers were able to shoot a season-best 59% from the floor in the victory while also improving to 9-0 on the season when scoring 60+ points.
MARCH 21-23, 2019
PITT HOSTS NCAA DIVISION 1 WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
PITT WRESTLING SNAPSHOT AT NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The University of Pittsburgh, in conjunction with SportsPittsburgh, hosted the 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships March 21-23 at PPG Paints Arena. The three-day, six-session event saw an attendance of 53,919.
Five wrestlers from Pitt represented the University in Micky Phillippi (133), Taleb Rahmani (157), Nino Bonaccorsi (184), Kellan Stout (197) and Demetrius Thomas (285).
APRIL 5, 2019
BRITTANY WEST QUALIFIES FOR NCAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
NCAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SNAPSHOT
Making her first appearance at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship, senior Brittany West represented the University of Pittsburgh as a balance beam specialist in regional action at Stegeman Coliseum on April 5, 2019.
With West’s qualification, the Panthers were represented at the NCAA Regional for the 15th consecutive year, and for the 24th time in the last 25 seasons (missing only the 2004 season).
West entered the meet as one of the nation’s top 16 event specialists based on national qualifying scores (NQS). She competed at the regional meet for the first time in her career, after having to sit out the Panthers’ team appearance at the meet in 2018 due to injury.
Competing in the first rotation alongside California, West completed her collegiate gymnastics career by earning a 9.750.
A Clermont, Fla., native, West earned season-best scores of 9.875 twice, and received two individual titles during the 2019 regular season. West was named to the All-East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) First Team for beam for the first time her career prior to the EAGL Championship meet.
APRIL 7, 2019
PITT ATHLETICS REVEALS NEW BRAND
PITT ATHLETICS INTRODUCES NEW COLORS, SECONDARY LOGOS, TYPEFACE & FONTS | THE REVEAL SNAPSHOT
Pitt Athletics introduced its new colors, secondary logos, typeface & fonts publicly Sunday, April 7. The new visual identity was the culmination of two-year collaboration with Nike Global Identity Group to rebrand Pitt Athletics.
The Reveal featured a fashion show style introduction of Pitt's uniforms for the 2019-20 season across its 19 athletic programs. Current and former student-athletes modeled the uniforms and select apparel on stage and there are also video features on the development and process behind Pitt's new marks and uniforms
Following The Reveal, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official opening of the Nike Store at The Pitt Shop on Forbes Avenue. The Nike Store was renovated and re-opened as a Pitt branded Nike concept shop within the Pitt Shop on Forbes Ave. It features all new Nike product utilizing the new athletics marks and visual identity.
Gallery: The Reveal
MAY 3, 2019
BELL GUIDES PANTHERS TO WIN OVER FLORIDA STATE IN RETURN TO TALLAHASSEE
BASEBALL SNAPSHOT VS. FLORIDA STATE
Returning to face his former program for the first time, first-year head coach Mike Bell’s Panthers captured an impressive 10-0 win to open the ACC Series in Tallahassee, Fla. Starter Derek West, a Houston Astros draft pick in the 14th round, allowed just five hits and one walk in seven innings, and Chase Smith retired all six batters faced with three strikeouts. Second Team All-ACC selection Nico Popa led the Panthers at the plate with a two-run homer and two-RBI double.
MAY 4, 2019
PITT CLOSES OUT 2019 SEASON WITH SWEEP OF BOSTON COLLEGE
SOFTBALL SNAPSHOT VS. BOSTON COLLEGE
In a high scoring ACC affair at Vartabedian Field on May 4, the Panthers trailed Boston College, 12-11, heading into the bottom half of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, junior Kaitlyn Kruger delivered a pinch-hit grand slam over the left field fence, giving Pitt its third win in a row and first ACC series win of the season. Sophomore Hunter Levesque also hit a grand slam earlier in the game, while freshman Abby Edwards earned her sixth win of the season, throwing two shutout innings in relief
MAY 9-11, 2019
PANTHERS SHINE AT OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
TRACK & FIELD'S SNAPSHOT OF THE ACC / NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2019 outdoor season for the Pitt track & field team was one to remember as the Pitt men were able to post there highest finish in program history at the ACC Championships, taking home fourth place with a team score of 62. Freshman hurdler Sydni Townsend also became the first Pitt female hurdler since 2006 to earn All-America honors as she posted a 14th place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Texas.
Highlights
- Freshman Sydni Townsend had a spectacular first season for Pitt as she became the first Pitt female hurdler since 2006 to earned Second Team All-America honors, taking home 14th place overall at the NCAA Championships in the 400m hurdles.
