Sept. 2, 2006

PITTSBURGH - Despite having held some of their most seasoned runners today, the Pitt cross country teams had strong showings in the Duquesne Duals. The men's team defended their title from 2005 while the women finished second overall. It was a rainy and cold morning in Schenley Park, but several runners were able to overcome the conditions and run personal-best times.

On the men's side, senior Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) led the team with a fourth-place finish and a time of 26:15.00. The Panthers went on to capture fifth through seventh as well. Junior Curtis Larimer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer) placed fifth with a time of 26:19.00. He improved by two seconds from last season's meet. Senior Tim Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Parry Sound/Central Connecticut State) took sixth at 26:20.00, and senior Andy Tomaswick (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands) finished in seventh at 26:24.00.

Other placewinners for the men's team included senior Steve Gonazalez (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) in tenth at 26:48.00. Senior Eric Fleming (West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) placed 11th at 26:49.00. Freshman Kyle Kaminski (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) ran in his first collegiate competition, placing 22nd with a time of 27:25.00. And senior Christian Schmidt (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin/Penn State-Altoona) placed 43rd with a time of 29:14.00

The women's team had an equally strong finish, considering two of their top runners did not compete. Sophomore Monica Bhattacharjee (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) led the team, placing sixth with a time of 19:13.00. She improved her time by 29 seconds. Senior Katelyn Fleishman (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) was unable to compete in the past because of injuries, but today emerged as one of the team's top runners, placing 10th at 19:40.00. Sophomore Rachel Botham (Shoreline, Wash./Shorewood) finished in 12th with a time of 19:44.00. She improved her time by 52 seconds.

Junior Nikki Bielick (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) placed 13th at 19:54.00. Senior Suzy Bossart (Greensbug, Pa./Greensburg Salem) came in 17th at 20:11.00. Sophomore Aly Brown (Hickory, Pa./Fort Cherry) placed 26th at 20:32.00, and sophomore Melissa Vignetti (Pittsburgh, Pa./McMurray) placed 34th at 21:04.00.

The Panthers had Shannon Moore (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Gulifoyle) return for her senior season. She placed 54th with a time of 23:07.00. Sophomore Megan Heenan (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale Central) ran in her first collegiate competition for a time of 23:21.00 and 56th place.

Some of Pitt's middle distance runners competed this weekend as well. Senior Krystal Epps (Butler, Pa./Butler) placed 42nd at 21:32.00, and junior Selena Sappleton (Brooklyn, N.Y../A.P. Randolph) placed 61st at 23:40.00.

The Panthers' next competition will be the Spiked Shoe Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 23. They'll travel to Penn State for that competition.