Webb, Panthers looking to stay on the right track

Since the season opened last month, the Pitt men’s and women’s track teams have competed at the… Since the season opened last month, the Pitt men’s and women’s track teams have competed at the Golden Flash Gala, the Akron Quad and the Penn State Open. And after watching his team’s recent performances, Pitt coach Alonzo Webb is happy with what he’s seen. ‘We have quite a few athletes that are outstanding,’ said Webb. ‘We should have good seasons on both sides.’ For the women, senior Janessa Murphy led the jumpers at the Penn State Open, finishing second in the long jump and eighth in the triple jump. The three-time Big East champion has several goals for her final season as a Panther, including reaching nationals in the long jump for both indoor and outdoor. ‘I’d also like to reclaim my outdoor Big East title and repeat my indoor Big East title in the long jump,’ said Murphy. Along with Murphy, team captain Mycaiah Clemons leads the Panthers. Clemons, who is sixth in the 60-meter hurdles nationally, has captured two first place finishes in the event this season. The 400-meter relay team of Katelyn Brown, Anita James, Patricia Anyanwu and Kari Hedderick finished first at the Golden Flash Gala and fourth at the Penn State Open. On the men’s side, a set of freshman twins, Jermaine and Jerome Lowery, lead the way. At the Penn State Open, Jermaine Lowery finished eighth in the 200-meter dash. Jerome Lowery was a member of the 400-meter relay team that placed fourth and also finished 11th in the 400-meter dash. ‘There is a great spirit of camaraderie with both female and male athletes,’ said Jermaine Lowery. ‘We have so much fun as a team on and off the track.’ He added that he has really enjoyed sharing his experience at Pitt with his brother, especially because he always has someone by his side and someone to cheer him on. ‘My mother and father always told us that my brother and I have a push-pull relationship,’ he said. ‘Jerome pushes me and I pull him.’ He said he hopes to place in the Big East Indoor Championships in the 400-meter dash and the 60 high hurdles and also to win a Big East Outdoor title for the 400-meter hurdles. ‘My all-time goal is to help the University of Pittsburgh men’s track and field team win many Big East championship titles while I’m here,’ he said. Junior Eric Jones, the reigning Big East champion in the triple jump, is currently third in the event. The 4×400 relay team composed of Jerome Lowery, Brione Reid-Carthan, Dontave Cowsette and Anthony Hobwana finished first at the Akron Quad and fourth at the Penn State Open. ‘The men had a little bit of a down year last year, but there is more depth on the men’s side this year,’ said Webb. The Panthers continue their season on Jan. 24 when they compete in the George Mason Patriot Games in Fairfax, Va.