Emmaus cross country coach Dan Wessner told sophomore runner Katie Bacher to shoot for the top five at the Lehigh Valley Conference cross championships last week at Bethlehem Municipal. But Bacher surprised even herself when she took second place in 20:05 behind winner Mikayla Stoudt of Parkland.

"I was shocked I got second," Bacher said. "It's pretty exciting. I was trying to stick with the front and see what happens. I know [Mikayla's] really good, so I was trying to keep my eye on her and keep her in sight."

The Lady Hornets also captured second place as a team with 68 points, behind Parkland, which had 45 points. Easton placed third with 96 points.

"The team as a whole wanted to beat Easton today," said Emmaus senior Hanna Brosky. "Everyone came to race today."

Brosky placed 11th in 20:51.

"I definitely wanted to do better," she said. "But I came in with a positive attitude and passed an Easton girl and a Parkland girl at the end."

Emmaus' Jaclyn Reinbold finished in 15th place in 21:12. Kristen Bray finished 20th in 21:29 and Cassidy Leight rounded out the Lady Hornet's top five in 24th place with a time of 21:36.

Other Emmaus finishers include Emma Wang, who placed 30th in 21:55; Katie Carney, who finished 32nd in 22:03; Sophie Trowbridge, who took 37th in 22:23; Sneha Shankar, who came in 39th in 22:32; and Maria Justus, who placed 48th in 23:10.

"There's a little pressure [for districts], and for the team possibly going to states," said Brosky. "It would be awesome."

Emmaus' boys cross country team placed sixth at the conference championships with 169 points.

Kile Vierling placed 18th in 17:55, first for the Hornets.

"Everyone took off pretty quickly," Vierling said. "I tried pacing with one of the Central kids until the second mile. When I heard I was 19th, I really started pushing it, even though I wanted to stop."

The Hornets' Darren Labenberg placed 36th in 18:58.

"The hills in the back [were a challenge]," said Labenberg. "I pushed it up the hills. I kept passing people and never really stayed with anyone."

The District 11 cross country championships are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Bethlehem Municipal. See next week's Press for coverage.