Falcon track, field team sweeps

Senior Kirk Duffee was safe at home as Coudersport improved to 2-1 in high school baseball with a win over Otto-Eldred at CARP Field. Coach Doug McClintic's Falcons have rebounded from a season-opening loss to pitcher Calvin Grumley and the Johnsonburg Rams, but like other area teams, they've seen postponements due to wet grounds. Paul Burdick photo

Veteran scholastic track and field coach Earl Brown returns for another season at Coudersport, where his Falcons are off to their usual fast start.

Freshman Emily Giannotti and junior Kristy Kamper led the Coudersport girls' team to a sweep of Ridgway and Cowanesque Valley Wednesday in the season opener at CARP Field. The Falcons amassed 98 points, while Cowanesque Valley had 46 and the Elkers trailed with 40.

Giannotti, coming off an impressive cross-country season in the fall, ran the 3200 in 11:59.3. Kamper cleared the high jump bar at 4' 10". The pair teamed with Allison Giannotti and Cassey Stuckey to win the 3200 relay (10:56), and joined with Stuckey and Hilary Gordnier to take the 1600 relay (4:35.3). Allison Giannotti added a win in the 800 (2:50.4).

Coudersport also got wins from Sonni Gordnier (100 hurdles, 18.7), Jessica Wilson (javelin, 98' 4"), Katie Sasala (discus, 68' 3"), Nina Williams (pole vault, 7') and Maureen McCusker (1600, 6:18).

Senior Rudy Szekely helped the Falcon boys sweep the same two schools with 76 points. Cowanesque Valley placed second with 66.

Szekely took the 400 (59.4); joined Tim Thomas, Joe Bartholomew and Kyle Franklin to win the 1600 relay (4:01.6), and teamed with Bartholemew, Jeff Notaro and Grant Gerner for a win in the 3200 relay (9:13.8).

Another senior, Chris Cavallari, claimed the 100 in 12.4 and hooked up with Tim Thomas, Sam Decker and Brett Chilson for a winning time of 49.3 in the 400 relay. Thomas took the 200 (25.1). Nate Minor won the high jump at 4' 8".

Coach Brown said he expects better times and distances as the weather improves. The Falcons head to the Mansfield Invitational on Saturday.