The Northwestern Lehigh cross country teams competed in last week’s Colonial League Championships, with both teams earning a top-5 finish.

Northwestern’s girls team finished fourth overall led by freshman Rosalia Nestor, who placed third in the girls race with a time of 20:07.

Nestor was recovering from a cold that kept her out of last week’s regular season finale, but has rebounded to be ready for the postseason.

“Coming into today, my goal was to break up the top two Wilson girls (Avery Errico and Juliana Bonham),” Nestor said of the pair, who were second and fourth. “My goal was just to be smart with my race, because I don’t want to get myself sick again with districts next week. I just wanted to do my best, get a decent time and shoot for third or fourth. And it happened.”

Nestor has been tremendous in her first varsity season for Northwestern, something she hopes will continue at districts, which is also at DeSales, and help her earn a trip to states.

“I know the course, I’ve been running here all summer, I’ve done two races here, so I feel pretty confident about it,” said Nestor. “This is probably one of my favorite courses, too. So I feel good about it.”

Tiger senior Sophia Cornell finished eighth at the meet, followed by seniors Megan Fornwalt (28th overall), Kellcey Pedron (33rd) and Devon Heinly (37th) to round out the top five. Junior Ava Smedstad (47th) and sophomore Amber Carl (71st) also ran in the league championship meet for Northwestern.

Notre Dame (Green Pond) won the girls team title last week with 60 points, followed by Wilson (71) and Southern Lehigh (74). Defending state champ Virginia Kraus (Saucon Valley) won the girls race in 17:55.98, over a minute head of Wilson’s Avery Errico (19:16.65).

The Tigers took fifth place in the boys league championship race, led by seniors Xander Giandomenico (8th overall) and Greyson Wellings (11th). Also scoring for the team at the league meet were sophomore Noah Griffith (21st), junior Jonathan Fornauf (31st) and senior Bryce Thrash (46th). Luke Thrash (46th) and Brady Furman (61st) also ran in the league championship race.

Palmerton’s Connor Hibell repeated as boys league champ, running a 16:43.2 to beat Bangor’s Alden Twist (17:01.34) in second place. Southern Lehigh won the team title with 56 points, followed by Notre Dame (75) and Lehighton (98).

Runners were back at DeSales this week for the District 11 Championships, which were held Wednesday. For more about that meet see next week’s Press.