Panthers gain more national recognition

The accolades keep pouring in for Claude Harriott, Rob Petitti and the rest of Pitt’s… The accolades keep pouring in for Claude Harriott, Rob Petitti and the rest of Pitt’s football team.

In this year’s college football preview, The Sporting News ranks the Panthers No. 19 in the country and names Harriott as a preseason All-American. The publication also ranks him third among defensive ends in the nation.

Also ranked among the top 10 players at their positions are wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (No. 5), fullback Lousaka Polite (No. 5), offensive tackle Petitti (No. 6), punter Andy Lee (No. 6), tight end Kris Wilson (No. 9) and strong safety Tyrone Gilliard (No. 10).

Lindy’s College Football has also recognized the Panthers, with Pitt ranked at No. 12 in its preseason poll. The magazine also named Petitti to its All-America Team and has him ranked third among the nation’s offensive tackles.

Fitzgerald (No. 5), Harriott (No. 5) and Lee (No. 6) are ranked in the top 10 at their positions by Lindy’s.

Both Harriott and Petitti have also been named to the watch lists of national awards.

Harriott is a candidate for the Lombardi Award, which is given to the nation’s best down lineman or linebacker, and the Nagurski Award, awarded to the nation’s best defensive player. Petitti was named to the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman.

Panthers earn track awards

Track head coach Alonzo Webb’s first year at Pitt became one to remember for yet another reason on Thursday, when Webb was named the Mondo Mid-Atlantic District Track Coach of the Year.

During his first year as the Panthers’ head coach, the women’s track and field team took home the Eastern College Athletic Conference Outdoor Championship and finished third in the Big East Outdoor Championships.

Four Pitt women won individual titles at the Big East Championships, the most titles for Pitt since 1998.

Also receiving recognition was junior middle distance runner Elizabeth Bayne, who was named Mondo Mid-Atlantic District Track Athlete of the Year.

Bayne won her first Big East title by winning the 400-meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 57.57 seconds. She followed that up with a first place finish at the ECAC Championships, winning the 400 hurdles with a time of 57.95. Bayne was also a member of the 4 x 400-meter relay team, which captured a first place finish as well.

Berenato adds three to staff

On Friday, women’s basketball head coach Agnus Berenato announced the addition of Marynell Meadors, Jeff Williams and Karen Copeland to her staff.

“Marynell, Jeff and Karen bring a wealth of veteran experience to our staff, both on and off the court,” Berenato said. “They will definitely help me to get the resources we need to produce a viable product on and off the court.”

Meadors, who will work with the guards and assist with recruiting, began her coaching career at Tennessee Tech and coached there for 20 seasons before moving on to Florida State, where she coached for 10 years.

“I look at this as a great opportunity to get the women’s basketball program on the right track, and I know that we are going to be able to accomplish that,” Meadors said. “I am really excited to bring Pittsburgh to the top of the Big East Conference and I know, with the great facilities and administration, we will be able to bring in the top student-athletes.”

In 1997, Meadors became the head coach and general manager of the Charlotte Sting of the Women’s National Basketball Association. After leading the Sting to the playoffs in each of her three seasons, Meadors became the director of scouting for the Miami Sol in 1999.

Williams, who will work mainly with post players, follows Berenato to Pitt after having spent the past two years as her assistant at Georgia Tech. Before that, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Justice of the National Women’s Basketball League, where he won a league championship in 2001.

“It is an honor to work for such a great institution and a great head coach,” Williams said. “I know that, with Agnus as our head coach, both the community and fans will gravitate toward our program.”

Copeland also follows Berenato to Pitt after spending the past three years with her at Georgia Tech. Copeland will fill the position of director of women’s basketball operations, handling the marketing, managing and promotions for Berenato’s basketball camps and other special events in the community.

“Pittsburgh made a great hire with coach Berenato, and I am excited for the opportunity to work with her again,” Copeland said. “This is a great situation, and I am eager for the chance to make the women’s basketball program a success.”