TPN Panthers of the Week: Gillian Schriever and George Aston

Gillian Schriever – Women’s Cross Country

Sophomore runner Gillian Schriever continued her dominant start to her second year at the Tommy Evans Invitational on Friday in Akron, Ohio. The women’s cross country standout led the pack and secured Pitt’s first individual win this season as well as the first individual win of her college career.

Schriever ran a 17:53.3 in the 5K — less than a second away from her personal best. She also set the track record at Silver Creek Metro Park, since it was the first race held at the track.

The Tuckerton, New Jersey, native is expected to lead the Panthers as she did during her debut season last year. Schriever was Pitt’s top finisher in the 6K at last year’s ACC Championship and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship where she posted times of 21:26.3 and 21:51.0, respectively.

Schriever and the women’s cross country team will compete next on Saturday at the St. Vincent Invitational in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, at 10:45 a.m.

George Aston – Football

Redshirt sophomore George Aston proved his abilities go beyond just blocking in Pitt’s rivalry game against Penn State last Saturday.

The fullback rushed for 14 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first half of the game on only four carries, allowing the Panthers to solidify a lead and eventually beat out the Nittany Lions, 42-39.

Initially a walk-on at Pitt before receiving a scholarship, Aston played in all 13 games last year and started four of them. He scored two touchdowns last year, both in Pitt’s 45-34 win against Louisville.

Aston’s next game with the Panthers will be against first-time opponent Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.