After sweeping the NTL last year Towanda runners come into the 2026 season looking as formidable as ever, with district titles in their sights.

"We have a good group of kids, and a lot to build off from last year," said Towanda coach Mike Maurer.

They return their entire girls team, plus new recruits, while the boys bring back their core runners.

"It's awesome to always keep retention," Maurer said. "You want to keep bringing them backhand keep bringing them back. They can run practice themselves most days because they've gotten the schedule down for the last so many years, so it's fun, and it's a good group."

The girls blew through the NTL last year, then took third in the always tough District IV, Class AA field, one spot away from making it to states as a team.

"We're just going to put in the work, trust the process, and see what happens," remarked Maurer.

They return state medalist Maris Cobb, and 3-time state qualifier Izzy Larson to lead the pack.

"It's awesome bringing them all back because they work so well together," Maurer said. "They just work off each other, and feed off each other, so it's great to have them back this year."

This will be Larson's final year running for the Knights.

"It's really sad, honestly, but I'm excited to be with the girls for one more year," she said. "We're going to try to make the most of it."

Having done so well the past couple of years, especially in 2025, gives them high expectations going into 2026.

"It gives us a good outlook of where we want to be this season," Larson said. 

Individually, she's hoping to finally get that elusive state medal, along with earning a top two team finish at districts.

"We're definitely focused on keeping the team healthy, and working together," she said. "We know what we have to do to reach that goal."

The boys also blew through the league last year, and ended up fourth at districts in a very competitive field.

They return state qualifiers Emmett Klees and Boom Thompson from last year.

"It was real nice," Maurer said about seeing those two make it to Hershey last year. "They have the potential there, they just have to perform at the right time, and make sure you're doing what you need to do to take care of it."

Thompson is a busy guy in the summer between his four sports, but still found time to do some running. He's especially glad that their top five from last year are back.

"We've already had a whole year together, and they're just only going to get better," he said. 

They definitely have a bullseye on their back, but that's just fine with them.

"We like it," said Thompson. "We like being at the top, and it just helps us keep ourselves up there."

Thompson was eighth last year at districts, with Klees 10th, and they're hoping a few more runners will be up there with them this year.

"We'll have to work a little harder this year to get there," he said. "We'll have to push each other."

Hagen Jones, Phillip Spinney, and Jackson Frederick all return, while Maurer thinks a few newcomers could step up.

"I'm excited to have some of the eighth graders moving up," he said. "They were a pretty good core group in junior high, so we'll see."

ROSTER

BOYS

Emmett Klees (10)

Phillip Spinney (10)

Brayden Cox (9)

Nate Little (11)

Jackson Frederick (12)

Owen Brown (9)

Wyatt Jones (9)

Hagen Jones (11)

Boom Thompson (11)

Hayden Blake (10)

Blake Ackley (9)

Jaydon Stranger (12)

GIRLS

Mary-Kate Eberlin (11)

Maris Cobb (10)

Kenzie Brown (11)

Izzy Larson (12)

Leila Cobb (12)

Angie Tavani (12)

Lila Larson (10)

Taylor Aquilio (10)

Kaylen Sluyter (10)

Milana Miladinov (10)

Kyleigh Chilson (10)

SCHEDULE

Sep 1 at Athens, 4:30 p.m.

Sep 8 at Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.

Sep 11 at Spiked Shoe

Sep 15 vs NEB, Sayre, 4:30 p.m.

Sep 22 at Sullivan County, 4:30 p.m.

Sep 25 at Owego Free Academy

Sep 29 vs CV

Oct 3 at NEPA Invitational

Oct 17 at NTL Invitational