Oct. 27, 2000

The University of Pittsburgh cross country team concluded its 2000 season at the Big East Championships, held in Franklin park, Mass., with the women placing 10th and the men finishing 11th.

The women were paced by Beth Rocks (Philadelphia, Pa./Nazareth Academy). The junior ran a season-best time of 18:21 and placed 37th. Rocks showed vast improvement from last year's championship, where she ran 21:53 and came in 81st. Junior Amanda Schmidt (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) finished the course in 18:51 (55th). Schmidt was the Panthers most consistent performer during the 2000 season, leading the team in each of its six previous meets and compiling five top 10 finishes.

As he has for the better part of the past two seasons, Mike Head (New Kensington, Pa./Valley) lead the men's contingent. Head, like Rocks, saved his best for last, turning in a season-best time of 24:59 (34th) and shaving over a minute off his time from last year's championship. Senior Justin Wiley (Bala Cynwyd, Pa./Lower Merion) also ran his best time of the season, 25:46, to finish 62nd.

2000 BIG EAST CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Oct. 27, 2000 - Franklin Park, Mass.

WOMEN'S RESULTS
10th of 14 teams with 307 points

37th    Beth Rocks       18:21
55th    Amanda Schmidt   18:51
68th    Dawn Hilgert     19:19
83rd    Sarah McMillan   19:37
96th    Dee Cole         20:04
98th    Misha Bilyeu     20:10
104th   Neema Payne      20:19

MEN'S RESULTS
11th of 14 teams with 328 points

34th    Mike Head        24:59
62nd    Justin Wiley     25:46
81st    Jesse Chalfant   26:23
89th    Dan Hull         26:43
107th   Mike Diano       27:35
111th   Clint Kotuby     27:44
115th   Lucas Dunlap     29:06