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Quarzo wins 3,200 gold in record-breaking time

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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo is all smiles as she crosses the finish line to successfully defend her gold medal in the 3,200 at the PIAA Class AA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University on Saturday morning, May 25, 2019. The junior finished in a state meet-record time of 10:25.91.

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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo cruises around the track on her way to a gold medal in a record-breaking Saturday morning, May 25, 2019 at the PIAA Class AA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University.

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Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo (78) makes the turn at the 100-meter mark of the 3,200 Saturday morning, May 25, 2019 at the PIAA Class AA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University.

SHIPPENSBURG — Gionna Quarzo cried as she crossed the finish line last year after winning the Class AA 3,200.

The Brownsville junior was all smiles Saturday morning when she crossed the finish line without anyone chasing her, successfully defending her gold medal in a PIAA record time of 10:25.91.

The time also earns her a spot on the NFHS Honor Roll.

Warrior Run’s Lauren Trapani finished second in 10:57.10.

“Last year was my first year and I was not expecting to win at all. It was a shock,” said Quarzo, still smiling after the awards ceremony. “This year, I couldn’t quit smiling.”

As she had done in every 3,200 this spring, Quarzo grabbed the lead on the first lap and the battle became one with the clock, not the field, over the final seven laps.

“I was at 5:06 at the mile. I told myself to keep up that pace. It wasn’t too hard,” said Quarzo.

The excitement for a new state record time built as Quarzo cruised around the track, lapping the state’s distance runners in the process. The previous mark of 10:31.85 was set by Central Cambria’s Carly Seymour in 2008.

“What really helped my was my family and coaches, and all the fans. That helps me more. That guy (the public address announcer) shouting my name (on every lap) really helped,” said Quarzo.

Quarzo was on pace for a special run and she realized that as she completed her sixth lap.

“The last 800 (meters) I told myself, ‘Gionna, you’re on pace,'” explained Quarzo. “I’m watching the clock (on the third and fourth turn) and I told myself ‘I’m going to get it, I think.'”

Quarzo appreciated the moment of winning a Pennsylvania state gold medal in record time.

“I was really looking forward to this and representing Pennsylvania,” said Quarzo. “It’s more for me than just the record. My coaches and family are proud of me and that’s what matters.”

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