Greensburg Salem cross country has PIAA gold in their sights

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | 7:33 PM

Runners participating in the annual PIAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Hershey will face a new challenge: a revised course.

The PIAA decided to make changes to the Parkview Course near Giant Center because of abundant wet weather. Runners will encounter a flatter course along some of the old fairways of the former golf course.

Many WPIAL runners feltthe Cal (Pa.) course last week was tougher than the state course. The flat course could create faster times.

The WPIAL champion Greensburg Salem boys will chase a state title behind the senior trio of Mark Brown, Cameron Binda and Dylan Binda. Brown was the WPIAL Class AA champion and the Binda brothers, who are twins, finished second (Cameron) and sixth (Dylan), respectively.

Brown’s winning time was 16 minutes, 52 seconds, and Cameron Binda finished in 17:02. Junior Mason Jobe had another strong performance, finishing 12th for the Golden Lions, and sophomore Ethan Kelley placed 19th.

“I’ve ramped up my intensity this year,” Brown said. “Cam did it last year, and we’re peaking at the right time.”

Cameron Binda added: “The team is running well, and we have guys stepping up.”

The Greensburg Salem girls finished second at WPIALs and are looking for another strong finish.

After winning the Tri-State Track Coaches Association meet Oct. 18 at Cal, Greensburg Central Catholic freshman Corinn Brewer didn’t repeat her performance at the WPIAL meet, running a 20:31. She placed third, but her time (19:52) the previous week would have won the WPIAL Class A title.

Brewer has had a solid season, winning the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association meet and the Uniontown Invitational.

“I’m just trying to improve my times, and I’m looking forward to running in the state meet,” Brewer said.

Brownsville junior Gionna Quarzo finished second in the WPIAL Class AA race, and Belle Vernon’s Grace Henderson was third. Both are seeking PIAA medals.

Also competing for state medals are Kiski Area senior Kierra Shreffler, Norwin senior Courtney Kosanovic, Latrobe junior Rachel Harter and Norwin freshman Triniti Joy in Class AAA and Derry senior Mary Trinclisti in Class AA.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem