Exeter High School junior Lexi Paterna won the Meet of Champions girls cross country race, and the Blue Hawks qualified for the New England race.
Exeter junior Bri Paterna placed fourth overall in 18:21.74 minutes. The team competition was won by Hanover with 40 points, while Oyster River and Exeter were second and third, respectively.
The top six teams and 25 individual runners qualified for next Saturday's New England Championship race in Thetford, Vt.
Team standings: Hanover (40), Oyster River (100), Exeter (101), Winnacunnet (323), Portsmouth Christian (405), and Newmarket (482).
Author's summary: Exeter junior Lexi Paterna wins Meet of Champions.