The Pittston Area cross country teams suffered their first defeats of the season when they ran into two other unbeaten teams in Wednesday’s seven-team Wyoming Valley Conference cluster meet hosted by Crestwood.
Bella Dessoye and Olivia Scalese finished fourth and fifth in the 45-runner girls race, but the Lady Patriots lost to unbeaten Crestwood while going 2-1 on the day to move to 8-1 for the season.
Caden Boettger was third out of 51 boys runners, but the Patriots (7-2) lost two of their three meets, falling to unbeaten Hazleton Area and host Crestwood.
The Pittston Area girls defeated Hazleton Area 23-34 and MMI Prep 21-38 while losing to Crestwood 21-40.
Katie Kozich from Crestwood was first in 19:58 and teammate Kaelyn Barker was third to also place before the first Pittston Area runner.
Hazleton Area’s Milana Daiute was second.
Crestwood had 10 of the top 17 runners, although only seven are allowed to factor into the scoring.
Pittston Area’s Elinor Schardien, Olivia Pantucci and Addison Ramirez came in 18th, 19th and 20th.
Kierstyn Orlandini was 13th to lead Wyoming Area, but the Lady Warriors dropped all three meets to fall to 5-4 on the season.
They lost to Crestwood (15-49), Hazleton Area (20-35) and MMI Prep (20-37).
Crestwood’s Mason Staude won in 16:52, 10 seconds in front of Hazleton Area’s Franklin Ritz.
Boettger was third in 17:34.
Crestwood had three of the top six finishers and Hazleton Area placed seven in the top 14.
Colby Walsh led the way for Wyoming Area, taking ninth.
Jaylen Moore was Pittston Area’s second finisher, coming in 19th.
The Patriots defeated MMI Prep (15-50), but lost to Hazleton Area (19-44) and Crestwood (19-33).
Wyoming Area defeated MMI Prep (6-15) and lost to Hazleton Area (16-47) and Crestwood (17-46).
The Warriors are 3-6.
