Munyon is money
Gateway sophomore runs to A.J. Everhart Invite championship
Piper Munyon has committed herself full time to running cross country this season, and for those who saw the Gateway sophomore compete Saturday morning in the 34th Annual A.J. Everhart Invitational, witnessed first hand that her dedication has paid off.
Munyon was in sixth place at the first mile, but turned it on the next two miles before finishing with a strong kick to win the girls varsity race in 20:26.90.
鈥淚 always feel like I have a good finish,鈥� Munyon said. 鈥淚 think as the race went on, I just got better, especially after the hills were over.
鈥淟ast year, I ran part time because I did soccer, but I decided to run cross country full time this year. I played soccer my whole life, but I know I am better at this than soccer.鈥�
Munyon was the only Lady Gator to compete, but she had her coaches and parents watch her conquer the course at Penn State Fayette.
Gateway competes in Class 3A, which usually provides greater depth, but Munyon believes she has been running times that would be enough to qualify for the state meet.
Munyon ran her personal record (PR) of 18:33.70 in the Red, White and Blue Invitational on Sept. 6 to finish seventh in the girls Class 3A division.
鈥淲e have the Bald Eagle Invitational coming up, which is at White Oak Park where they run the WPIAL championships, so I am looking forward to that meet,鈥� Munyon said. 鈥淭hey also run the Red, White and Blue Invitational at White Oak Park, and that is where I hit my PR, so I am looking forward to running that course again. This course was much more challenging.鈥�
Central Cambria had all seven of its runners in the top 25, including five in the first 13, to earn the team championship with 26 points.
Sophomore Paige Alexander was second overall (first in team scoring) with a time of 20:37.80. Teammates Alyson Sheehan (20:54.30) and Delaney Snyder (21:12.80) were fourth and fifth overall (third and fourth).
The Red Devils鈥� Alaina Long (21:24.90) was eighth (seventh) and Emma Kirsch (21:58.90) finished 13th (11th).
Laurel Highlands鈥� Isabella Baker finished third with a time of 20:48. The senior was pleased with her result. She looks forward to the county meet on Oct. 9 at Connellsville.
鈥淭he first two miles, the winner from Gateway and I were kind of battling it out, but once we hit the downhill on the last mile, she just took off,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淚 was going for top three, so I am pleased with my finish. I was about 10 seconds faster today than when I raced this course on Tuesday.鈥�
Uniontown was led by sophomore Charley Murtha, who finished sixth in 21:18.60. The Lady Red Raiders had four in the top 20 and were second in the team standings with 72 points.
The host team鈥檚 Hannah Foster (22:17.70) was 15th. Uniontown鈥檚 Arrington Scott (22:26.40) finished 17th and Paisley Murtha (22:42.60) earned a medal in 20th.
鈥淚 was trying to stay with Bella (Baker), but then they all kind of pulled ahead after the hill, so I had to turn it on,鈥� Charley Murtha said. 鈥淚 feel like it wasn鈥檛 my very best race today, but I still pushed it. I am looking forward to the county meet, tri-states and then the WPIAL championship meet. It is an exciting time right now.鈥�
Connellsville鈥檚 Abigail Zavatchan was 11th in 21:48.70 and the Fillies鈥� Taylor Schwertfeger was 16th in 22:24.60.
Canon-McMillan鈥檚 Anna Jaworski (7th/21:22.50) and Taylor DuBois (10th/21:43.20) were in the top 10.
Gretchen Gass of Warren County (Va.) was ninth in 21:28.80.
Greensburg Salem鈥檚 Lucy Giovannelli (21:57.30) and Abigail Selembo (22:07.30) were 12th and 14th overall.
Greensburg Central Catholic鈥檚 Ainsleigh Stickle was 18th in 22:30.30 and Emelee Parks of Southern Garrett (Md.) 19th in 22:33.60.
Cara Gass of Warren County (Va.) won the middle school race in 9:11.40.
Central Cambria鈥檚 Bella Templeton won the junior varsity race with a time of 23:23.
The event was timed by Gingerbread Running Company.