Sept. 28, 2006

PITTSBURGH - The men's and women's cross country teams are returning to Lehigh this year for the 33rd annual Brooks Paul Short Run. One of the more challenging races for the team in 2005, they return with stronger and healthier lineups. The competition is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29.

The men will run an 8K beginning at 2 p.m. This race will feature seven of last year's top-10 teams as well as seven nationally-ranked teams. Pitt will have Sam Bair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area/Kent State) in its lineup for the first time this season. Bair finished in second last year at this race with a time of 23:54.30. Tim Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Parry Sound/Central Connecticut State) and Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) have played significant roles in the last two races.

The women will have a 6K race beginning at 2:45 p.m. This race has the 2006 champions, Columbia, returning for another year in addition to eight nationally-ranked programs. Leading the women will be sophomore Monica Bhattacharjee (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield). She finished with a time of 23:09.70 last season and has been leading the Panthers after the first two races this year. Other likely contributors could be Nikki Bielick (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) and Suzy Bossart (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem).

The Paul Short Invitational marks the last race before the group moves into Pre-Nationals and their championship season.