First Posted: 9/12/2014
Led by 2013 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state qualifier Tara Johnson, Pittston Area’s girls cross country team will look to contend in a tight divisional race throughout the season.
Through several meets so far this season, the Patriots have fared well. However, coach Joe Struckus is looking to see some improvement throughout the season.
“I see a team that is on the verge,” he said. “Being triple-A will be a little different. I saw some good things so far. There are certainly some things we’ll need to work on.”
Pittston Area finished fourth in the division a year ago and fared quite well in districts.
Johnson finished ninth in the state in AA last season. The Patriots will now be in Class AAA, vying for another solid showing at districts in 2014. Last year’s team was young, and it showed at times. This year, the Patriots will lean on that experence to help them get back to the top.
Sophomore Arianna Boccardi and two-year starter Abby Sheer will fill the No. 3 and 4 holes for the Patriots. Megan Murtha, one of four Pittston Area seniors, may be in the fifth spot.
Mia Cane, Olivia Giambra and company are all looking to step their foot into that spot and earn the Patriots some points.
Having Johnson lead the charge is something that doesn’t happen often. Stuckus knows he’ll have points no matter when she’s in the lineup.
“It sets the tone,” he said. “They feed off of her.”
Also looking to contribute this year will be Maddy Mimnaugh. Mimnaugh, also a soccer player for Pittston Area, will pull double duty. It won’t effect the cross country team much – she will only miss two meets. But she will be there for the biggest ones.
On the boys side, coach Dave Jiunta will lead Pittston Area into another season.
The Patriots will be led by senior Mike Havrilla. At the annual Cliff Robbins Invitational, Havrilla finished an impressive seventh out of 261 runners. He ran a time of 17:18, which should be in the upper finishes in District 2 throughout the season.
Also expected to contribute for Pittston Area will be Vince Shea, Eric Sklanka and Spencer Saxon.
