Pittsburgh Outdoor Track and Field Opens Season at the Charlotte 49er Classic

3/21/2004

Both the men's team and women's squad had success with multiple first-place finishes.

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh outdoor track and field team opened its 2004 season this weekend at the Charlotte 49er Classic in Charlotte, N.C. The women’s team had six first-place finishes, while the men’s team added two.

            Junior Amanda Walker (Hampton, Va./Bethel High) started off the season with two first-place finishes in the hammer throw and shot put with throws of 50.50 meters and 14.37 meters, respectively. Sophomore Marissa Dudek (Pottstown, Pa./St. Pius X) captured a first-place finish in the pole vault with a jump of 3.75 meters. Placing first in the 5,000 meters was junior Lauren Shaffer (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) with a time of 17:31.14. Sophomore Nikki Angstadt (Kutztown, Pa./Fleetwood) was the top finisher in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 11:13.85. Rounding out Pittsburgh’s first-place winners was freshman Fatmata Fofanah (Bronx, NY/Bronx) who ran the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 13.83. Also having a strong performance was senior Elizabeth Bayne (Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan), who placed second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.99.

            For the men’s squad, Anthony Bonura (Plum, Pa./Canisius College) placed first in the javelin with a throw of 67.75 meters. Senior teammate Mike Kennedy (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) was not far behind with a second place finish and throw of 63.91 meters. Senior Matt Brousse (Carlisle, Pa./Lock Haven University) was the top finisher in the pole vault with a jump of 4.9 meters. Freshman Justin Clickett (Union City, Pa./Union City Area) placed second in the shot put with a throw of 16.9 meters, while freshman teammate Mike Long (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) also placed second in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:30.09.

            Pittsburgh returns to action on March 30 at the Texas Relays in Austin, Tx.