Abbey Leonardi of Kennebunk won the New England Cross Country Championship Saturday, with three fellow Maine freshman not far behind.

Leonardi became the first girl from Maine to win the event when she crossed the line in 18 minutes, 12.7 seconds on the 5-kilometer course at Derryfield Park in Manchester, N.H.

Emily Durgin of Bonny Eagle was close behind Leonardi, finishing second in 18:15.3. Maranacook's Abby Mace was sixth and Cheverus's Fiona Hendry ninth. Waynflete senior Adele Espy was 16th.

In team competition, Cape Elizabeth finished sixth, the best-ever showing by a Maine girls team.

Brunswick junior Will Geoghegan was the top male finisher from Maine. He placed 24th, followed in quick succession by Wade Davis of Hall-Dale, James LePage of Greely, Matt Rand of Cape Elizabeth and Alex Moser of York.
Maine's top boys team was Greely, in 12th, followed by Cape Elizabeth (14th) and Scarborough (18th).