- Townsend was also tabbed as the ACC Freshman of the Year for her efforts, becoming the first Panther in program history to earn an ACC postseason award. She earned All-ACC honors in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay and currently holds the fourth fastest time in program history in the 400m hurdles.
- Pitt saw a program record 17 student-athletes earn a spot on an All-ACC squad, tying a program record with three First Team members and 14 Second Team honorees. The previous record for All-ACC honors was 12 set during the 2018 campaign. Three Panthers earned All-ACC honors in two events, Nate Sloan (1500m, 800m), Crockett Schooler (110m hurdles, 400m hurdles) and Townsend (400m hurdles, 4x400m).
- Sophomore Greg Lauray set the school record in the high jump (2.20m, 7’2.5”) as he earned First Team All-ACC honors with a second place finish at the ACC Championships in the event.
- Senior Nate Sloan notched First Team All-ACC honors in the 1500m run with the fourth fastest time in program history before closing out his impressive weekend with Second Team All-ACC honors in the 800m.
- Making his return to the track after a season away, sophomore Daveon Finley posted a second place finish in the 110m hurdles and notched First Team All-ACC honors for the first time in his career.
- A total of 20 Panthers qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Jacksonville, FL with Townsend being the only student-athlete to qualify in two events (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay).
- Nick Wolk sets the school record in the 5000m run at the Virginia Challenge, crossing the finish line in 14:03.28. The record-breaking performance by Wolk broke a 28-year old school record that was previously held by Keith Dowling in 1991.
- Senior distance runner Gillian Schriever became the first Panther in program history to earn NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 recognition.
- Four student-athletes earn Academic All-ACC honors, Nick Wolk, Nikki Scherer, Nina Crawford, Flora Ahiarakwe.
JUNE 20, 2019
PITT UNVEILS NEWLY DEDICATED AARON DONALD FOOTBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER
AARON DONALD FOOTBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER SNAPSHOT
The University of Pittsburgh officially unveiled the newly dedicated Aaron Donald Football Performance Center on June 20, 2019, with the two-time reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in attendance.
At 27 years of age, Donald is the youngest seven-figure donor in the history of the University of Pittsburgh. It also marks the largest donation ever by a Pitt football letterman to the program.
As a senior in 2013, Donald led the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss and added 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and a blocked extra point. At season’s end, Donald was named a unanimous first team All-American and the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award, making him one of the most decorated players in Pitt history.
Selected by the Rams in the first round (13th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, Donald has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his five professional seasons. He was honored as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018, joining Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor (1981-82) and J.J. Watt (2014-15) as the only back-to-back winners of the award.
Donald has been named first team All-Pro in four consecutive seasons (2015-18). This past year, he was a unanimous selection, receiving all 50 panelist votes at the defensive tackle position. Donald has already been selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl and is poised to earn All-Pro honors once again.
It was a dream come true to play for the University of Pittsburgh. My experience as a Panther is something that influences my life every day and I want to pay that forward. I believe in what Coach Narduzzi is building at Pitt and this was an opportunity for me to make a difference for our current and future players. Pitt will always be my school and I’m honored to be able to support the Blue and GoldAARON DONALD
JUNE 28, 2019
BOISSONNEAULT NAMED HEAD LACROSSE COACH, SIGNS FIRST CLASS
WOMEN'S LACROSSE SNAPSHOT
Director of Athletics Heather Lyke announced Nov. 1, 2018 the addition of women’s lacrosse to Pitt Athletics as a varsity sport. Fast forward to June of 2019 as she introduced the head coach of the program in Emily Boissonneault. Boissonneault comes to Pittsburgh after spending the past four seasons at James Madison and guiding the Dukes to a NCAA title in 2018. The Ontario native brings collegiate, professional and international experience to the program.
On Nov. 19, 2019, Boissonneault announced her first signing class. The student-athletes will arrive on campus for the 2020-21 academic year as the inaugural season is set for 2021-22. The signees include Emily Coughlin, Kate Elam, Madigan Lublin, Maureen McNierney and Riley Patrick.
AUGUST 30, 2019
CROSS COUNTRY HOSTS FIRST HOME MEET IN TWO DECADES
CROSS COUNTRY'S HISTORIC HOME MEET AND SEASON SNAPSHOT
It was a historic night for the Pitt cross country teams on Friday, Aug. 30 as the Panthers hosted their first home meet in over two decades. Pitt welcomed a total of five teams to the Pitt Panther Opener at one of the most unique venues in the country, the historic Carrie Blast Furnaces in Swissvale, PA.
