The Northampton cross country team competed in the EPC meet last week at DeSales.

The girls were led by Liv Jusinski. The freshman finished 32nd in 22:11.5. Olivia Horn was 57th in 23:29.8. Nicole Yellen was 70th in 24:12.3.

Other finishers for the girls were: 76. Rachel Makary 24:22.9, 79. Peighton Evangelista 24:47.2, 80. Nikita Yessen 24:54.5, 83. Abby Hacker 25:13.8, 91. Olivia Kuhns 26:18.5.

Emmaus had the top two finishers. Hailey Reinhard took first in 18:58.8. She’s a senior, while her freshman teammate Madelyn McCartney took second in 19:13.2. Parkland’s Lana Hurwitz was third in 19:47.5.

Abel Veltri led the way for the NHS boys with a 34th place finish. The sophomore had a time of 18:26.60.

Deric Fritzges took 56th in 18:59.6. Ryder Ault was 57th in 19:00.1. Braden Lower was 61st in 19:10.2. Other male finishers were: 64. Liam Galicki 19:16.7, 83. Nathan Feichtel 19:54.9, 85 Bryson Grover 20:06.0 and 94. Avery Martinez 20:24.5.

Giovanni Mastromonaco of Nazareth was the boys winner with a time of 16:37.2. He was just ahead of Parkland’s Paul Abein in 116:39.5. Liberty’s Emrick Leshko was third in 16:49.9.

“It was a beautiful fall day for racing, perfect conditions. I thought the team competed well. EPC success is never the number-one goal with districts this week being the main goal,” said head coach Dan Benner, “but it is always great to get out on the same course to start to figure things out.”

The District 11 meet takes place after Press deadlines.

Not only does the race prep the team for this week’s district meet, but considering the team is a mix of youth and veteran runners, it can provide a great experience for those who are returning next season.

“This was pretty much the whole girls team’s first time racing on this course, so that was a great learning experience for them,” Benner said. “Even though the boys team is older, it was the first time for many of them racing at EPCs as well.

“We will be much more prepared this week for the district meet at the same course at DeSales.”

Now the Kids will look to improve on their overalls finishes. The girls were 9th last week in the EPC while the boys were 11th.

“With being just outside the top half at EPCs for both the boys and girls, the goal is to be in the top half of the field this week at Districts,” Benner said.