Oct. 14, 2006

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Pitt men's cross country team got its first look at the NCAA Championship course today as they took on several nationally-ranked teams in the Pre-National Invitational, the team's final race before postseason action. One of the most high-profile races of the season, 22 of the top 30 teams were in attendance today. With a blue race and a white race for the men, Pitt finished 28th in the white with 694 points. Iona won with 100 points.

Out of 243 runners, junior Sam Bair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area/Kent State) led the Panthers, placing 48th with a time of 24:25. The Pre-National Invitational was Bair's second race this season leading into the conference championships in two weeks.

Senior Andy Tomaswick (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands) was Pitt's second runner, finishing in 145th with a time of 25:12. Tomaswick has been a consistent runner for the Panthers this season, scoring points in every race. The third runner across the finish line for the Panthers was senior Tim Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Parry Sound/Central Connecticut State) in 148th at 25:13. Konoval has continued to race well this season, keeping in the Panthers' top three throughout.

Fourth for the Panthers was freshman Lane King (Fairview, Pa./Fairview) who placed 169th at 25:28. New to the Pitt squad, this is now the second meet in which King has been able to score points for the team. Rounding out the top five for the Panthers was senior Eric Fleming (West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) in 184th at 25:38. Fleming has finished in the top five for the Panthers in his last three competitions.

Also competing for Pitt were seniors Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) and Steve Gonzalez (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop). Long placed 200th at 25:54, and Gonzalez finished in 209th at 26:01.

The team will now turn its attention to the Big East Championships on Friday, Oct. 27. This year the race will be held at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. A flatter course, this could prove to be an advantage for several of Pitt's middle distance runners.