NTL CROSS-COUNTRY: TROY RUNNERS POST ANOTHER STRONG SEASON (2022-11-19)

Northern Tier Sports Report
Another year in the books for Troy cross-country, and, while the girls’ streak of league titles came to an end, there were several positives for the Trojans.

The girls and boys both sent two runners to states, while the boys showed quite a bit of improvement during the season.

On the girls’ side the tight numbers will get a little tighter, as they graduate two and bring one up from junior high.

Alyssa Parks and Katie Lackey both made states this year, with Parks nearly bringing home a state medal. They also have Lillian DePew to add into the mix. Lilly Robbins and incoming freshman Sheridan Wilcox will round out their top five.

“I was proud of the girls keeping it together, going 6-4 in the league, and finishing third at districts,” said coach Gary Ward. “We have been talking to middle and distance girls on the Troy track team. It’s obvious we need some numbers.”

On the boys’ side Troy will return everybody from last year’s team that took fifth at districts, but weren’t too far from that state qualifying second spot.

“Numbers wise the boys are going in a different direction,” said Ward. “All 10 of the boys varsity are coming back. There are five freshmen, and two that ran under 19 minutes at districts. Three juniors will add senior leadership.”

State qualifiers Lance Heasley and Hart Houseknecht will return, along with Jacob Hinman, who nearly qualified for states. Freshmen Brody Campbell, Lucas Loxley, and Frank Harper will return, along with Trevon Teribury, who missed much of the season with an injury.

Hart Houseknecht also finished the season strong, along with fellow sophomore Ian Trick.

“They know what Troy kids did in the past, and they want their times down in the 17s,” Ward said. “Dave Voorhees has been helping with speed work, and lead assistant Curtis Miller has been training the boys hard.”

They’ll also get a plethora of junior high runners, including Pryor Teribury, Trey Teribury, Jasper Koch, and Kendrick Ross to give them 14 for next season.

Ward’s hoping that a few will break out of the pack, and give them a couple front runners.

“We need that skinny number at the top to go with the pack,” he said.

They’ll have tough competition in the league and district with CV, Athens, Troy, Towanda, and NEB.

“And, as I always says, you always have to keep an eye on Wyalusing,” Ward said.

Regardless, expect to see both Troy back in the hunt for league and district titles next season.

Print Friendly Version