The Liberty Hurricanes hosted last week’s cross country meet that pitted Liberty, Freedom, and Bethlehem Catholic against East Stroudsburg South, East Stroudsburg North, and Stroudsburg on Sept. 20 at Louise Moore Park in Easton.

Liberty’s girls defeated East Stroudsburg South, 15-46, East Stroudsburg North, 15-50, and Stroudsburg, 20-35.

Freedom’s girls defeated South, 25-30, and North, 23-32, but lost to Stroudsburg, 34-25.

Becahi’s girls also defeated South, 26-29, and North, 17-38, but lost to Stroudsburg, 40-17.

Freedom junior Ava Fihlman won the girls race (19:28) setting a new personal record by :28.

“The course was pretty flat. It was really nice. (Last week) Pocono Mountain East was really, really hilly, and there was a lot more competition, so it was harder but easier to pace,” Fihlman said. “It’s going really well, my times have been great, and on a day like today, if I didn’t P.R., I think I would if we came back here, but it felt fast today.”

Liberty senior Maddie Mumma took second place (19:54).

“I think I had a good race considering the course. It’s a little bit, not boring, but it’s easy to lose track. I think I have a little bit more in me, but it’s one of the first meets of the season,” Mumma said.

Unlike the boys race, there were no packs of girls running together nor foot races to the finish line.

“In the third mile, I think I’d try to focus on my cadence (next time). You start to slow down as you run, so I would focus on keeping up the momentum on the last mile,” said Mumma. “It would be nice if there was a pack there to run with because once you lose contact, you’re kind of running on your own.”

Stroudsburg’s Catharine Brinker came in third (20:18), and Liberty took places four, five, and six with Mikailyn Matacavage (20:32), Kendall Terefinko (21:37), and Emma Haas (22:03).

Freedom senior Aubrey Yeager placed seventh (22:08), Stroudsburg’s Julia Grant was eighth (22:11), Liberty’s Emily Orrico came in ninth (22:13), Stroudsburg’s Sydney Curry placed 10th (22:31), and Becahi’s Margaret Burke was 11th (22:40).

Liberty head coach Kelly Bracetty noted the early progress of the Hurricane girls team.

“Our underclassmen group has been improving phenomenally, and I’m really excited for the pack that’s forming with all the girls when they’re out there. I think if we can keep that pack tight when conferences and districts roll around, we’ll be able to compete with some of the other teams,” Coach Bracetty said. “Maddie (Mumma) has made huge improvements beyond my expectations. With a smaller field today, it was super important for her to focus on that last mile and getting her turnover because that will pay off when districts rolls around.”