ROME — Last year Sullivan County runners nipped NEB early in the season, and then held on to claim the NTL titles. This year it was the Panthers nipping the Griffins late in the season to get both league titles in cross-country action Tuesday.

"I like this weather better," NEB coach Dillon Lockwood said, noting that when they faced Sullivan last year it had summer like temps on Round Top. "I did follow them more this year than I do other years, but really until last week I didn't look much at many other schools."

For the boys NEB got the odd numbers (1,3,5) to Sullivan's even (2,4,6) then packed things in before their fifth to pull out the win.

Jackson Martin (16:37.59) pulled away from Sullivan County's Calen Sweigart (17:08.94) to take first.

Levi Dewing (17:33.36) was third, Xavier Lockwood (17:59.09) was fifth, Keagan Netherton (18:36.89) came in eighth, and Josiah Russell (18:48.43) rounded out their scorers in 10th.

"Jackson has impressed me every time," said Lockwood. "Levi's really stepped up, and X has really gained some ground this year, which is pretty fantastic."

For Sullivan Carter Blasi (17:50.5) was fourth, Chase Preston (18:09.34) came in sixth, Seth Sweigart (18:11.71) was seventh, and Isaiah Botsford (19:38.18) came in 13th.

Both teams beat Athens, with NEB getting 16-47, while Sullivan won 16-45.

On the girls side the Lady Panthers packed it in the front, with their four finishers in the top six spots, to pull out the win.

"We told them at the beginning of the race if you see Sullivan in front of you, you've got to get front of it," coach Lockwood said. "You've got to be as close to your teammates as possible."

NEB's Sophie Bennett (20:59.74) won the race with Julia Laudermilch (22:13.68) in fourth. Charlotte Martin (22:20.31) was sixth, Ruth Laudermilch (22:37.03) came in seventh, and Bella Russell (26:5.64) rounded out their scorers in 15th.

Paige Jordan (21:25.71) was third to lead the Griffins, as Addisyn Templin (22:14.55) took fifth.

Kara Jordan (22:41.11) was eighth, Adilynn Thibodeault (23:09.44) was ninth, and Zoey Reese (23:10.63) took 10th to round out their scorers.

In the junior high boys race NEB's Zeb Laudermilch (10:31.06) won. The Panthers beat Athens (20-41) and Sullivan (16-45), with Sullivan getting the Wildcats (25-46).

In the junior high girls race NEB's Rory Manning (12:25.55) won as Athens beat NEB 9(6-37) and Sullivan County (15-50). NEB beat the Griffins (6-15).

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