NTL CROSS-COUNTRY: NEB RETURNS TO HISTORIC FORM IN 2021 (2021-11-17)

Northern Tier Sports Report
2021 was when Northeast Bradford cross-country got back near the top of the NTL pecking order. The Panthers saw their girls win an NTL Small School title, and take second at the District IV, Class A Championships, while on the boys’ side Creed Dewing earned a state medal.

“We had a phenomenal year,” said coach Adam Russell. “With Covid last year it made this year that much more spectacular. It was great going to invitationals again. It was great having such good, competitive NTL teams. The season seemed to fly by, and I wished it was longer.”

The girls’ finished with just one dual meet loss on the year, with wins over mainstays Troy and Wyalusing. The boys took second in the NTL Division-II standings behind the Rams, featuring all underclassmen.

“Our athletes really stepped it up this year with training,” said Russell. “We have a very awesome, fun group. They are an absolute join to coach, to run with, and just hanging out with.”

Injuries threatened to derail the Lady Panthers, as top runner Gracelynn Laudermilch missed several weeks, but was able to return for districts and states. Along with Laudermilch, they were paced by fellow freshman Lilah Hughes, and sophomore Melanie Shumway.

“Last year we had a young team and we still have a young team with eight freshmen, and only two seniors,” said Russell. “We had some good goals for the season, some we made, some we didn’t, and still some that we exceeded.”

They had a strong showing at states, taking 10th as a team.

“Bringing the girls team to states, and then placing in the top 10 still seems surreal,” said Russell. “Which has also brought us to higher goals for next year.”

For the boys Dewing took 25th at states, while teammate Ryan Jones also qualified to run at Hershey.

“It was great bringing home an individual medal, breaking a 4-year drought of a state medal for NEB,” said Russell.

The Panthers feel this is just the beginning, and that the sky’s the limit going forward.

“We have some really good eighth graders moving up that will really add some speed and depth to an already great team,” said Russell. “We are really looking forward to training in the off season, and bringing home even more state medals to NEB next season.”