Greensburg Salem boys cross country wants to reclaim WPIAL title

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 15, 2018 | 7:24 PM

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Greensburg Salem cross country senior Mark Brown had a fruitful few days recently.

Brown (16 minutes, 17.56 seconds) won the Class AA boys 5,000-meter run final in the Red, White and Blue Classic meet at Schenley Park. He led the Golden Lions to first place among 11 squads.

Two days later, he gave a verbal commitment to Duquesne for the 2019 season.

With that decision behind him, Brown, a two-time PIAA medalist, said he can focus on what promises to be a productive season.

“No official visits, or anything like that,” said Brown, who chose the Dukes over American, Xavier and Charleston Southern.

The Golden Lions have lofty goals, including a top-three finish at the PIAA championship. They placed seventh last season.

“Our guys have done a really good job of closing the gap on our first three guys,” Greensburg Salem coach Nathan Snider said.

Senior Cameron Binda (16:23.31) came in a close second to Brown at the Red, White and Blue, and Binda’s twin, Dylan, (16:51.21) placed sixth.

Junior Noah Calisti (17:31.31) and sophomore Quintin Gatons (17:43.51) cracked the top 20.

“Noah Calisti and Quintin Gatons are coming off a very good track season and have really used that momentum to have a good start to the cross country season,” Snider said. “We also have a little more depth this year with (juniors) Mason Jobe and Dominic Zucco.”

Snider said it would be great to see Brown and the Binda brothers get state medals.

“Those guys can compete with anyone in the state,” Snider said. “Hopefully, they can get to that point, be healthy and ready to go.”

Cameron Binda said having so many good runners lifts everybody.

The Golden Lions are seeking their second WPIAL crown in three seasons. They placed third last season after winning in 2016.

Among girls, Greensburg Central Catholic freshman Corinn Brewer (19:50.42) finished second in her second straight meet in the Class A final at the Red, White and Blue.

Brewer improved her time, 20:55, from the Marty Uher Invitational at Cal (Pa.) a week earlier.

Greensburg Central Catholic coach Luke Snyder said Brewer went undefeated in junior high and is not afraid to mix it up with older competitors.

“For a ninth-grader, (she has) lot of experience,” he said.

Brewer said her goals are to win at the county and WPIAL championships and place in the top three at states.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Greensburg Salem