Freedom cross country sophomore Alex Hume said it best, describing a good rivalry on the Patriots’ home course with Easton last Tuesday when Freedom’s boys edged the Red Rovers, 27-28.

“We were looking to have a good race today,” said Hume, who took first place with a time of 16:59.

“I had Easton’s number one with me for the majority of the race until the two-and-a-half mile mark, so I took a push right there and that solidified my lead in the end. We’re gonna’ have a limited season this year, so every race counts more than ever, and it just feels great to get first place and help my team out as best as I can.”

Easton’s Trey Rhinehart and Derk Hammerstone placed second and third with times of 17:27 and 17:31, respectively.

Freedom’s Eric Mann came in fourth in 17:38, followed by Easton’s Jude Liott in 17:45, Freedom’s Joe Bauer in 17:51, and Freedom’s Alex Heidemann in 17:56.

“Alex Heidemann and I, we like to take 5:20 out in the first mile, then we see where the lead opponent is and we try to stick with them or stay right behind them until we can push toward the end. That’s mainly what we were trying to do,” said Hume. We also like to push in the second mile where it’s nice and flat on the sidewalk.”

Heidemann was having stomach issues and didn’t have his best race in last Tuesday’s humidity.

“If he’s where he should be, we win by a few more points,” said Freedom coach Bob Thear. “It’s nice to beat a good team when you don’t have your best, but everybody else stepped up.”

Also in the top ten was Freedom’s Eli White, who came in ninth with a time of 18:37.

Coach Thear has seen definite progress with the Pates since the beginning of this season, which had a late start.

“I think they needed to get the flow of racing. They hadn’t raced at all. By the time we got to a dual meet the last few year’s, I always had a scrimmage, would have done an invitational, they were already two or three races in, and they had their legs under them,” he said.

Also last week, Liberty’s boys lost to Northampton, 26-29.

Liberty’s Cole Frank placed first in 16:07, followed by Northampton’s Zeke Colyer in 16:21 and Owen Nahf in 16:55. Liberty’s Emrick Leshko took fourth place in 17:43.