Freedom’s girls cross country team sneaked by Stroudsburg, 27-30, while also defeating East Stroudsburg South, 21-35, and East Stroudsburg North, 15-48, on Sept. 22 at Freedom.

“This is a new course today,” said Patriot junior Hannah Brodhead. “This is the first time they’ve changed it in 15 years. I felt like it was a little more hilly. Nothing crazy but a little more challenging than our other one.”

The old course included a path around the Vo-Tech school, but construction forced the change.

Liberty’s Elizabeth McClarin came in first (19:02), and teammate Cali Sobrinski was second (20:15).

Brodhead placed third (20:22), and Liberty’s Katie Drabouski was fourth (20:43).

“Cali knows how to sit on you and pounce once you get tired, so coming around the finish, I was ahead of her until maybe the last quarter mile when she pulled away, so I definitely wish I could’ve pulled away from that, but I know moving forward now,” Brodhead said. “I wish I would have run faster, but I’ve been dealing with ups and downs for the last six months with injuries, so I’m just trying to go back to my roots and enjoy running. I feel like I’m still learning with it only being my second official year of competing, strictly running. I’m taking care of my body a lot better and keeping up on all the little things and hoping it will all pay off.”

Freedom’s Taylor Vidumsky came in fifth (21:27), Bethlehem Catholic’s Skylar Husser was sixth (22:29), and Liberty’s Alexandra Yerk was seventh (22:38).

“I felt like I did pretty good,” said Vidumsky. “My goal is to try and keep one of the Liberty girls in my sight. Especially in this race, I think I did a pretty good job with it. I saw Katie (Drabouski) almost the entire time.

Just trying to get better every race. I don’t like [the new course] being so repetitive, but I did enjoy it. It’s a lot better than going all the way up and around Vo-Tech. That was the worst part of the regular course for me.”

Freedom coach Bob Thear expects another season of top finishes for Vidumsky and Brodhead.

“Taylor was healthy all through track and all through the summer. Everything’s been great with her,” said Coach Thear. “Hannah and Taylor- both top 10 at districts. That’s where they were last year, and Taylor always runs well at DeSales, so she has that ace in her pocket.”

Liberty’s Remy Weagly came in eighth (22:55), Freedom’s Alexis Bucherer finished ninth (23:12), and Stroudsburg’s Anna Huntsberger placed 10th (22:13).

Liberty’s girls also added three wins to their record, defeating Stroudsburg, 15-41, East Stroudsburg South, 15-49, and East Stroudsburg North, 15-50.

Bethlehem Catholic’s girls competed as individuals only.