Sept. 1, 2006

PITTSBURGH - The 2005 cross country season proved to be one of the most successful to date as both the men's and women's teams had a number of top runners in their postseason competition. On the men's side, Sam Bair and Tim Konoval both finished in the top 35 at the regional championships, and on the women's side, Nicki Angstadt placed 34th. As they move into the 2006 season, they are looking for more success, but most importantly to remain healthy and confident.

Men's Preview
On paper, the men's cross country team appears to be one of Pitt's most talented groups in the program's history. Led by Bair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area/Kent State), now a junior, the team has depth in numbers and experience. Other top runners include seniors Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Parry Sound/Central Connecticut State) and Eric Fleming (West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan). These three competitors were all regional qualifiers in the 1,500 meters during Pitt's outdoor track and field season, and Bair went on to garner All-America honors.

Providing some depth at the four, five and six positions will be senior Steve Gonzalez (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop), Curtis Larimer (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North), Christian Schmidt (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin/Penn State-Altoona) and Andy Tomaswick (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands). Gonzalez was consistently the third or fourth runner on the Panthers' team last season, placing 57th at the Big East Championships and 75th at the regional championships. Larimer could be counted on in the fourth and fifth position last year, and Long typically was the Panther number three runner, placing 51st at regionals and 44th in the conference. Schmidt competed in the team's first two competitions - the Duquesne Duals and Iona Meet of Champions.

The team was plagued with injuries last year as both Fleming and Tomaswick had to forgo most of the season. After an even more intensive summer training program than year's past, the team is stronger, healthier and truly ready to compete.

"I think we can make history this year if the team stays healthy and remains confident, which I know they can," said Head Coach Alonzo Webb. "The guys look a lot more fit than they've ever been. The progression [for the seniors] as to how they came into the season each year has gotten better."

The key to the men's success will be the performances from their three, four and five runners. Last season, because of the injuries, many of Pitt's runners were able to gain valuable experience from having to compete in many of the season's major races.

"When they're put in a position like they were last year, when they had to step up, they gained," said Assistant Coach James Trautmann. "They gained experience, and they gained confidence. They were put in a position where they had to do it, and now they're confident that they can do it. That's a huge piece of the puzzle. That's the majority of what's going to get it done."

While the team is mostly comprised of juniors and seniors, they will have two new faces that could rally to make an impact this season. Kyle Kaminski (Belthel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) was a state qualifier in cross country and a WPIAL placewinner as a junior. Lane King (Fairview, Pa./Fairview) was a four-time state medalist and regional champion in 2005.

Women's Preview
The women's team will compete without Angstadt this year and will need a new runner to step into a leadership role. While the team has a young roster in its three, four and five positions, there are several hungry runners who have the potential to make a major impact on the team.

"The exciting thing about this season, is that so many people could step into [the leadership] role," said Webb. "It's going to be interesting to find out who that's going to be. I have a lot of confidence in the girls even though they're fairly young. There's a lot of talent there."

Junior Ali Briggs (Washington, Pa./Washington) is the team's leading runner based on last season's times. She finished in the top three for the team in most of the competitions and placed 54th at the Big East Championships. Senior Suzy Bossart (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) also has the potential to become a leading runner. She placed 70th at the regional championships in 2005 and brings the most competitive experience to the lineup.

Junior Nikki Bielick (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) was unable to compete in the championships last season because of an injury. Still, she has enough experience to move into an impact position this year. Sophomore Bailey Flask (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North) battled through an injury last season as well, but did get to compete at the Big East Championships. Senior Katelyn Fleishman (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) was unable to compete last season because of an injury, but is prepared to finish out her senior year. With all three runners healthy in 2006, they'll provide some much needed depth to the Panthers' lineup.

Pitt has four other sophomores who will be vying for that fifth spot. Monica Bhattacharjee (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) competed in some of the team's championship races last year, placing 68th in the Big East. Rachel Botham (Shoreline, Wash./Shorewood) placed seventh in the second heat at the Penn State National and also became a stronger runner during Pitt's outdoor track and field season. Aly Brown (Hickory, Pa./Fort Cherry) placed 38th in the second heat at the Penn State National and also competed at the Iona Meet of Champions and Duquesne Duals. Megan Heenan (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale Central) did not compete last year, but is ready to step into the lineup this season.

"Monica, Aly and Rachel were also somewhat thrust into our top seven last year as freshmen," said Trautmann. "They had some growth, but they're still going to need more this year. They had an opportunity to gain last year, and they did. They ran wonderful personal records compared to high school. They moved up to the 6K distance really well. It was a great year for them, and we're going to need another one this year."

The team doesn't have any newcomers this year, but former runner Shannon Moore (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Gulifoyle) will return for her senior season. Fellow senior Leah Coveleski (Union City, Pa./Seneca) are battling an injury and will not compete at the beginning of the season.

The Panthers will open their 2006 season this weekend at the Duquesne Duals. The competition begins at 9 a.m., at the Schenley Park Oval. Pitt won both the men's and women's competitions last year, but will likely sit out several key runners for this season opener.