Emmaus cross country coach Dan Wessner knows what it takes to succeed at the PIAA Championships, having led the girls team to Class AAA titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

But Wessner also knows that sometimes it takes a little bit of good luck just to get to Hershey.

Emmaus edged Easton 93-94 for the second state-qualifying berth at the District 11 meet, the second straight year the Red Rovers were edged by a single point for the runner-up spot by the Green Hornets.

With so much emphasis put on the district meet, Wessner kept the focus and goals simple for his team at Saturday's state championship meet in Hershey.

"The last two years have been similar in so many respects," Wessner said. "We just wanted to end up better team-wise than we were last year. We were hoping to beat a handful of teams and we always have individual expectations, such as trying to beat a few more people from the district than we did in that race.

"But so much of the focus has been on districts because we knew how close it was going to be just to get here. In many ways, this is the proverbial icing on the cake."

The Green Hornets were paced by Katie Bacher, who finished 119th in 20:47.

Wessner admitted that the tough course took its toll on the sophomore, who was competing in her first state meet.

"This was a bit of an experience for her, but she handled it well," Wessner said. "She was feeling the course after two miles more so than she has in the last few meets at the end of the season. But it was a solid effort for her."

Senior Hanna Brosky wasn't far behind her teammate, finishing 122nd with a time of 20:50.

"For her last high school race, I thought she went after it and had a nice race," Wessner said.

Behind Brosky and Bacher were Jaclyn Reinbold (159th, 21:21), Katie Carney (170th, 21:38), Cassidy Leight (21:39), Kristen Bray (190th, 22:10) and Emma Wang (191st, 22:10), helping the Green Hornets to a 17th-place team finish.

While the result may not have been what he was hoping for, Wessner still takes pride in knowing how much his team improved from the beginning of the season.

"I've had a number of teams come through over the years that have been very good," he said.

"But this team may have progressed the most from start to finish this season than any other. They weren't the favorite to start the season and to be able to get here is a really big accomplishment and a credit to these girls and the work they've put in all year."