By Jeanne Sager
GRAHAMSVILLE — December 7, 2001 – Tri-Valley sophomore Heather Iatauro has done it again.
After running in the AAU National Cross Country Championships for the past eight years — since she was a third grader — Iatuaro has placed second in the nation in the intermediate girls 5K 5000 meters at last weekend’s meet in Orlando, Fla.
“This is Heather’s highest place ever in an AAU national meet,” said Joe Iatauro, T-V Athletic Director and Heather’s father.
For the past three years, Iatauro had placed fourth in the national race. This year, however, she improved her time to 18:40.7 to cross the finish line just behind winner Mallory Champo of Clearwater, Kan. who ran the 5K in 18:37.
For her time, Iatauro and the other top five finishers have been classified as “All American.”
Other Tri-Valley finishers included:

Midget Boys 3K 3000 Meters
• Justin Tompkins placed 139th with a time of 13:04.3.

Youth Girls 4K 4000 Meters
• Tara Taylor placed 41st with a time of 16:45.
• Melissa Fancher placed 200th with a time of 22:31.
• Caryn Dymond placed 207th with a time of 24:28.
• Tiffany Wright placed 208th with a time of 26:54.

Youth Boys 4K 4000 Meters
• Josh Mattingly placed 205th with a time of 17:32.
• Derek Smith placed 220th with a time of 17:55.
• Jon Huppke placed 232nd with a time of 18:19.
• Crawford Watson placed 233rd with a time of 18:23.