Punxsy girls cross country place runner-up at the IUP Crimson Hawk Invitational

INDIANA — The Punxsutawney girls cross country team traveled Saturday to compete in their second invitational of the 2021 season at the 12th Annual Crimson Hawk Invitational, finishing runner up out of 15 schools with a score of 58 just behind Kiski Area with 38 points.

Kiski Area’s Eliza Miller was the individual winner of the race, winning in a time of 19:32. The Punxsy girls had one individual earning a medal for placing in the top 10 individually, and the team earned a trophy for placing in the top two in the team scoring.

Punxsy’s Amy Poole crossed the finish line third overall in a time of 21:59, good enough to earn an individual award. Her time was the 11th fastest on the course (all-time) by a Punxsy runner.

“Amy had another nice race moving up about four places from the first mile,” said Punxsy Coach John Snyder. “Her consistency from race to race is impressive.”

Coming in as Punxsy’s number two runner was Jordann Hicks placing 12th overall in a time of 23:27. “Jordann finished as our number two runner for the first time this season and again, had another nice race,” said Snyder. “She looked especially strong in the last mile.”

Punxsy’s next finisher was Elizabeth Long, who took 16th overall in a time of 23:43. “Elizabeth, like Jordann, looked stronger in the later stages of her race, moving up several spots after the first mile.”

Punxsy’s fourth and fifth scoring runners placing 18th and 19th overall in 23:57 and 24:14, respectively, were Laura Rittenhouse and Libby Gianvito. “Despite some challenges from dealing with the hills of the course, Laura and Libby both pushed themselves to race close enough to our second and third finishers to help the team in scoring.”

Finishing as Punxsy’s sixth runner was Hannah Fetterman in 31st with a time of 25:19, followed shortly by Abbey Stello in 41st with a time of 26:07.

“Hannah’s effort looked great out there again, and she stepped up into the sixth spot to help the team out again in another race, and Abbey looked improved in her second race of the season.”

Punxsy next saw Taylor Bair cross the finish line in 48th with a time of 26:59, followed by teammates Madison Rudolph in 52nd with a time of 27:44 and Emily Bussard in 53rd with a time of 27:57.

“Taylor, Madison and Emily continue to impress me with their efforts in their races in their first season of cross country,” added Snyder. “Madison and Taylor both have been a part of the team’s top seven a few times this season and I feel are working hard towards challenging for a varsity spot.”

Ella Newcome was Punxsy’s next finisher coming across in a time of 29:14, good enough for 61st overall, followed by Claire Skarbek, who finished 63rd overall in a time of 29:35, while Jacinda Gigliotti was the next Punxsy finisher, placing 66th in a time of 30:34. Rounding out the

Lady Chucks runners was Penny Gambino in 78th with a time of 51:08.

“Coming into the race, I knew the course was probably going to be the most challenging one we raced on this season, but the girls knew that their goal was to bring their best efforts and not really worry about their times,” said Snyder. “I feel like, for the most part, we were able to race with pretty good efforts, especially after the strong efforts the girls have given in the past two meets against Bradford and Saint Marys.”

He added, “With cross country, you’re going to have some ups and downs as a team from race to race, but I think it was a good sign that even though we didn’t have as good of races today as we did the past two Tuesday’s, that we were still able to bring the efforts to come home a second place finish.”

The Lady Chucks travel to Kane on Tuesday to compete in a tri-meet with Brockway and Kane. ~ Article courtesy of Punxsy Athletics