Lehigh Valley Press-area runners did well in the recent District 11 meet.

Freedom’s Alex Heidemann had a strong track season, as he finished ninth in the 1,600 run at the PIAA state championships.

Heideman now is headed in the same direction this year.

The senior recently finished first in the PIAA District 11 cross country championships, leading his team to an overall seventh-place finish. Heidemann finished in a time of 16:28.40.

He believed he could have a good day,

“The track speed really helped me with my kicks and to finish the race strong,” he said. “I had a good track season, but it is also nice to have a good cross country season. In the final stretch I felt good, and I knew I could win the race.”

Teammate, freshman Dylan Boyle, was the other Patriot to finish in the top 20. He recorded a time of 17:51.87.

Liberty finished second overall in the 13-team, AAA field. Northampton was sixth, Freedom seventh, and Whitehall twelfth in the 13-team field.

The Hurricanes were paced by junior Ermick Leshko, who was 11th in a time of 17:30.55. He was followed by sophomore Jacob Rivera, who was 14th and logged a time of 17:36.16. Junior Owen Reilly (17:49.40) and senior Jacob Orrico (17:49.81) were 18th and 19th respectively in times.

Northampton senior Evan Dempsey was 13th overall in 13:34.57, and Whitehall junior Vinson Eggleston was 66th in 19:59.45.

Freedom sophomore Avaline Fihlman was third overall in 20:03.66 and Liberty junior Madeline Mumma was fourth in 20:13.25.

Northampton senior Brianna Tyler was their top finisher, crossing 26th in 21;45.31, and Whitehall’s Mikalya Warren ended 28th in 21:30.50.

Liberty’s girls’ team was fifth followed by Northampton (sixth), Freedom (10th) and Whitehall (11th).

In the AA race, Bethlehem Catholic senior Daniel Smith was 26th in 18:50.55, and Catasauqua senior Jaryn Hartranft was 101st in 22:19.16. Becahi was ninth as a team and Catty was last in the 17-team field.

Becahi junior Adriana Simmons was 31st in 23:05.50, and Catasauqua junior Kaylee Weidaw was 47th in 24:18.98.