Cranberry Township resident Tara Lucot holds the WPIAL team championship trophy she helped lead Vincentian Academy's girls cross country team to last fall. Lucot also starred for the track team this spring.

CRANBERRY TWP — There was no easing into varsity competition for Tara Lucot.

The Cranberry Township resident recently wrapped up her freshman year at Vincentian Academy after playing a major role on the school's cross country and track teams.

Last fall, she led the Royals to a WPIAL Class A girls cross country team title by placing fourth overall, then was ninth in the state to help Vincentian take third place.

This spring, she laid a solid foundation on the track, managing times of two minutes, 23.19 seconds in the 800-meter run and 5:21.67 in the 1,600.

She also ran the first leg of the team's 4x800 relay squad.

“We put a lot on her shoulders to lead the (cross country) team and she responded,” said Vincentian cross country and track coach Chris Rotelli. “She was phenomenal last fall and did everything asked of her.”

Aside from the physical talent Lucot possesses, Rotelli is impressed with her will to win.

Lucot admitted her cross country season was better than that on the track. She missed out on earning a medal (top eight) at the WPIAL Class AA Championships last month by placing ninth in the 1,600 and tenth in the 800.

But her talent and determination combine to give Lucot a high ceiling moving forward.

Read more about Lucot in the Eagle.