Cross country team heads to Northern Tier finals

Coudersport's cross country team enters the Northern Tier League championships in Smethport Tuesday, led by sophomore Emily Giannotti (shown).

"Our girls' team finished the season undefeated in dualmeet competition and Emily was also undefeated in the dual meets," said Falcon coach Carl Klingaman.

A state qualifier last season, Giannotti has been a consistent winner. She led the field on Tuesday as the Falcons swept the first five places against visiting Northern Potter. Giannotti (19:46) was followed by freshman Brielle Whitman (22:07), Allyson Elliott, Kristy Kamper and Sarah Hutcheson.

Coudersport's Grant Gerner won the boys' competition (19:37), Falcons Kyle Franklin and Eric Szekely were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Junior high competition was also held. Coudersport Marina Snyder led the girls. Frankie DeLung took third and Steve Forney was fourth in boys' action.

Last Saturday, Coudersport's runners competed against a strong field at the Southern Tier Invitational at St. Bonaventure University. Giannotti earned a medal for her third-place finish. Whitman placed 26th.

Snyder earned the first place medal among junior high girls.

Coudersport sent 17 athletes to the McQuaid Invitational in Rochester, N.Y., the previous Saturday. Giannotti placed fourth and Whitman was 30th. Snyder took fifth in the junior high division.