Running can truly be a generational thing.
Our region
has produced many great runners, many of whom have distinguished themselves at
the scholastic, collegiate, and national levels.
In a few
rare instances, however, running success has spanned generations. The Lowthert
family of Pottsville is a classic example.
On November
22, 2016, the patriarch of another local running family which has left an
indelible impact on our sport, passed away, at the age of 71.
John
Granito, Sr., a veteran of five marathons and hundreds of road races, grew up
in Pottsville, but picked up competitive running later in life, literally
following in the footsteps of his fleet-footed sons.
During the
early 1980s, the Granito boys led the Blue Mountain cross country and track
teams to prominence.
Under the
tutelage of legendary cross country coach, Ralph Jaeger, and bolstered by the
coaching of former Millersville standout middle-distance runner, Mark Herb in
track, John, Jr., Adam, and Jason Granito, at one time, comprised 3/5 of the
scoring on a cross country team that became one of the most feared teams in the
state of Pennsylvania.
John Granito
was the leader of a Blue Mountain cross country team that place third at States
in 1984. During his four years at Blue Mountain, the cross country team finished
in the top ten every season. John began running track in fourth grade, and was
a member of the 4x800 meter relay team that made it to States in 1984. He also
placed seventh at the prestigious McQuaid Invitational, in New York, leading
Blue Mountain to the team title against teams from 13 other states and Canada.
John earned a scholarship to American University, where he became captain of
the cross country team for all four years of his career.
Adam Granito
was a 5-time District XI champion in track and cross country during his running
career at Blue Mountain. He was also a 2-time State medalist, placing 6th
in cross country and 6th in
the 3200-meter run. Adam went on to have a distinguished running career at
Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Jason
Granito competed with his brothers when he was a freshman at Blue Mountain.
That year, he placed second at the McQuaid Invitational.
John Jr.’s
son, Nico, and daughter, Mia, both ran cross country at Blue Mountain.
Nico Granito
is currently the captain of the Penn State Schuylkill cross country team. In
2015, he earned Second Team All-Conference honors in the Penn State University
Athletic Conference, and in 2016, he led the team to the United States
Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships in Virginia Beach.
Running has
united the Granito family.
At the
annual Rhoades Race 5K, held in Saint Clair, three generations, consisting of
eight members of the Granitos once ran the race. Six of them earned awards.
John
Granito, Sr. won his age division at the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K in
2015.
It was John
Granito’s character, more than his running knowledge, that guided his sons to
success.
According to
his son, John, Jr., his dad encouraged he and his brothers to, “Strive to be
your best,” and to, “Do what it takes to succeed.”
It is a
legacy that has spanned three generations of the Grantio family of runners.
Nico Granito
