The Viking boys are the 2010 Cape Fear Valley Conference cross-country champions.

Union Pines had five runners place in the top 12 during Tuesday’s CFVC championship meet at Reservoir Park, to post a winning total of 38 to take the title.

Overhills finished second with 66 points, while Douglas Byrd placed third with a total of 77.

After the meet, Union Pines head coach Nat Carter was especially proud of the fashion in which his top five varsity runners competed.

“Those guys hung in there all year and really gave it their all,” said Carter.

Senior Vike Trevor Morris placed third with a time of 19:28.12. His twin brother, Joseph Morris, ran a 19:36.72 to finish fourth, while Storm Jessup was next for Union Pines, posting a 20:26.50 to claim the ninth spot.

Viking Tre’ Egerton took 10th place, while Ryan Hull rounded out the top five for Union Pines by finishing 12th.

All five Union Pines runners earned all-conference honors on the year by virtue of placing in the top 12 of the CFVC championship meet.

“It was really rewarding for this group of young men to all make the all-conference team,” said Carter. “Especially after having so many different setbacks take place over the course of the season — including some of our top veteran guys opting to no longer run, along with some injuries.”

The victory was the Viking boys’ third-straight conference championship, and their 10th in the last 12 years.

“These five young men persevered in spite of adversity and really made a difference with determination and dedication,” Carter said. “They also showed some of the other guys that with hard work anything is possible.”

Philip Vance, a senior from Overhills, repeated as the CFVC individual champion, winning the meet with a time of 18:04.84.

The Overhills Lady Jaguars took home first place in the girls’ competition with a winning total of 33. The Jags had four runners place in the top six in a stellar showing. Emily Vance, of Overhills, won the girls’ race with a time of 21:34.05

Western Harnett placed second with a total of 58 points, while Union Pines tallied 71 points to finish third. The Vikings were paced by Tyesha McLean’s time of 24:58:11, which earned the senior ninth place. She was joined by teammate Savannah Mangrum (11th place, 25:24.70) as the Lady Vikes’ two all-conference honorees.

Both Union Pines cross-country teams will compete at the Mid-East regional championship meet, on Saturday Oct. 30, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com.