Pitt Men And Women Take Home First Place At Season Opener

Friday, September 2

Pittsburgh, PA

8:45 AM

Pitt

Panther Opener

Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics

Pitt Men And Women Take Home First Place At Season Opener

9/2/2022 12:54:00 PM | Cross Country

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PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh cross country squads opened up their 2022 campaign with a victory as the men and women took home first place at the Panther Opener at the Schenley Park course in Pittsburgh, PA Friday morning.

"It was good to start the cross country season so close to campus at Schenley Park, with fans, friends and parents lining the course the student athletes really appreciated it," said coach Brad Herbster. "I also want to thank the support staff and administration as I know coming off a late night win against WVU with the football game made it an early morning."

The Pitt men and women came out on top as they hosted Carnegie Melon and Davis Elkins College Friday morning. The Pitt men prevailed on the course today as they posted a team total of 19 while the Pitt women followed with a dominating victory of their own as they posted a team total of 15.

Jack Miller began his season strong as he collected the individual victory for Pitt with a time of 14:41.9. Quintin Gatons secured third place with a time of 14:50.6 followed by Trey Gannon who finished in fourth place with a time of 14:53.2. Finn Walsh collected the fifth place finish in 14:57.0 while Sam Otis claimed sixth place with a time of 14.58.0 and freshman Damian Frausto posted a seventh place finish.

Monmouth transfer Luke Miller had a strong showing in the season opener for the Panthers as he took home 11th place while sophomore Peyton Geehrer notched a 16th place finish.

"Jack Miller led the way for us and we were able to keep it controlled, having a group of seven guys within 20 seconds on a nice rolling course is a solid performance," stated Herbster. "Gatons, Gannon and Walsh, really put in the work over the summer and big things can happen for them this Fall. Otis did a nice job keeping the group engaged and Frausto had a nice showing as a freshman. Luke Miller, Ethan Maher and Geehrer will turn it up as the season progresses, and we add in Luke Henseler who has been looking strong in practice."

The Pitt women triumphed as they secured the top six spots. Junior Emily Brown led the squad with a victory in the 5K race with a time of 17:54.7. Caroline Rusinski took second place with a time of 17:55.8 while Sadie Carey-Tharp took third place in 18.08.2 and Winnie Incorvaia posted the fourth place finish in 18:11.7. Freshman Gianna Cagliola took home fifth place with a time of 18:28.4 followed by Mary Borkoski who finished strong in sixth place with a time of 18:51.3.

"Our women looked like a team, working together keeping the effort controlled but making sure they were working on things that will help them later in the season," stated Herbster. "Rusinski worked on getting out faster, and it paid off later in the race. Caroline led the charge in the second half and was able to build off that to a strong finish. Brown was working the middle part of the race and fought to close well and finish the race well."

The Panthers will have a week off before head to Charlottesville for the Virginia Invitational on Friday, Sept. 16.