RUNNER'S WORLD: NEW LOOK NEB LOOKS TO KEEP DISTRICT TITLE STREAK GOING; PREVIEW FOR ALL FOUR CLASSES AT D4 CHAMPIONSHIPS (2025-11-22)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
NEB boys’ cross-country will going for their fourth straight District IV, Class A title Thursday, but if they get the 4-peat it will be a very different group than the squad that took the first three.

The Creed Dewing class was the backbone for 3-peat from 2022-2024, but this year the boys have just two non-freshmen in brothers Jackson Martin (sophomore) and Russell Martin (senior).

Still, after a slow start that saw them fall to Sullivan County in the first week of the NTL dual meet season, the Panther newcomers have started to take to the longer distance.

“The NTL (Invitational) showed that we were able to beat Sullivan, at least for invitational scoring,” Jackson Martin said. “I think we have a good chance at possibly winning districts for the fourth year in a row, and we’ve all just have to work hard.”

The top five at NTLs featured Martin and four freshmen - Levi Dewing, Xavier Lockwood, Keagan Netherton, and Josiah Russell.

“With new faces you’ve got to keep working hard,” said Martin. “It’s not going to be easy, it’s never easy - we’ve got to want it.”

Jackson has been trying to set the example this season as it was just last year that he was a freshman trying to get used the jump to the 3.1 miles.

“They’ve definitely improved, I like seeing that,” he remarked. “I can tell that they want it, I like seeing them dig deep and persevere.”

It’ll be a tough one, though, between them, Sullivan County, and Canton, while Wyalusing is also lurking out there.

Only the top team and top five individuals move on, but if they don’t win the team title Martin is in good position to make it as an individual.

“I’m hoping top five in case we don’t get first and got to states as a team,” Martin said. 

It’ll be a tough race with Northwest’s Michael Fritz and Canton’s Lawrence Halbfoerster in the mix, two runners looking for hardware at Hershey.

“I don’t think I’m going to be quite up there,” Martin said. “They’re awesome athletes, it’s just fun competing with them.”

DISTRICT IV PREVIEW
CLASS A GIRLS, 9:30 a.m.
State qualifying spots - one team, five individuals
It’ll be a tight one for the team title as the Sullivan County girls look to make history by winning their program’s first ever district title.

Zoey Reese had a monster race at the NTL Invitational, while Addisyn Templin broke 21 minutes on the Bloomsburg course back at the NEPA Invitational.

They’ll be going up against defending district champions Warrior Run, led by the favorite to take gold in the race Claire Dufrene. She recently ran 18:04 to win the PHAC Invitational.

Also for Warrior Run Keiara Shaffer will be in the mix up top.

Other individuals to watch are NEB’s Sophie Bennett, who just missed a state berth by one spot last season, along with teammate Ruth Laudermilch.

South Williamsport’s Kendall Smith will also be looking to break into that top five.

Wyalusing’s Megan King is a veteran runner whose been to states a few times, while her teammate Camryn Gesford is another to watch.

Others that could get those five individual spots are Warrior Run’s Brenna Pick, Sullivan County’s Paige Jordan, and Northwest’s Savannah Cronauer.

CLASS AA GIRLS, 10:15 a.m.
State qualifying spots - two teams, 10 individuals
Get the popcorn out for for this one as it features a very deep and talented class of runners.

State title contender Baylee Espinosa of Lewisburg looks to be the favorite to take gold again, though Wellsboro’s Lauren Kosek gave her a run last year. Both medaled at states in 2024.

Team wise it looks like Lewisburg has the edge with Espinosa, Theo Wilkinson, Annika Shields, and Maya Sak.

Odin Ryer leads Danville, who is in a strong position to take silver as a team, but don’t count out Towanda. They were only 12 points behind the Ironman at the NEPA Invitational, so they have a puncher’s chance for the upset.

The Knights are led by freshman Maris Cobb and junior Izzy Larson, with Larson being a 2-time state qualifier.

Other standout Danville runners are Janie Cotner and Kylie Michaels, with Selinsgrove’s Lake Dent and Ashtyn Lukens also in the mix.

Hughesville has two in Emelia Wolfe and Grace Fortin, while Athens’ Alissa Vough has put together a solid season and is in position to punch her ticket to states.

Other NTL runners to watch are NPM’s Jaci Fairchild and Leila Garverick, along with CV’s Lainey Hackett.

CLASS A BOYS, 11 A.M.
State qualifying spots - 1 team, 5 individuals
The NEB boys have the inside track to winning a fourth straight title, though Sullivan County and Canton both have reasons to believe they could unseat them if they have a good day.

Northwest’s Michael Fritz is the favorite to bring home gold with Canton’s Lawrence Halbfoerster the favorite for silver.

After that look for NEB’s Jackson Martin, Wyalusing’s Aidan Neiley, and CV’s Hunter Simonds to be in the mix.

From Sullivan County Carter Blasi, Calen Sweigart, and Chase Preston will all be up there, while Canton’s Manuel Halbfoerster and Landon Lake both had strong races at the NEPA Invitational. 

The Panther freshman of Levi Dewing, Xavier Lockwood, Josiah Russell, and Keagan Netherton will also be in the mix.

CLASS AA BOYS, 11:45 A.M.
State qualifying spots - 2 teams, 5 individuals
Hughesville looks to be the favorite to take home team gold here, led by Tyce Shaner and Wyatt Laubacher.

Danville has a slight edge on Lewisburg for second going in, but in a race this big anything can happen.

Towanda looks to finish fourth, while Troy can be a top five team if they run well, with Milton also in the mix.

Shaner and Lewisburg’s Justin Nolt appear to be the two looking to battle it out for gold going in.

Other individuals at the top will likely be Warrior Run’s Aiden Hoffman, Laubacher, and Danville’s duo of Sam Nied and Wesley Oldfield.

NPM’s James Knefley is coming off a win at the NTL Invitational and was a state qualifier last season.

Wellsboro’s duo of Max Macias and Henry Whitney have run consistently strong all season, and should be in the mix for individual spots.

Mt. Carmel’s Ebin Hine, Hughesville’s Carter Sherwood, and Lewisburg’s Ian Cavanaugh are others to watch.

In the NTL Towanda’s Boom Thompson and Emmett Klees have a shot to earn a state spot, along with Athens’ Jacob Shores, and Troy’s Frank Harper and RJ Bellinger.

One interesting wrinkle could be the return of Athens’ Graham Wanck. He’s been out all season with an injury, but could run on Thursday. 

Wanck is a 2-time state qualifier and could shake things up if he’s in the field.

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