NTL CROSS-COUNTRY: TOWANDA SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN 2021 (2021-11-19)

Northern Tier Sports Report
Towanda runners showed a marked improvement from 2020 to 2021, culminating with three earning state qualifying spots.

“Overall, we had a great year and saw a lot of growth on both sides,” said coach Mike Maurer. “The runners did a great job at buying into the program, and training, and we put ourselves into contention for a district place, if not for two key injuries.”

Taylor Brennan for the girls, and Eric McGee and Nate Spencer for the boys, were their state qualifiers.

Both teams were middle of the pack teams during the NTL dual meet season, though the boys nearly knocked off NEB, falling 27-28, near the end of the year.

The girls’ team saw their 14-44 victory over NEB as their signature win, considering it was the Panthers’ only league loss all year.

At the NTL Coaches’ Invitational, Towanda was tied with NEB on the boys’ side with three medalists, while the girls had two medalists.

Going into districts, the boys were a dark horse to sneak into second place as a team, but injuries in the back half of the pack kept them from pulling off the upset. They still finished fourth, with the two state qualifiers.

The girls’ took fifth as a team with two in the top 25.

Looking ahead, both teams have bright futures, as the boys’ return their entire top five, including both state qualifiers. Spencer, McGee, and Luke Tavani form a good core for next year’s pack.

On the girls’ side they return much of their top seven, led by Brennan and freshman Marisa Wise.

“I’m very excited for next year,” said Maurer. “We will miss our two seniors, but we know there is a lot of potential as we look to qualify as a team next year.”