Sept. 29, 2006

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Pitt men's and women's cross country teams traveled to Lehigh today for the 33rd annual Brooks Paul Short Run. While this race was difficult for the teams last year, they rose to the challenge today as the men's team placed second, and the women took 27th.

In the men's race, the Panthers finished with 166 points, trailing Villanova in first with 103. Still, the Panthers out ran 40 other teams. Leading Pitt was junior Sam Bair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area/Kent State) who finished in eighth with a time of 24:32.00. This was his first race of the season. Senior Tim Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Parry Sound/Central Connecticut State) was Pitt's next runner in 11th with a time of 24:36.00. Following Konoval was senior Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) in 34th with a time of 25:08.00.

Other runners included senior Andy Tomaswick (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands) in 44th with a time of 25:13.00 and Eric Fleming (West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) in 69th at 25:28.00. Freshman Lane King (Fairview, Pa./Fairview) finished at 110th with a time of 25:52.00, and junior Curtis Larimer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer) in 169th at 26:32.00.

The women's race went to Princeton with 61 points, and the Pitt women finished in 27th with 757 points. Pitt's fastest runner was junior Nikki Bielick (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) in 107th with a time of 22:59.00. Next was sophomore Monica Bhattcharjee (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) in 122nd with a time of 23:18.00. Third for the Panthers was senior Suzy Bossart (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) in 142nd with a time of 23:29.00.

Rounding out the race for the Panthers was sophomore Aly Brown (Hickory, Pa./Fort Cherry) in 187th with a time of 24:16.00. Sophomore Rachel Botham (Shoreline, Wash./Shorewood) placed 199th at 24:36.00. Sophomore Melissa Vignetti (Pittsburgh, Pa./McMurray) finished in 200th at 24:39.00, and freshman Megan Heenan (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale Central) placed 221st with a time of 25:54.00.

With their third race completed, the Panthers will now turn their attention to the Pre-National race on October 14. In their final race before the championship season, the Panthers will face several of the nation's top teams.