The unyielding hills atop the mountain can wear on a cross-country runner.

It’s demanding at times, but rewarding in the end.

Both Tamaqua’s boys and girls teams finished their regular seasons Wednesday in near-perfect conditions — sunny, dry and with a cool breeze. It proved to be a great day for the girls, who had little trouble shutting out Pottsville and Nativity.

For the boys, it was a split — defeating Pottsville 24-33 before falling to always-formidable Nativity, 25-30. The Blue Raiders placed first and second against the Crimson Tide, adding finishes of fourth, eighth and ninth. Against the Green Wave, Tamaqua secured first, fourth, sixth, ninth and 10th. Nativity countered with second, third, fifth, seventh and eighth to earn the narrow win.

Aidan Elston crossed the line first for the Tamaqua boys with a time of 17:37, while freshman teammate Memphis Kline finished fourth in 18:59.

“This course is pretty hilly, but I felt pretty good,” said Elston, a sophomore. He added that his personal best (PR) has been his goal every time out. At the Bloomsburg Invitational, Elston ran a 17:50 to set his season benchmark.

As a team, Elston said the group has shown steady progress.

“We’ve been placing better, and overall I think we’ve improved all season,” he said.

Amanda Hascin took over the program this year, and her positive approach says it all.

“Our kids have been really great all season. We graduated six senior boys, so we’re really young,” said the Tamaqua mentor.

That’s evident, as Kline — a first-year runner — has been making great strides with each meet.

“I did OK,” Kline said after Wednesday’s race. His best time came at the Bloomsburg Invitational with an 18:35. “The season’s been going good, but now we want to get ready for leagues and districts, and hopefully I can qualify for states.”

With Elston and Kline finishing in the top five, teammate Luis Sanchez crossed in 19:58 for seventh place. Adding to the point totals were Kevin Lawfer (22:08), Hunter Steencken (22:29) and Billy Coombe (23:01) in 13th, 14th and 15th, respectively.

Hascin also sees plenty of promise with the girls as both squads prepare for the Schuylkill League Meet next Wednesday at White Birch Golf Course.

“Our girls were running third behind Minersville,” Hascin said. She noted that the Miners faced a tough meet against league-leading Blue Mountain, and a loss there would give Tamaqua a share of second place.

Ava Jones had her final run on her home course.

The Tamaqua senior has been a staple of the program, and she delivered another strong performance Wednesday, finishing second (24:35) behind rising freshman Shaylee Gormely (21:37).

“Our team has been pretty good overall. We’ve run in packs better,” Jones said. “The key was keeping our distances together, and we’ve been able to compete against the tougher teams.”

Jones, who set a PR at Bloomsburg with a 22:50, is excited for the postseason — and for what comes next.

“We’re hoping to do well at leagues, districts and states,” she said. “And I’m excited about going to Lebanon Valley to run in college.”

Perhaps the next standout for Tamaqua is Gormely.

“I’m hoping to break 21 minutes,” said Gormely, whose sister is a standout softball player for the Blue Raiders. The challenge doesn’t seem to faze her, though she remains humble. “Hopefully I can place at districts and go to states — and maybe bring my team!”

Hascin takes the high road, emphasizing joy and perspective over pressure.

“I want our runners to be loose, comfortable and enjoy their runs,” she said. “I want them to take it all in and enjoy the moment.”

That goal — and mindset — is within reach.