Bellotti breezes to victory in Section 2-AAA quintrangular
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard Albert Gallatin’s (from left) Elizabeth Trump (fifth place), Skylar Bogus (fourth place) and Kaitlyn Smearcheck (seventh place) run during the Section 2-AAA quintrangular cross country meet Thursday at Connellsville.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Albert Gallatin’s (from left) Elizabeth Trump (fifth place), Skylar Bogus (fourth place), and Kaitlyn Smearcheck (seventh place) run during the Section 2-AAA quintrangular cross country meet Thursday at Connellsville.
Uniontown's Jade Bellotti finished with a time of 20:12 to finish in first place during the girls Section 2-AAA quintrangular cross country meet Thursday at Connellsville.
Connellsville's Ally Wilson took third during the girls Section 2-AAA quintrangular cross country meet Thursday at Connellsville.
Uniontown's Deanna Hager steps over the finish line to take second place for the Lady Raiders Thursday during girls Section 2-AAA quintrangular cross country meet Connellsville.
Albert Gallatin's Kaitlyn Smearcheck cruised into seventh place for the Lady Colonials with a time of 23:30 during girls five-way Section 2-AAA cross country meet Thursday at Connellsville.
CONNELLSVILLE — Jade Bellotti ran as though she had a purpose on a beautiful Thursday afternoon behind Connellsville Junior High School.
For the Uniontown senior, that purpose was to breeze to a first-place finish in the opening Section 2-AAA quintrangular and lead the Lady Raiders to four victories.
Uniontown swept the meet, defeating Connellsville (23-33), Albert Gallatin (24-32), West Mifflin (15-50), and McKeesport (17-46). The Lady Falcons won three, beating Albert Gallatin (27-28), West Mifflin (15-50), and McKeesport (18-38). The Lady Colonials earned a split, defeating West Mifflin (15-50) and McKeesport (15-44).
Bellotti ran by her lonesome for most of the race, cruising across the finish line in 20:12. Teammate Deanna Hager was over two minutes behind in second place.
“I worked any hills that are out there and watched the ruts and rocks. You have to be careful,” said Bellotti of the course. “It’s a different course. It’s something you have to get used to.”
As for her performance, Bellotti added, “I beat my PR for the year, so I’m happy.”
Bellotti also said of her leadership role, “I made sure they paid attention when we walked the course.”
Hager was one who must’ve paid attention, finishing second with a time of 22:21. Connellsville’s Ally Wilson charged hard into third place with a time of 22:34.
Wilson, a sophomore, had her focus on the Uniontown duo. That focus led her to lower last year’s time on her home course by over a minute.
“I figured both of them would be top two,” explained Wilson. “I gave it my all the whole time.
“I just pick out who I am going to strive to beat and keep that in my head the whole time.”
Skylar Bogus led Albert Gallatin home on the heels of Wilson with a time of 22:52.
“(Wilson) was ahead of me the whole time,” said Bogus, a freshman, as a crowd of teammates gathered around. “(Running a new course) is a good thing because I like new things.”
Bogus said she was nervous at the start of the race, but settled in as the race progressed.
“I wish I had been faster at the beginning. The second time around was a little faster,” said Bogus, adding in a purely gleeful tone of voice, “I’m really happy.”
AG’s Elizabeth Trump (5, 23:24), Connellsville’s Megan Haggerty (6, 23:30), and the Lady Colonials’ Kaitlyn Smearcheck (7, 23:59) also broke 24 minutes.
The best battle for team results was between Albert Gallatin and Connellsville. The edge went to the Lady Falcons when Autumn Ramsey slipped by AG’s Sylvia Martin for 14th place.