POULSBO — The North Kitsap cross country team may have been the host last Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean it were on overly familiar territory.

The Vikings ran well on a course that was different than last year’s configuration as the boys beat Gig Harbor 20-35.

The girls lost 41-19.

Jon Rank took first overall for the Vikings, running the course in 16:32. He was followed by three other Vikings — John Gullingsrud, Will Cameron and Wes Power — before the first Gig Harbor runner crossed the finish line.

The Tides’ top runner wasn’t competing due to injury.

The Vikings were running a single-loop course through the woods behind Poulsbo Junior High, which is different than the double loop they ran during last year’s home meets.

This year’s configuration had more trails and less pavement than last year’s.

“All the kids really liked it. Spectators liked it,” Coach Helen Smith said.

The girls’ team was led by Robyn Embrey, who finished second overall in 20:45. Greta Stickney was the next closest Vikings; she finished seventh.

Smith said the girls’ team has been slowed by injuries this year. She hopes the team will reach something close to full strength before next week’s league meet, which will be held at Fort Steilacom Golf Course Oct. 22.

“We don’t know how it’ll turn out; we hope and pray it’ll turn out by next week,” Smith said.

North’s boys team followed the race against Gig Harbor with a third-place finish at the Wolf Invitational at Cedar Heights Junior High.

They were led by Rank, who finished fifth overall.

The girls finished sixth of 11 teams.

Greta Stickney finished 15th, top among Viking runners.

North will visit Olympic today.