Girls cross country excels at Fed meet

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Neighbors | Submitted.The Boardman girls cross country team took fourth place at the Federal League Cross Country Championships. Shown are varsity runners Daisy Corso (left) and Brandi Gatti surge up a hill at the meet on Oct. 13.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Shown is the Boardman High School girls cross country team after its fourth place run at the Federal League Championships in Perry, Ohio. All of the runners on the team completed the meet with personal best times.

The Boardman girls cross country team had its best race of the season with a fourth-place finish at the Federal League Cross Country Championships at Perry High School on Oct. 13.

The entire varsity team and many of the junior varsity runners ran personal-best times on a fast course under ideal racing conditions.

“It was a perfect day to race,” said head coach Stacey Hunter. “You don’t get days better than this.”

Leading the Lady Spartans was sophomore Jordan Grantonic, who shifted gears the last quarter mile of the 3.1-mile course to catch two runners from Lake, the second of whom she caught with a lean at the tape, to earn a third-place spot in 19:28. Not far behind was junior Emma Schwendemen in eighth place in 19:45. It was the first time either of the girls broke the 20-minute barrier.

Rounding out the scoring for the Spartans were Daisy Corso (22) 20:46, Brandi Gatti (23) 20:47, Elly Larrier (31) 21:06, Trista Cunningham (38) 21:39 and Julia Lewis (39) 21:39.

“Every one of the girls ran a personal best today. What more could you ask for?” said Hunter.

The junior varsity team was lea by Katelynn Morrell, who placed 20th overall in 22:04. Rounding out the scoring in the junior varsity race were Emily Campana (86) 25:13, Emily Young (87) 25:17, Jessica Parillo (89) 25:22, Audrey Kelleman (105) 25:58, Georgia Kasamias (111) 26:12, Anya Bolger (132) 27:51 and Olivia Shurell (147) 29:51.