Although the event is called the Duquesne Duels and is held at Schenley Park, the Pitt cross… Although the event is called the Duquesne Duels and is held at Schenley Park, the Pitt cross country team has made it feel like home in recent years, and this weekend was no exception.

The women’s team placed first, and the men finished second.

“Overall we have a very good team on both sides, men and women,” Pitt assistant coach Clinton Bell said.

Last year, the women’s team finished the event in second place, while the men placed first at the Duels. In 2005, both the men and women’s teams finished in first place. In 2004, the men and women both finished second out of the seven teams competing.

“[Starting strong] is always good mentally, because it always gives the kids something to look forward to, to the next practice and the next race,” Bell said.

The women’s team started the year with an impressive showing, as six runners placed in the top 20, including three of the top four times.

“They just did an awesome job today. I couldn’t ask for anything more from what they did today,” Bell said of the women.

Junior Ali Briggs finished the race with a time of 18:32, which was the second best time of any female runner on the day.

Right behind her in third place was senior Amy Ruffolo, a transfer from Duquesne, who completed the race with a time of 18:33.

In fourth place, with a time of 18:43, was freshman Anna Yoney.

Also placing for Pitt in the top 20 was junior Monica Bhattacharjee and senior Nikki Bielick. Bhattacharjee finished with a time of 19:45 and Bielick with a time of 20:17.

Freshman June Farley ended her day with a 10th place finish with her time of 19:28.

“It was surprising, but not,” Bell said of the women’s performance as a team.

“At practice I could see that the women were developing a good core group of seniors and juniors that are leading the way, but also a very good supporting group of freshman that are coming in,” Bell said.

Duquesne sophomore Emily Beahan finished first with her time of 18:20.

The top men’s score came from Joshua Christopher, a freshman taking part in his first collegiate race. He finished fourth at 26:12. Three other Pitt runners placed in the top 15.

“The men have the same thing. A good upper class mixed in with good freshmen,” Bell said.

Sophomore Eric Burnett finished with a time of 26:41, which placed him in eighth. Freshman Jack Morrow’s time of 26:58 gave him a 13th place finish. Not far behind was senior Curtis Larimer with a time of 27:08, which put him in 14th.

The host Dukes won the men’s side with five runners placing in the top 10.

Bell was impressed not only with his upperclassmen, but with the new, young runners who performed well during the meet.

“We have a very good group of freshman coming in, with people like June Farley,” Bell said. “Ana Yoney was close to a [personal record] today. Joshua Christopher was also close to a PR today.”

The Panthers will next head to Lock Haven for the Lock Haven Invitational Saturday at 11 a.m.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to train and improve,” Bell said of his team. “All they can do is get better from here.”