Panthers’ Cross Country team does not qualify for NCAA Championships

The Pitt men’s and women’s cross country teams concluded their seasons on Saturday at the… The Pitt men’s and women’s cross country teams concluded their seasons on Saturday at the NCAA Regional Championships at Lock Haven. Coach Waddie Freeman was happy with both team’s performances, and is enthusiastic about the future of the Panther cross country program.

“I am very proud of both teams,” Freeman said. “Being so young, I’d say the future for both teams looks very bright.”

Pitt Men Finish 17th of 27 Teams

Led by freshman Eric Fleming for the third time this season, Pitt finished 17th of 27 teams at the NCAA Regional Championships. Running his first collegiate 10-kilometer event, Fleming finished with a time of 32:30, good for 79th place.

“I thought that the men had a good performance,” Freeman said. “Eric Fleming did a good job in his first 10K.”

Senior Mike Diano finished five seconds behind Fleming to finish in 84th place. Also placing for the Panthers were junior Nick Westerman in 104th place, with a time of 33:18, and freshmen Steven Gonzalez and Andrew Tomaswick in 106th place, with a time of 33:29, and in 117th place, with a time of 33:41, respectively.

“The team’s performance was much better [than last year’s performance] for the men,” Freeman said. “This is definitely something to build on for the future. The future for men’s cross country at Pitt is very bright.”

Pitt Women Finish 10th of 27 Teams

Powered by junior Maureen McCandless’ 13th-place effort in the 6K, the Panthers finished 10th of 27 teams at the NCAA Regional Championships.

“Finishing in 10th place is our second-best finish ever,” Freeman said. “It’s a great accomplishment for this year’s team.”

Despite her time of 21:06, McCandless missed qualifying for her second consecutive NCAA National Championships by one place.

“With that month of being injured, she [McCandless] never got to reach her peak,” Freeman said. “Though I am happy that Maureen came back to lead the team so well.”

Junior Lauren Shaffer finished in 41st place, with a time of 21:56, while freshman Suzette Bossart finished with a time of 22:42, good for 69th place.

“[Bossart] did very well,” Freeman said. “I’m very happy with Suzy. She met our expectations and had a great year.”

Also placing for Pitt was sophomore Nicola Angstadt in 84th place, with a time of 22:57, and senior Rachel Rothe, who placed 86th, with a time of 22:58.

Freeman is excited for next year because the team loses only one senior while adding a very strong recruiting class.

“We’ll be very strong [next year],” Freeman said. “We should be one of the top 30 teams in the country.”