Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Joe Mistretta runs against Harbor Creek during Tuesday’s meet in Russell.

RUSSELL — The cross country teams of Harbor Creek and Eisenhower ran at the Knights’ home course Tuesday and the heat was a factor, but the majority of the layout is in the woods so that may have helped some in dealing with the heat.

“I give a lot of credit to the athletes from both teams competing today,” Eisenhower head coach Darlene Beach said. “It was hot, and running in theses conditions is not easy. It takes a lot out of the runners. Our course is not known for fast times and I’m sure the heat kept the times up some.”

In the varsity girls race, Harbor Creek edged Eisenhower 27-29.

Veronica Brewer led the winners with a first-place time of 22 minutes, 5 seconds. The Knights’ Emily Grosch was second in 24:46.

In the boys race, Harbor Creek prevailed 26-29, behind the first-place finish of Micah Lander, who posted a winning time of 19:48. Joe Mistretta of Eisenhower was second in 20:59.

Varsity girls

Harbor Creek 27 Eisenhower 29

1. Veronica Brewer (HC) 22:05. 2. Emily Grosch ( E) 24:46, 3. Kierra Wismar (E) 25:09, 4. Sadie Lander (HC) 26:12, Emma Boblak (HC) 28:11, 6. Izzy Grosch ( E) 17:04, 7. Bryn Lindell (E) 25:58. 8. Naomi Ives (HC) 28:11, 9. Tessa Ward (HC) 28:22, 10. Camron Skinner (HC) 28:30, 11. Peyton Kellogg (E) 29:11, 12. Callie Delp (E ) 30:13, 13. Lillian Cathcart (E ) 31:12. 14. Cassidy Ferino (E ) 34:24

Varsity boys

Harbor Creek 26 Eisenhower 29

1. Micah Lander (HC) 19:48. 2. Joe Mistretta (E ) 20:59. 3. Nathan Smith (HC) 21:22. 4. Carson Cowser (HC) 21:32. 5. Griffin Williams (E ) 21:37. 6. Trenton Courtney (E ) 22:17. 7. Easton Fitzgerald (E ) 24:12. 8. Ben Sanfrotella (HC) 25:08. 9. TJ McAuley (E ) 26:30. 10. Bennett Sheridan (HC) 27:30. 12. JE Unida (E ) 28:15. 13. Jonathan Bogniak (E ) 29:38.

Junior high boys

Harbor Creek 15, Eisenhower 49

Eisenhower runners

7. Alex Lund 11.35; 9. Joseph Fanelli 11:42; 15. Carson Ferman 12:57; 16. Brice Ludwick 13:22; 18. Ramsey Williams 17:00.

There was not a junior high girls score as Eisenhower has no female junior high runners.