CENTER VALLEY - The Pleasant Valley boys cross-country team finished 10th out of 16 schools Tuesday at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Cross Country Championships at DeSales University.

The Bears clocked a 20:01 team average time with 327 points.

“We did really, really well,” said coach Greg Duff. “I was really happy with their performance and attitudes.”

Under a clear blue sky and bright afternoon sun, the Bear runners tackled a challenging course.

“The hills make it tough,” Duff said. “A lot of our courses this year were flat. We also have a younger team, and a lot of them had not run the course.”

Raymond Lursen led the Pleasant Valley contingent, crossing the finish line in 18:12, good for 25th place overall.

“Ray did a nice job for us today,” said Duff.

Eddie Lauritsen finished next for PV with a 19:39 mark, and Andrew Ryals was third for the Bears in 19:53, good for 76th and 81 places overall, respectively. Frankie Morales was fourth on the team, clocking a 20:34 mark, while teammate Josh Gosselin finished in 21:43.

When asked what he found rewarding in his first year as leader of the Bears’ den, Duff said, “seeing the kids be successful, and being able to meet their goals.

“Setting a goal, no matter what it is for each kid specifically, whether it’s finishing in the top five in 17 minutes, or finishing in the bottom half with a 26-minute time. Seeing them work hard to meet their goals is what it’s all about.”

BOYS CHAMPS ... The Nazareth Blue Eagles claimed the team EPC boys title in 17:41, with Parkland finishing second. Freedom’s Alex Heidemann finished first individually in 16:51.

TOP GIRLS ... Emmaus edged Parkland for the girls team championship. Hailey Reinhard of Emmaus was the individual champ with a time of 19:53.3.

EPC Cross County Championships

BOYS

Team Standings

1. Nazareth 69, 2. Parkland 78, 3. Liberty 85, 4. Northampton 128, 5. Emmaus 153, 6. Stroudsburg 179, 7. Freedom 191, 8. Easton 197, 9. Central Catholic 203, 10. Pleasant Valley 327, 11. Whitehall 360, 12. East Stroudsburg North 366, 13. Bethlehem Catholic 372, 14. East Stroudsburg South 372, 15. Pocono Mountain East 379, 16. Pocono Mountain West 489.

Individuals (top five and local runners)

1. Alex Heidemann (Freedom) 16:51.0, 2. Liam Davis (ES South) 17:04.3, 3. Liam McGlaughlin (Stroudsburg) 17:04.4, 4. Adam Kollgaard (Nazareth) 17:13.9, 5. Cameron Koch (Nazareth 18:18.9, 25. Raymond Lursen (Pleasant Valley) 18:12.7, 76. Eddie Lauritsen (Pleasant Valley) 19:39.5, 81. Andrew Ryals (Pleasant Valley) 19:53.9, 98. Frankie Morales (Pleasant Valley) 20:34.0, 109. Josh Gosselin (Pleasant Valley), 21:43.5, 115. Gage Kutzler (Pleasant Valley) 22:15.5, 133. Jake Smith (Pleasant Valley) 25:24.2.

GIRLS

Team Standings

1. Emmaus 51, 2. Parkland 60, 3. Easton 85, 4. Central Catholic 142, 5. Northampton 163, 6. Liberty 168, 7. Nazareth 168, 8. Stroudsburg 205, 9. Freedom 271, 10. East Stroudsburg South 283, 11. Whitehall 285, 12. Bethlehem Catholic 310.

Individuals (top five and local runners)

1. Hailey Reinhard (Emmaus) 19:53.3, 2. Caitlin Voloshen (Nazareth) 20:13.4, 3. Madeline Mumma (Liberty) 20:21.1, 4. Addison McPeek (Easton) 20:27.9, 5. Avaline Fihlman (Freedom) 20:29.0, 87. Lily Daniels (Pleasant Valley) 26:25.8, 91. Abbie Worren (Pleasant Valley) 26:39.8.