Aug. 30, 2007

PITTSBURGH - The Duquesne women's cross country team will open the 2007 season Saturday morning at the Schenley Oval for the Duquesne Duals. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will include Canisius, Carnegie Mellon, Niagara, Pittsburgh, St. Bonaventure, and Wheeling Jesuit.

Last season, Samantha Howard finished first in a field of 66 runners in the 5k event. Her time of 18:01 was tied for third-best all-time at the course. In addition to Howard, eight members from the 2006 season will return in seniors Jenna Daggett and Kaitlin Yasko, juniors Emily Beahan, and Kate Szymaszek, and sophomores Carly Brickett, Sara Cimino, Kaitlynn Davis and Katie Kelly.

New to the 2007 team are Katelyn Baldys who finished 11th at the 2006 PIAA Cross Country AA Championships as a senior at South Williamsport (Pa.) High School. Joining Baldys will be Danielle Werley from Parkland High School in Orefield, Pa. who placed 28th at the 2006 PIAA Cross Country AAA Championships and Alison Myers from Springfield High School in Glenside, Pa.

Admission is free for the event. See below for directions.

From the North:
Take PA-28 S toward Pittsburgh.
Merge onto I-579 S toward Liberty Bridge.
Take I-376 E / Oakland / Monroeville exit.
Stay straight to go onto Blvd of the Allies.
At signs for Oakland/Phipps Conservatory, turn slight right onto Panther Hollow Road.
Turn right onto Greenfield Road.
Turn right onto Overlook Drive and follow it up to the Oval.

From the South:
Follow PA-837 N/Green Belt into Pittsburgh.
Turn right onto West St./Blue Belt.
Stay straight to go onto Beechwood Boulevard.
Turn right onto Greenfield Bridge.
Take a left at the end of the bridge to go onto Greenfield Road.
Turn left onto Overlook Drive.

From the East:
Follow I-376 W into Pittsburgh and take exit 5 toward
Homestead/Squirrel Hill.
Take ramp toward Greenfield.
Turn slight right onto Beechwood Boulevard.
Turn right onto Greenfield Bridge.
Take a left at the end of the bridge to go onto Greenfield Road.
Turn left onto Overlook Drive and follow it up to the Oval.

From the West:
Follow I-376 E and take exit 5 toward Greenfield.
Turn slight right onto Beechwood Boulevard.
Turn right onto Greenfield Bridge.
Take a left at the end of the bridge to go onto Greenfield Road.
Turn left onto Overlook Drive and follow it up to the Oval.