Newburgh - It was a goal she had since the first strides she took on a cross country course three months ago. Friday, Meadow Hill Elementary School eighth grader Gianna Frontera made good on her vision to secure a spot in the New York State Cross Country Championships. With that feat, she also earned the distinction of the youngest Newburgh Free Academy female cross country runner of all time to qualify for this Saturday’s prestigious meet to be held at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Amidst blustery conditions, Frontera cruised to a sixth place overall finish in the Class AA State Qualifier. Her 18:25 split was just five seconds short of the 18:20 time (5th fastest in NFA girl’s history) she recorded at last week’s Orange County Championships on the challenging 3.1 mile Bear Mountain course. Her inaugural cross country season is filled with still further credentials. The recently turned 13 year old Frontera holds course records at: Cornwall, John S. Burke, Warwick, Pine Bush, as well as the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University.
Perhaps more remarkable than Frontera’s young success is the immediacy of it. Beginning her running career just a year ago as a seventh grader, Frontera felt an instant pull to the sport.
"Once I chose running over basketball to do as a sport, I thought it was really tough at first, but was really challenged by it," recalled Frontera, who also excels in the classroom, carrying a 90 overall grade point average. "I also thought it was a very unique sport, different from any other I had done; it wasn’t long before I got really into it."
That commitment brought quick results in her initial Spring, 2009 NFA Track and Field season. Clipping almost two minutes off of her 3000 meter personal best, Frontera further improved her 800 meter time by ten seconds. Despite gains in those two events, her favorite outdoor event remains the 1500 meters. However, lately, nothing holds a candle to the 3.1 mile jaunt she competes in during the fall season.
"I really like running in the woods; it’s like a maze, constantly changing too, from grass, to pavement, to uphill, to downhill," pointed out Frontera. "I also like the team idea of cross country; it’s comforting to know you aren’t alone."
Frontera will be going solo when she steps on to the Plattsburgh course this weekend, as she was the lone NFA girl to qualify for the race. Although she will not be aided by the comfort of her fellow NFA runners joining her on the starting line, she will have her coach, Blair Balogh, providing guidance.
"Gianna is a very coachable, thoughtful and dedicated young lady; her modest and thoughtful demeanor make her likable and respected by everyone on the team," said Balogh about the coachability of Frontera.
And what about the young star’s future?
"Gianna has a tremendous amount of potential, and it will be interesting to see how fast she will get as she becomes a more experienced and stronger runner," added Balogh. "She has currently exceeded all of the expectations I placed on her; I could not be more proud of her accomplishments."
Frontera herself appears to have many of the tools necessary for future growth already in place.
"The advice I would give to someone breaking into the sport is don’t try to do everything at once," said Frontera, who ultimately aspires to a sub 19 minute cross country split along with Olympic birth. "Ask your coach for help, work hard, and you will improve."
