Chartiers Valley runner Tarr ready for WPIALs

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 20, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Chartiers Valley's Czar Tarr has been a PIAA cross country qualifier the past two seasons. But the senior wanted to be among the WPIAL's elite and become a PIAA medalist.

So coach Lori Poe changed Tarr's workout regimen, incorporating swimming and biking with his usual distance running. He also worked with a trainer, focusing on injury prevention.

The result: a stronger, more physically fit Tarr who believes he is ready to make a splash at the WPIAL championships Oct. 26 at Cooper's Lake.

“I normally have my best race at WPIALs,” he said, “so I am expecting another good race.”

Tarr said he felt like his performance tailed off in the middle of the season but believes he is getting back to times that will make him a factor at Cooper's Lake.

On Sept. 9, he finished the Red, White and Blue Classic in 15 minutes, 33 seconds — his best mark of the season — to place third. At the Big South Championship on Oct. 10, he won with a time of 16:22, which was nearly 40 seconds faster than the next finisher, teammate Mark Golebiewski.

“My coach and I believe I could have run sub-16 (minutes) with the right amount of competition,” Tarr said. “After two miles, I was basically running by myself.”

He will get plenty of competition at Cooper's Lake. Butler's Noah Beveridge (last year's runner-up), South Fayette's Sam Snodgrass and North Allegheny's Daniel McGoey are among the top contenders in Class AAA. Snodgrass and McGoey finished ahead of Tarr at the Red, White and Blue, and Snodgrass was the only runner to beat him in section dual meets.

Poe said Tarr's biggest hurdle will be making the adjustment from chasing the lead pack to being in the lead pack.

“Physically, he's totally capable,” Poe said. “It's more like the mental aspect of it now. He's not used to being recognized as one of the top runners, and now people are going into races keying on him.

“You have to have that confidence to run in that (lead) pack and then make your move.”

Said Tarr: “The state meet is my top goal and to get a medal at states. In past years, I haven't performed as well as I would have liked, but I hope my training and everything is coming together.”

Golebiewski has overcome the death of his father in September to put together a solid season, and Poe said he has a chance to qualify for the PIAA meet as well.

On the girls side, Poe said Kiki Thornton and Elise LaQuatra are strong candidates to earn a place in the state meet. Thornton, back with the cross country team after a year playing soccer, has been the Colts' top runner with LaQuatra close behind.

Poe said she believes if Thornton and LaQuatra are running close at the WPIAL meet, both should be in the hunt for a PIAA berth.

Also:

• Carlynton struggled with numbers on the boys and girls teams this season, but coach Scott Kemmler hopes the Cougars will be represented at the PIAA meet. He said senior David Creely has the best chance among his runners.

• Bishop Canevin coach Eric Shafer hopes to get senior Donavin Meriweather through to states. Meriweather had a strong showing at the Red, White and Blue Classic, running 17:44. Among the Crusaders' girls, Shafer likes the chances of senior Maddie Walter.

Chuck Curti is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at ccurti@tribweb.com.

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Carlynton, Chartiers Valley