Knowing that the hills at Bethlehem Municipal can make or break a cross country runner, Northampton's Hayley Jackson took control of those hills and placed sixth in 20:27 at the Lehigh Valley Conference Cross Country Championships on Tuesday.

"The big hill is everybody's strength or weakness. The hills are my strength, and I do a lot better and get a chance to pass people," Jackson said.

The girls race proved to be on the slow side by most standards, but the hills, combined with the unseasonable heat may have contributed to that.

"I think all the girls started slow, but it was a good pace. I had a really good start. I was in the top-five until after the first mile. We started to spread out before the second mile mark," said Jackson.

Jackson kept her pace with Dieruff's Willow Childs, who finished in fifth place in 20:20.

"I feel really good. I'm very happy. Maybe I'll start my kick a little earlier [at districts]," Jackson said.

Northampton teammate, Lyndsey Gallagher, placed 18th in 21:18, finishing second for the Konkrete Kids.

"I had a slow start because it was my first big race here. Hayley was ahead of me, so I just looked for her. My teammates were yelling on the side, and so was coach [Dan] Benner. I'm happy. Just at the ending, I wish I could have pushed it more," said Gallagher.

Jessica Hendricks finished in 25th place in 21:40.

As a team, the Northampton girls placed fourth with 128 points, edging out Freedom with 129 points.

Northampton's boys cross country team placed eighth with 213 points.

Chris Traugher finished 23rd in 18:05, first for the Konkrete Kids.

"I didn't feel good today, and I didn't feel like I got off to a very good start. I tried to up my pace a little bit and keep steady," Traugher said.

Northampton teammate Kendrick Schell finished 46th in 19:14.

"I had a pretty usual start, but this is a newer course to me, and it's my first year on cross country. It was a productive day, and it definitely helped for districts. I know the key points where to push. It's the hills. I'll use the skills to drive up there more and pass people on the hills," said Schell.

The District 11 Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Oct. 23, also at Bethlehem Municipal.