Track looks impressive at Big East Championships

The men and women of Pitt’s outdoor track and field teams made strong showings over the… The men and women of Pitt’s outdoor track and field teams made strong showings over the weekend at the Big Championships in New Brunswick, N.J.

The women’s team finished in second place thanks to solid performances by senior Trenace Elliot and junior Tamara McGill.

“They were Big East Champions in their events,” head coach Alonzo Webb said. “I don’t know that either one of them were really expected to win either.”

Elliot won the 400-meter dash with a time of 53.84. Elliot’s win was made all the more special because it came against opponents whom she had never beaten.

Webb knew that Elliot believed in herself, but was surprised that she never doubted that she would come away with a victory, despite coming up short in previous races against these same opponents.

“[Elliot] works hard,” Webb said. “She is very dedicated and also talented, but she really had to reason to think she would win.”

McGill brought home the only other first-place finish for the Panthers. She won the heptathlon for the second time in as many years by scoring an impressive 5,375 points, shattering her own Big East Championship record.

Sophomore Marissa Dudek earned a second-place finish in the pole vault with a score of 3.75 meters. And senior Elizabeth Bayne’s time of 58.25 earned her second place in the 400-meter hurdles.

Other notable performances for the women included junior Kimberly Lyles, who placed third in both the 100 meters and 200 meters. Junior Amanda Walker’s throw of 48.34 meters was good enough for third place. Walker also finished fourth in the shot put with a throw of 14.33 meters.

The men’s team did not fare as well, but still managed to score 54 points, giving the team a sixth-place finish. The goal of the men’s team was to finish in the top five, but after losing senior pole-vaulter Matt Brousse to a hamstring injury, coach Webb was pleased with the finish.

“I’m really proud of the men,” Webb said. “They were only nine points out of fifth place.”

On the men’s side, sophomore Troy Roberson was the top performer, finishing second in the 400 meters with a time of 47.37.

“[Roberson] actually had the race won,” Webb said. “He tightened up a little at the end and the guy from Villanova caught him.”

Webb was even more impressed with the way Roberson conducts himself outside of competition. Webb sees leadership potential in Roberson, and feels confident that he will continue to improve.

“He’s one of the best people you can have around,” Webb said of Roberson’s contributions to the team. “He’s dedicated, and is really becoming more and more consistent.”

Both teams will be back in action May 13-16 in New Haven, Conn. The men will be competing in the IC4A Championships and are hoping to improve on last year’s performance.

The women’s team will be competing in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships and will look to repeat last year’s championship effort. Last year marked the first time any Pitt women’s track team had won an outdoor title. And despite being in a field that includes 90 other schools, Webb is confident in his team’s chances of repeating.