It was a long layoff for Northampton’s cross country team, but no one was happier than the Konkrete Kids to be back in competition when the girls’ team defeated Freedom, 20-37, and the boys’ team also defeated the Patriots, 25-30, on Tuesday at Freedom.

“It’s been about eight months since we’ve raced, and it’s good to be back,” said Northampton junior Zeke Colyer, who won the boys’ race in 17:09.

Colyer is also back from a pelvic injury that had him sidelined for at least half of last year’s cross country season and a month or so afterward.

“We didn’t know what to expect because he was injured last season,” said Freedom’s Alex Heidemann, who placed second in 17:18. “We didn’t have any insight on him, but he was a strong runner.”

Colyer was with teammate Owen Nahf for most of the race, while Heidemann and teammate Alex Hume were together for the first half until Hume fell back.

“Owen and I started to gap [Heidemann], but then he caught back up to us in the last half mile or so,” said Colyer. “The grass is pretty long, so times were not super fast, but first race back, it’s kind of a warm-up for the rest of the season.”

Nahf placed third in 17:21, and Hume was fourth in 17:42.

In the girls’ race, Northampton’s Georgia Wiswesser came in second in 20:37 to Freedom’s Lauren Charboneau whose time was 20:30.

“It’s a little weird because even during the summer, there weren’t any races going on to see where I stood,” said Wiswesser. “I was pretty close to Lauren on Freedom’s team for awhile until the last mile somewhere. Personally, it wasn’t my best, but I haven’t raced in awhile so I’m hoping next time will be better.”

Northampton’s girls also scored top points for the next four places with Amber Poniktera in third with a time of 21:04, Brianna Tyler in fourth with a time of 22:18, Ren Burkit in fifth with a time of 23:03, and Reia Sanchez in sixth with a time of 23:21.

The K-Kids, coached by Dan Benner, will travel to Easton for their next meet which is scheduled for Sept. 22.