Giannotti leads Falcons

Coudersport's cross country runners are preparing for some rugged competition ahead, including the PIAA District 9 Meet.

On Tuesday, sophomore Emily Giannotti ran away with first place in the girls' division against visiting Oswayo Valley. Her time of 19:58 was more than two minutes faster than the first runner-up. Freshman Brielle Whitman placed fourth and Kristy Kamper was fifth.

In the boys' meet, Falcon Grant Gerner was fourth.

During Saturday's Bradford Invitational, Giannotti finished second among runners from eight schools with a time of 20:07. Rounding out Coudersport's top five were Whitman, Allyson Elliott, Kamper and Sarah Hutcheson.

In boys' action, Gerner was 31st. Chris Podwoski, Eric Szekely and Aaron Chisholm were in the top 50.

Junior high competition was also held. Coudersport's girls were led by Marina Snyder, who was third overall. Haley Wilson was 20th, Jennifer Kane 21st and Sabrina Newton 33rd.

For junior high boys, Coudersport's Steve Forney was 32nd and Frankie DeLung placed 61st.

Last Tuesday against visiting Port Allegany, Giannotti paced the girls with a time of 19:34. Whitman placed third, while Kamper was fourth.

Gerner ran second behind Port Allegany's Justin Lewis in the boys' competition.

DeLung placed second and Forney sixth for the Falcon junior high boys.

Snyder took first in the girls' action, with Wilson, Kane and Damaris Kenyon also in the top five.

Earlier, cross country runners from 46 schools converged on the 3.1-mile course at Franklinville, N.Y., for an invitational meet. Giannotti put on an impressive performance, crossing the finish line in 19:04, second among all runners in the Small Schools division.