Track and Field: Panthers set World Record for 2012

It might be early in their 2012 season, but the Pitt men’s track team has already pulled off… It might be early in their 2012 season, but the Pitt men’s track team has already pulled off one of the most shocking performances by any team in the country.

At the Penn State Nittany Lion Challenge indoor track meet on Jan. 14, the men’s 4×400 meter relay team — composed of seniors Jermaine Lowery and Dontave Cowsette and sophomores Micah Murray and Brycen Spratling — posted a stunning time of 3:07.43, the fastest time in the world recorded so far in 2012 for the event.

“It makes me extremely happy and humble at the same time,” Lowery said of the record in an interview posted on the Pitt website. “Our coaches have been telling us all season that you have to have Pitt pride, so it really means a lot to just go out there and represent Pitt.”

“That was only the second time I’ve run together with this group of guys,” Spratling said. “So to set the world mark was pretty crazy.”

Spratling transferred to Pitt this season from Eastern Michigan.

Head coach Alonzo Webb, who has been the Pitt men’s and women’s track and field head coach since 2002, said seeing his relay team break the world record wasn’t that much of a surprise to him.

“It’s really a testament to the young men and their work ethic and the way they believe in what they’re doing,” Webb said. “It’s an exciting time around here and everyone is really pumped up.”

The women’s track team also had its fair share of standouts at the Nittany Lion Challenge.

Freshman Taylor Ellis-Watson and senior Cambrya Jones each finished in the top three of both the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes, with Jones winningthe 200-meter dash. Ellis-Watson was also a part of the 4×400 meter relay team that finished second, along with freshman Xauddina Whittington, junior Arielle Fonrose and junior Jonnique Lawrence.

Ellis-Watson believes the success comes from the support every member of the team has for each other.

“There’s a lot of competition on the team, and we all encourage each other to be the best we can be,” she said in an interview.

Since both teams are loaded with talented freshmen and sophomores, Webb said the leadership provided by the upperclassmen has played a huge role in Pitt’s success early this season.

“On the men’s side, it’s always been the twins Jermaine and Jerome Lowery,” Webb said. “They are a really rallying force and have been leaders since they’ve been here. For the women right now, it’s Jonnique Lawrence and Cambrya Jones. They’re doing a great job of leading some of the younger girls.”

Spratling believes Webb’s discipline and intensity has led the Panthers to where they are.

“He brings everyone together and makes sure everyone is on their A-game,” Spratling said. “He’s serious about everything we do.”

With indoor season just beginning and a long outdoor season still ahead, Webb and the team have a motto that they hope will help Pitt compete not only for Big East titles, but also national recognition this season.

“Our theme for the team this year is to get a little bit better at every practice and meet,” Webb said. “They’ve taken this mantra and are really running with it.”

Both the men’s and women’s teams will be in action again this weekend at the Penn State National Open.