Quarzo wins third Everhart Invitational title
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo cruises into the final mile during Saturday’s A.J. Everhart Invitational at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Quarzo won her third title with a winning time of 19:05.7.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Brownsville’s JoJo Quarzo turns the corner as she follows the path into the second mile of the Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus course in Saturday’s A.J. Everhart Invitational. The freshman finished second with a time of 19:29.0.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Uniontown’s Hope Trimmer (center) is bracketed by Forest Hills’ Paige Greathouse (right) and Lacey Greathouse as the course turns into the final mile at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus in Saturday’s A.J. Everhart Invitational.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Forest Hill’s Danielle Dumm attempts to hold off Elizabeth Forward’s Marissa Manko as the two runners near the finish line in the A.J. Everhart Invitational Saturday morning at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Dumm held off Manko to finish in 15th place.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo (center) and Chartiers Valley’s Kate Pipilo (right) lead the way in the first half-mile with Uniontown’s Hope Trimmer (left) in pursuit during the A.J. Everhart Invitational Saturday morning at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Elizabeth Forward’s Hannah Hebda (left) and West Greene’s Katie Lampe (center) maintain the pace in the first half-mile of the course at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, in Saturday’s A.J. Everhart Invitational.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
California’s Makayla Boda closes in on the finish line during Saturday’s A.J. Everhart Invitational at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Elizabeth Forward’s Hannah Hebda sprints to the finish line to place 20th overall in Saturday’s A.J. Everhart Invitational at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Brownsville’s Ashton Reposky works her way into the second mile on the course at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus during Saturday’s A.J. Everhart Invitational.
The Quarzo sisters have finished 1-2 throughout the fall cross country season, and Saturday morning was no different with the Brownsville siblings taking the top two spots in the annual A.J. Everhart Invitational at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Gionna Quarzo, a senior, captured her third Everhart title with her winning time of 19:05.7. JoJo Quarzo, a freshman, crossed the finish line 23 seconds later.
Quarzo knew any challenge would likely come from her sister or Greensburg Central Catholic’s Corinn Brewer. Brewer finished third in 20:23.
“It was a good race,” said Quarzo, who has been battling a cold. “I knew I had Corinn and JoJo. I look in the first mile and just saw JoJo. I just sort of coasted.”
Taking home her third top trophy was Quarzo’s aim.
“That was my goal today. Especially since I had a cold this week,” said Quarzo. “It felt easy for me. I was not pushing too hard.”
The younger Quarzo had a basic approach to her first varsity Everhart Invite, saying, “I wanted to maintain touch with my sister. Once we got to the first mile, I was sort of alone.”
“Obviously, this is a tougher course. I had a good time.”
JoJo Quarzo was also aware of the county runners in the field.
“I know a good bit of the Uniontown and Laurel Highlands girls. It’s a good thing. I know how they are,” said Quarzo.
The Lady Falcons finished fourth overall and won the Class AA team title with 163 points. Forest Hills won the overall team crown with 66 points. Warren County was second with 80 and Elizabeth Forward was third with 160. Greensburg Central Catholic won the Class A title.
Baldwin’s Gina Bolla (20:43.8) and Forest Hills’ Lacey Greathouse (20:58.9) rounded out the top-5 finishes.
Uniontown’s Hope Trimmer was unable to reel in McKeesport’s Makaila Wade for sixth place. Wade crossed the finish line in 21:03.5, about three seconds ahead of Trimmer.
“It was as good as could be on this course. In my opinion, this is the most difficult course we run,” said Trimmer.
Trimmer said she got caught up in the fast-paced start.
“I went out too fast for this course. I didn’t want to get out in front. (The first turn) is such a narrow spot,” said Trimmer. “I felt pretty okay. The downhill helped with that.”
Forest Hills’ Paige Greathouse (21:11.3), Penn-Trafford’s Chloe Bonson (21:18.7), and Warren County’s Leah Webster (21:26.4) closed out the top 10.
Elizabeth Forward freshman Marissa Manko finished 16th in her first invitational with a time of 21:52.5.
“I was asking the upperclassmen (about the course) and they said it was bad,” said Manko. “I liked it.
“It was pretty different. I liked the downhill. It helped for a good finish.”
Manko was satisfied with her run.
“It wasn’t my best, but it is something I was pretty proud of because of the conditions of the course,” said Manko. “I kept looking in front of me and told myself I can get that next girl. I got her and moved up. I got them one at a time.”
California’s Makayla Boda just missed securing a top-20 medal, placing 22nd in 22:17.1. Elizabeth Forward’s Hannah Hebda was 20th in 22:080.
“I improved, so yeah, it was a good run,” said Boda as she reclined with ice packs on her ailing shins. “I hit my time from my freshman, sophomore year.”
Most of the teams have the week off before turning into county meets in the second week of October, although some smaller squads have one more section meet remaining. The annual Tri-State Coaches Invitational is on Thursday, Oct. 17, with the WPIAL Championships at California University of Pa. on Thursday, Oct. 24.