The Emmaus boys cross country team had its highest finish in recent history on Wednesday at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Championships at the Bethlehem Municipal Golf Course as the Hornets placed fourth overall in the 16-team race.
“We did a tremendous job of staying as a pack and moving our way up during the race,” said Emmaus first year coach Kelly Bracetty. “Our top four runners were only 11 seconds apart and our top six within 26 seconds which is unheard of during a championship race.”
Sophomore Keshav Shankar was the Hornets highest placewinner finishing 15th overall in a time of 17:33, while teammates senior Jacob Brown and junior Paul Petre were not far behind, placing 17th (17:38.6) and 18th (17:38.9), respectively.
Junior Mark Magee finished 22nd overall crossing the finish line in 17:44, while fellow junior Mason Brown was 31st (17:57) and sophomore Geoff Kleinberg 32nd (17:59).
Easton senior Joseph Ozgar won the boys race in a time of 16:36, just seconds of Parkland senior Riley Williamson (16.37.2). The Trojans cruised to the team title with a score of 39, while Easton was second (66), Stroudsburg third (71).
“The good news is that eight of the top nine finishers overall in the boys race are seniors and with our solid group of underclassmen we want to fill those shoes next year,” said Bracetty. “Our boys have the potential to be district champs next year if they continue to work hard in the off-season.”
RESULTS (Team):
- Parkland 39, 2. Easton 66, 3. Stroudsburg 71, EMMAUS 103, 5. Nazareth 118, 6. Liberty 156, 7. Northampton 186, 8. Freedom 263, 9. CCHS 275, 10. PME 313, 11. PV 330, 12. Dieruff 377, 13. ESS 383, 14. Becahi 406, 15. Whitehall 427, 16. PMW 469