Due to strong performances at the NCAA East Regional Track and Field Championships, several Pitt… Due to strong performances at the NCAA East Regional Track and Field Championships, several Pitt athletes earned trips to the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, this weekend.

On the men’s side, freshman Joshua Thompson will compete in 110-meter hurdles event after advancing to nationals for the first time in his career, and senior Jermaine Lowery will run in the 400-meter hurdles.

Pitt head coach Alonzo Webb said he was proud of both Thompson’s and Lowery’s accomplishments.

“For [Thompson] to make it as a freshman is special because that doesn’t happen a lot,” Webb said. “And Jermaine has been here before, so he’s experienced. Hopefully he’ll compete at the level he’s capable of.”

Lowery finished 21st in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2011 NCAA Championships.

And for the women, senior Cambrya Jones led the way at regionals by qualifying for nationals in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. After breaking her own school record in the event at regionals, Jones enters nationals as the No. 3 overall seed in the 200-meter dash.

“She’s gained confidence from every meet, and confidence means a lot in track,” Webb said of Jones.

The women’s 400-meter relay team, consisting of sophomores Jordan Hoyt and Arielle Fonrose and juniors Ashley Woodford and Jonnique Lawrence, will also compete in Des Moines this weekend. It’s the third consecutive year that the Pitt’s women’s 400-meter relay team has advanced to the NCAA Championships.

With a total of seven Panthers qualifying for nationals, Webb said this has been one of his team’s most successful seasons since he took over as head coach in 2002.

“This has been one of the best years for the number of athletes making it to nationals since I’ve been here,” he said. “It comes down to having the right mix of positive attitude and work ethic, and it’s been a really special year for us.”