Quarzo wins gold in 3,200
WHITEHALL — Gionna Quarzo had already raced an eventful 2,400 meters when she toed the start line for the 3,200 meters late in the WPIAL Class AA Track & Field Championships Thursday evening.
The Brownsville sophomore gained control midway through the 8-lap race and never looked back to win the gold medal, her first in WPIAL track, in a state-qualifying time of 11:11.16.
“I led most of the time,” said Quarzo, who won silver in the 3,200 last year. “(Quaker Valley’s) Annie Wicker pulled up right beside me in the fifth lap and tried to pass me.”
Quarzo withstood the challenge and steadily pulled away from the field over the final three laps. Wicker crossed the finish line 26 seconds after Quarzo in 11:37.56 with Quaker Valley teammate Audrey Durbin third in 11:48.57.
“I wasn’t sure of my time. I was racing the girls, not the clock,” explained Quarzo.
Quarzo had already won two medals by the time she ran the 3,200. She placed sixth in the 1,600, earning a spot in the PIAA Championships on time, and anchored the 3,200 relay to a bronze medal earlier in the meet.
Quarzo dropped the 1,600, electing to run the 3,200 and 3,200 relay. The 1,600 and 3,200 relay have a preliminary round, so that would be a lot of laps over the two-day state meet at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium.
“Most of the girls are doing that. You want to focus on your best event,” said Quarzo. “Plus, I have the 3,200 relay.”
Quarzo left Baldwin Stadium with the lights gleaming in the night sky satisfied with not only her long, eventful day, but that of her teammates on the 3,200 relay.
“I accomplished what I wanted,” said Quarzo. “At states, my time is important to me. I want to get 10:40. I’m hoping to get in the top three.
“They’ve (her 3,200 relay squad) never been to states. We’re all very happy to make it. We’re the first team from Brownsville to make (states). That was our goal.”