BLOOMSBURG — By most metrics getting six individual qualifiers to states would be a very good day at the District IV Cross-country Championships, but Sullivan County had dreams of taking both teams down to Big Spring, but it just wasn't in the cards Thursday.

The Lady Griffins had maybe the biggest heart breaker of the season, tying NEB for second place with 56 points, but finishing third due to the sixth runner tie-breaker - NEB's sixth edged their sixth by one spot.

Still, they got four individuals headed to states in Paige Jordan, Addisyn Templin, Adilynn Thibodeault, and Kara Jordan, while on the boys side Calen Sweigart is returning to states, this time accompanied by Carter Blasi.

Jordan (19:55.9) was third to lead the Lady Griffins.

"It feels amazing because we've been working towards this all year," she said. 

Jordan was as high as second in the middle of the race before getting passed at the finish.

"I was just trying to keep my place, and not let up," she said. 

She's shooting for the podium at Big Spring.

"I want to place, or get close to placing," Jordan remarked.

Templin (21:27.5) took ninth overall, and went to states last year when they qualified as a team.

"That was great," she said about making it as an individual. "It's just another accomplishment, and there's plenty more to come."

Coming up short of one of the two team spots hurts, but they aren't going to hang their heads.

"We definitely pushed really hard, so I'm just proud of my team, and how hard we've been working this season," said Templin.

Thibodeault (21:51.5) moved around a little bit in the race, sitting in 14th at one point early, and getting as high as 10th late in the race before finishing in 13th.

"It feels really amazing," she said about earning a state berth. "We definitely wanted to stick with any maroon and white that we saw. If they passed me I just tried to stay with them."

This will also be her second time going to states.

"I just want to stay motivated, and be excited to have the opportunity, but also put in more work, and hopefully do better," Thibodeault remarked.

For the freshman Kara Jordan (22:35.9) this will be her first time going to states, as she finished 18th.

"It feels really good, and I'm so proud of the group," she said. "I'm so glad I've got to have this chance. I'm just so proud of how hard I was pushing."

Kara is looking to have a fun experience next week.

"I'm just going to try my best, and hope to do my best," she said.

Zoey Reese (22:59.3) rounded out their scorers in 20th. She was the first one out of the state qualifiers.

In the Class A boys race only one team got to go to states, and Sullivan County (41) came up just short of NEB (34).

Sweigart (17:05.7) took second overall to punch his ticket while Carter Blasi (17:32.1) was sixth.

"It feels great, I'm ready for it," Sweigart said about going back to states. 

He spent the majority of race running in second behind eventual champion, NEB's Jackson Martin (16:31.5). At the end Sweigart held off NEB's Levi Dewing (17:08.5) to take home silver.

"Always chasing Jackson is fun," Sweigart said. "He's really fast."

After making states a year ago the sophomore is hoping to do a little bit better this time around.

"I'm capable of being a top runner at states," he said.

Blasi has come up just short in the past, so the junior was excited to finally punch his ticket.

"It feels amazing," he said. "I've been working for several years to get to this point. I knew I was going to be right around the cut-off, but I was confident."

Blasi was right on the bubble the first half of the race, but moved up the second half to give him some wiggle room.

"Two miles in people were telling me my place, and I knew there wasn't too many guys behind me," he said. 

As for states, he's looking going to keep his eyes going forward.

"I just want to focus on getting closer to the guys that were ahead of me."

Chase Preston (17:53.7) was ninth, Seth Sweigart (18:07.4) took 12th, and Andrew Kapec (18:49.7) rounded out the scorers in 19th.

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