Kiski Area’s Devito soars to county win in high jump with 5-5 effort

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 9:50 PM

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Kiski Area’s Gianna Devito was happy with her performance at the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association Track and Field Championships on Thursday at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.

For the second time this week, Devito cleared 5 feet, 5 inches and won the high jump. She also competed in the triple jump and long jump but did not earn a medal.

Devito was the only Kiski Area individual to win a gold medal.

The boys 3,200-meter relay team of Marco Yanarella, Justin Tucker, Sam Plazio and Justin Gross took first.

“It means a lot to win a county title,” Devito said. “This is also the second time I cleared 5-5. Winning means a lot because I finished second last year. Now my goal is to clear 5-7 and tie the school record.”

Devito said she put her new tent to good use to stay cool and out of the 80-degree temperatures.

Other Cavalier athletes to earn medals were Lauren Ciuca, who was second in the 1,600; Ellieanna Arnold, who was third in the 100; Kelsi Lott, who was fifth in the 3200; Natavia Wilson, who was fifth in the discus; Gianna Wray, who was sixth in the 100 hurdles; Justin Gross, who was third in the 800; Nicolas Anderson, who was third in both the discus and the shot put; Braden Miller, who was fourth in the 300 hurdles; Sam Plazio, who was fifth in the 1600; Marco Yanarella, who was fifth in the 400.

Earning medals from Burrell was Lily Liotta, who placed fifth in the long jump and fifth in the triple jump.

Valley also competed in the meet, but none of its athletes finished in the top six to earn a medal.

The Norwin boys and girls won the Class 3A team title, and the Ligonier Valley boys and Greensburg Central Catholic girls were the Class 2A winners.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell, Kiski Area, Valley