Panthers Open Indoor Season With Outstanding Performances

Friday, December 2

Youngstown, OH

Pitt

Youngstown State Icebreaker

Panthers Open Indoor Season With Outstanding Performances

12/3/2022 7:16:00 PM | Track & Field

Results

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The University of Pittsburgh track and field team successfully opened their indoor campaign Friday afternoon with multiple outstanding performances.

"This was one of the best opening season meets that we've had in a few years which to me indicates that our early season training has gone well, "stated head coach Alonzo Webb. "But more than that, I'm happy with the way our team competed. There was a lot of energy and competitive spirit throughout the meet from start to finish, "continued Webb.

The women had an impressive start to the season. Lydia Bottelier, Eva Baldursdottir, and Alesia Rengle had strong performances and hit ACC standard in the high jump. Bottelier jumped 5'10.4" (1.79) while Baldursdottir and Rengle jumped 5'6.9" (1.70m).

Amani Clark finished fourth, Caleia Johnson secured seventh and Sydney McCallum placed eighth in the 60m dash. Mackenzie Sullivan dominated the women's 800m run by securing first. In the 200m dash Johnson earned first place, McCallum finished sixth and 13^th place was secured by Folake Olujide-Ajibade. The women's 4x400 relay placed first place for the Panthers. Alma Evuna Eki takes home first place in the women's 60m. In the women's 60m hurdles, Olujide-Ajibade secured third place, Steigenga claimed fourth place, Jana Bruses took home fifth place, Jazmyn Potts earned sixth place, and Bottelier finished in eighth place.

Foluke Olujide-Ajibade opens the season by collecting first place (17.32m) in weight throw and Niya Crawford finished in eighth place (15.09). Crawford also finished sixth in shot put. Anais Williams took home eighth in the triple jump. Kathryn hart placed fourth (3.20m) in the pole vault event.

"One of the most impressive performances not just in the early season but for the entire year was the 6.55 meter (21'6") long jump mark of Ilse Steigenga which moves her to the number two spot on Pitt's All-Time list behind only the great Hall of Fame Olympian Trecia Kaye Smith," stated Webb. "For comparison, the winning mark at last year's indoor NCAA championship was 6.57 meters, "continued Webb.

On the men's side in the 60m dash, Stephon Brown secured first place for the Panthers, Nigel Hussey secured fifth, and Darren McQueen notched sixth. Devin Nugent took home first place and Jack Balick placed second in the 800m race. Brown took home second place in the 200m dash. The men's 4x400m placed first for the Panthers.

Otoniel Badjana notched a ninth place finish (14.81m) in the weight throw and forth (15.72) in shot put. Felix Wolter took home a 24^th finish (12.14m) in shot put and second in long jump (7.45m). In the men's triple jump Clement Campbell finished in second place (15.10m) and Uri Arnon secured third place for the Panthers (14.65).

" There were a lot of other really good performances throughout the team which was exciting to see, "stated Webb. "There's still a lot of work to be done before we can be satisfied but this was a great start to the season, "continued Webb.

NEXT UP
The Panthers will have over a month off as they will return to the track for their second meet of the indoor campaign Saturday, Jan. 14 as they compete in the Lenny Lyles Invitational hosted by the University of Louisville.

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG

Fans can follow @Pitt_TF_XC on Twitter and Instagram to receive information as results are made available.
A meet recap and results will be posted on PittsburghPanthers.com following the completion of the meet.