Cross Country Set to Open 2023 Season with Panther Invitational

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh men’s and women’s cross country programs will officially begin their 2023 campaigns on Friday morning at home as they host the Panther Invitational at the Schenley Park Oval.

The men will race first with the 5K race beginning at 8:45 am. The Panthers achieved their highest Mid-Atlantic Regional ranking in program history in this year’s USTFCCCA Preseason Poll, coming in fourth. The men will look to build on a successful season that culminated with Luke Henseler and Jack Miller competing in the NCAA Cross Country Championships. It was the first time in program history in which Pitt had two runners qualify for the meet. Henseler placed 195^th with a time of 30:59.20 and Miller placed 204^th with a time of 31:06.60.

The Panthers return an experienced squad loaded with nine upperclassmen. In addition to Henseler and Miller, the team will be led by fellow seniors Ethan Maher and Sam Otis and juniors Quintin Gatons, Payton Geehrer, Luke Miller, and Finn Walsh. The Panthers welcome three newcomers to the team, two freshmen, Asa Gaspar and Ethan Papa and graduate transfer, Josh Lewis.

The women’s 5K will follow the completion of the men’s race, with an official start time of 9:15 am. The Pitt women claimed the 7^th spot in this season’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Preseason Poll. Leading the way this year will be seniors Emily Brown and Sadie Carey-Tharp. At this meet last year, Brown took first place overall with a time of 17:54.80 and Carey-Tharp was close behind in third place with a mark of 18:08.30. The Panthers will also look to veterans Reagan Flannery, Sarah Hurst, Winnie Incorvaia, and Caroline Rusinski to guide the younger squad. The Panthers have eight new additions this season. Six freshmen, Olivia Bufalini, Christina Elliott, Camy Kiser, Natalie Koncoski, Ava Lane, Ava Pultorak and two transfers, Alex Fleck and Sydney Urbine.

Following the Panther Invitational, Pitt will travel to University Park, PA for the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational at Penn State University on Friday, September 8.