Jan. 28, 2002

PITTSBURGH--Pittsburgh's men's and women's track and field teams competed this past weekend at the Penn State National Open and fared well against elite competition. The Panthers joined many Eastern U.S. schools at State College for the two-day event, held Friday and Saturday at the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track on PSU's campus.

Pittsburgh earned two first-place finishes, one from each of the two squads. Garnering top honors for the men's squad was senior Patrick Harding, who placed first in the shot put with a toss of 16.48 meters, marking the fifth time this year he was the top finisher in the shot put. Jeryl Wilborn also finished in the top 3 in the 800 meters with a season-best time of 1:51.42, while the squad of Robert Edgar, Andrew Zang, Anthony Fulton and Marcus Walker crossed the finish line in 7:46.73 with a season-low time of 7:46.73 in the 4x800 meter relay.

The team of Janine Jones, Mera Belisle, Elizabeth Bayne and Lamoy Stephens paced the women's squad as they finished first in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:42.93, which provisionally qualifies for the NCAA Championships. Kim Lyles earned a third-place award in the 200 meters (24.27), while Mera Belisle placed third in the 400 meters (56.63). Elizabeth Bayne and Beth Rocks capped off the women's squad with third-place finishes in the 60-meter hurdles and 800 meters, respectively.

The Panthers are back in action next weekend as they travel to Morgantown, W. Va., to participate in the WVU Adidas Classic.