The Panthers were impressive in their home debut as they collected team victories in both the men’s and women’s races while senior captain Nick Wolk narrowly beat out junior Zach Lefever for the individual men’s title. The Pitt men’s squad posted a team score of 16 as they had five runners finish in the top-10 while the women’s team posted a team score of 28 in the victory behind a second place finish from transfer Brenda Ayuk.
NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Highlights
- The men’s squad had an impressive showing at the regional meet in Bethlehem, PA as they posted a team score of 206, earning a seventh place finish in the field of 25 teams.
- The seventh place finish for the men marked their highest finish at the regional meet since the 2006 campaign when they posted a sixth place finish.
- The Panthers had a pair of runners on the men’s side earn All-Region honors as Nick Wolk notched a 15th place showing and Zach Lefever posted a 23rd place finish.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
PITT ATHLETICS INDUCTS SECOND HALL OF FAME CLASS
PITT ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY SNAPSHOT
The University of Pittsburgh officially inducted its second Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame class at the Petersen Events Center. The group of inductees is composed of Olympians, national champions, Super Bowl winners, school-record setters and legendary figures whose names and achievements resonate well beyond Pitt. Nearly 500 Pitt Athletics supporters attended the event featuring a VIP reception with the inductees, a three-course dinner and the induction ceremony of the 10 living honorees and four posthumous selections.
Listed in alphabetical order, these are the members of the 2019 Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame class.
- Sam Clancy (Men's Basketball)
- Jimbo Covert (Football)
- Don Hennon (Men's Basketball)
- Najuma Fletcher (Women's Track and Field)
- Sue Heon (Women's Swimming)
- Charley Hyatt (Men's Basketball)
- Lorri Johnson (Women's Basketball)
- John Majors (Coach: Football)
- Mark May (Football)
- Lee McRae (Men's Track and Field)
- Joe Schmidt (Football)
- The Peery Family (Wrestling)
SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
"PITT SPECIAL" POWER PANTHERS TO WIN OVER UCF
PITT FOOTBALL SNAPSHOT VS. UCF
Pitt pulled off one of the most memorable wins of the college football season on Sept. 21 at Heinz Field, using the “Pitt Special” trick play to defeat No. 15 UCF, 35-34. The Panthers ended the Knights’ 27-game non-bowl winning streak thanks to a 3-yard trick play touchdown pass from wide receiver Aaron Mathews to quarterback Kenny Pickett in the final minute. After being broadcast in the coveted ABC 3:30 p.m. slot, the “Pitt Special” was seen across the nation as pundits and fans praised Pitt’s moxie and execution on the fourth-down trick play.
FALL 2019
WOMEN'S SOCCER SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
WOMEN'S SOCCER SNAPSHOT OF THE 2019 SEASON
A new era was marked for women’s soccer when the team defeated Boston College 2-1 in overtime that snapped a three-year winless streak in ACC play. Juliana Vazquez headed in the game’s first goal early in the second half, and freshman phenom Amanda West headed in the goal goal in the 94th minute. The Panthers proved from that game on out, they were a tough out against ACC opponents with another win over NC State (2-1) on Oct. 19 and coming back to force overtime in two-straight road games.
West had a season like no other Panther before, becoming the first player in program history to receive All-ACC honors when she was named to the third and all-freshmen teams and also just the second to be named all-region with a Third-Team All-Atlantic Region Selection.
She broke the school's single-season points record (29) and also tied for most goals (10) and assists (nine).
She recorded the best debut in program history with a hat-trick and assist, including the game-winner in the 84th minute, as Pitt beat Loyola Marymount 5-4 on Aug. 23 for the most points in a game by a Pitt player since 2001 and most in Ambrose Urbanic Field history by a Panther.
OCTOBER 31, 2019
PITT FOOTBALL GOES VIRAL FOR HALLOWEEN
NOVEMBER 16, 2019
PANTHERS WIN ACC VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN ANOTHER HISTORIC SEASON
VOLLEYBALL SNAPSHOT OF THE 2019 SEASON
Building on its historic 2018 season, Pitt volleyball wasted no time entering the 2019 campaign. The Panthers defeated a program-best four Top 25 opponents, including two in the Top 10, en route to their highest ranking in program history at No. 2 in the nation. Pitt made a statement sweep at Penn State in September, marking the Panthers’ first win against the Nittany Lions since 1987, and followed up that performance two days later with a program-record crowd 5,195 at Petersen Events Center. The defending back-to-back ACC Champions earned their third consecutive crown in November, and put an exclamation point on its first undefeated ACC season in program history with an 18-0 record. Pitt ended the year with a 30-2 overall record, tying its best single-season winning percentage in program history (.9375).
