Panthers qualify for tournaments

For the Pitt men’s and women’s track and field teams, it’s all about top finishes and… For the Pitt men’s and women’s track and field teams, it’s all about top finishes and championships.

With outstanding performances this past weekend, several Panthers have qualified for the Big East championships and NCAA regionals competitions.

Splitting up to attend two different events, the Panthers made statements at both the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, and the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va.

At the Texas Relays hurdlers Mike Wray and Mycaiah Clemons ran qualifying times. Wray qualified for the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.16 seconds. Clemons earned a spot in the 100-meter-hurdle championships with a time of 14.13 seconds.

At the Colonial Relays, sophomore Patricia Anyanwu placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of one minute and four seconds. Anyanwu’s performance also qualified her for the Big East championship.

Junior Monica Bhattacharjee placed third in the 10,000-meter run but failed to qualify for the Big East.

Several Panthers secured championship appearances on the field at the Colonial Relays. Junior Matt Raquet placed second in the javelin throw and qualified for the Big East, throwing for 194 feet, 7 inches. Freshman Matt Daniele placed seventh, throwing for a distance of 167 feet, 11 inches.

Garrett Larkin qualified for shot put and placed third with a distance of 52 feet, 3.25 inches. Freshman Tory Toso placed third in the women’s pole vault with a distance of 11 feet, 11.75 inches. Toso also qualified for the Big East championships. With a distance of 140 feet, 3 inches, A. J. Kielinski placed ninth in addition to surpassing qualifying marks. Both Brandon Turner and Anita James qualified for triple jump. Turner placed third, jumping for 47 feet, .25 inches. James, a freshman, placed fifth, jumping for 37 feet, 5.75 inches.

This week, the Panthers attempt to earn more qualifying marks at the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn.