Panthers Post Multiple Top-10 Program Marks At Virginia Tech Invitational

Friday, January 17

Blacksburg, VA

Pitt

Virginia Tech Invitational

Photo by: Michael Shroyer/Pitt Athletics

Panthers Post Multiple Top-10 Program Marks At Virginia Tech Invitational

1/20/2020 11:08:00 AM | Track & Field

Results Photo Gallery Day One Recap Video Day Two Recap Video Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG, VA – The Pitt track & field teams closed out another strong weekend of competition as they collected a pair of victories at the Virginia Tech Invitational inside the Rector Field House on the campus of Virginia Tech. As a team, the Panthers posted eight marks that rank inside the top-10 all-time in program history.

Senior Shyheim Wright opened up the meet with a bang for the Panthers as he was able to secure a spot in the finals of the 60m hurdles with the second best preliminary round time. In the finals, Wright proved to be the best in the field as he notched the victory in the event, crossing the line in 7.84 seconds, a new personal record and tied for the fourth fastest time in Pitt program history in the event. Wright also posted a fifth place finish in the 200m dash with a personal best time of 22.49 seconds.

The other victory for Pitt came in the women's 500m dash on Friday night as junior Nikki Scherer edged out a runner from Virginia Tech to claim the win. Her time of 1:12.59 is a new personal best time in the event.

The Panthers throw squads continued to perform this weekend as they posted a total of four top-10 performances for Pitt throughout the weekend. The biggest throw of the weekend came from junior Noah Walker as he notched a heave of 65'1.25" (19.84m) to take home second place in the weight throw. The throw marked a personal best by over 5' and is the second best throw in program history in the event. Abena Atuobi had another good meet as she notched a fifth place finish in the shot put with a personal best toss of 48'8.25" (14.84m), a mark that is the third best in program history in the event. Freshman Laurel Kun also posted a personal best throw in the shot put as it traveled 44'9.5" (13.65m), the ninth best toss in program history. Fellow freshman Shannah Mallett also posted a top-10 mark in the weight throw as she notched a toss of 55'5.75" (16.91m), the seventh best throw in the event in program history.

Both of the Panthers distance medley relay squads had good performances on Saturday afternoon as the men's quartet of Drew Glick, Jack Wisner, Jack Balick and Nick Wolk posted a second place finish in 9:56.74, the eighth best time in program history in the event. The women's squad of Brenda Ayuk, Monica McNeil, Devon Hoernlein and Ally Brunton took home fifth place with a season-best time of 11:56.29.

Eddita Pessima had another strong meet for Pitt as she was able to secure a spot in the finals of the 60m hurdles on Friday by tying her personal best time of 8.44 seconds in the prelims, the fifth fastest time in program history in the event. In the finals, Pessima finished in fifth place in 8.49 seconds.

The Pitt distance runners performed at a high level all weekend as they notched six top-10 performances. Leading the way was senior Sarah Frick who notched a second place finish in the 5000m run with a personal best time of 18:38.17 while freshman Corinne Firestone finished in fourth place in the 800m run with a personal best time of 2:21.48. On the men's side, Josh Higgins posted the eighth fastest time in program history in the 3000m run as he crossed the finish line in 8:17.80 to claim third place. Senior Nick Wolk notched third place in the mile with a time of 4:07.45 while Evan Addison took home fourth place in the 5000m with a personal best time of 14:53.10 and freshman Jack Wisner claimed seventh place in the 1000m run with a personal best time of 2:27.82.

The Panthers will return to Blacksburg again next weekend as they will compete in the Hokie Invitational hosted by Virginia Tech on Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25.

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