Junior outside hitter Kayla Lund became the first Panther in program history to be named ACC Player of the Year, as well as the program’s first to be named AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year. She earned a spot on the AVCA All-America Second Team, tying the highest individual accolade ever earned by a Panther. Lund is just the second from Pitt ever to earn the honor, joining Ann Marie Lucanie (’93).
Junior right side hitter Chinaza Ndee and senior middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selections.
Five Panthers earned AVCA All-Region Honors: Lund, Ndee, Van Buskirk, Lexis Akeo and Stephanie Williams. Ndee and Williams joined Lund on the All-ACC First Team, while Akeo, Williams and redshirt senior libero Hali Hillegas were named to the All-ACC Second Team.
FALL 2019
PITT REACHES NCAA TOURNAMENT DURING MEMORABLE SEASON ON THE PITCH
MEN'S SOCCER SNAPSHOT OF THE 2019 SEASON
The Pitt men’s soccer team posted one of the best seasons in program history in 2019, breaking a 54-year NCAA Tournament drought that saw them make it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the semifinals of the ACC Tournament, earn six All-ACC selections and earned a ranking of No. 25, the first time being ranked since the 2002 season.
Junior Edward Kizza had a season to remember, earning All-South Region Second Team, All-ACC First Team, All-ACC Tournament and Scholar All-East Region Team honors. The Kampala, Uganda, native boasted a team-best 28 points off 12 goals and four assists. Kizza attempted a team-high 30 shots on goal and netted five game-winners this season. The forward also started and played in all 20 games, logging 1,627 minutes.
Joining Kizza on the All-ACC Team were freshman Veljko Petkovic and junior Sito Sena, who earned third team recognition. In addition, freshmen Valentin Noel, Arturo Ordonez and Petkovic were named to the All-Freshman team.
Highlights
- Defeated No. 22 Virginia Tech at home, 3-1, on Oct. 11 as the Panthers scored all three goals within a time frame of five minutes.
- Upset No. 1 Virginia on the road, 2-0, on Oct. 18 for the Panthers’ highest ranked victory in program history.
- Trailing 3-0 at home to the Duke Blue Devils on Oct. 25, Pitt mounted a comeback and scored four unanswered goals as junior Alexander Dexter sealed the 4-3 victory in the 86th minute, improving Pitt’s record to 8-5-2 overall and 4-2-1 in conference play.
- Defeated NC State at home in the ACC Quarterfinals on Nov. 10, 2-1 in overtime, to advance to the ACC semifinals for the first time in program history. Dexter found Kizza in the 94th minute for the game-winner.
- On Nov. 18, Pitt earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, its first tournament appearance since 1965.
- Made history on Nov. 21, earning the first NCAA Tournament victory in school history, defeating Lehigh 2-0 at home in the NCAA Tournament first round. Kizza and junior Bryce Washington each scored to advance the Panthers.
PITT SWIMMING & DIVING 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
SWIMMING & DIVING 2019 SNAPSHOT
The Panthers continued to make great progress as a team in the pool, breaking 20 school records and sending three athletes to the NCAA Championships: men’s swimmers Samy Helmbacher and Blaise Vera and women’s diver Amy Read.
Helmbacher and Vera were Pitt’s stand-out performers at the ACC Championships in Greensboro, earning the first individual ACC swimming men’s swimming medalists in program history. After repeating as a French champion at his domestic national championships, Helmbacher was joined at the World University Games in Italy over the summer by fellow Pitt swimmer Eben Vorster, who also earned a place on the South African national team at the 2019 World Championships in South Korea.
Recently, Vera continued to cement his status as a rising star in American swimming and one of the top collegiate sprinters this season by winning the Purdue Invite’s 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle sprints. A native of Clinton, Miss., Vera broke Pitt’s 50 Free record at Purdue with a thrilling, victorious final swim of 19.10 seconds, which was the fastest mark in the country at the time.
PITT FACILITY UPGRADES OF 2019
PITT FACILITIES RECEIVE UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS
Soccer programs unveil new turf, partner with AstroTurf®.
Facilities updated with new LED video display technology, partner with Daktronics of Brookings, S.D.
Petersen Events Center receives upgrades for the 2019-20 season, court flip and various venue improvements.
Gallery: Pitt Soccer AstroTurf®
Gallery: Petersen Events Center Updates
Gallery: 2019 Pitt Athletics New Video Boards
