NTL CROSS-COUNTRY: NEB CONTINUES DOMINANT FORM IN 2023 (2023-11-15)
Northern Tier Sports ReportNortheast Bradford cross-country continued their dominant stretch, with the girls and boys both going undefeated in NTL dual meet action, repeating as district champs, and each finishing in the top 10 at the state level.
They also had two district champions and state medalists in Gracelyn Laudermilch and Creed Dewing.
“We had another awesome season!,” said coach Adam Russell. “We have a very hard working team, they are very competitive and always striving to make themselves and the team better. I don't know of another year where they've worked so hard in the off season and it really showed in there improvement from last year. We were healthy this year going into states and both teams improved a lot from last year. We once again had high goals for the season. We achieved for the first time in NEB history of having back to back boys and girls district championships. Even having both boys and girls individual district champions. The girls at states had a tough break but was awesome to see the team pick it up for their teammate and still be in the top five. The boys race at states was just ridiculously competitive this year and our team was still able to move up seven places from last year. The support we had at states from our parent and NEB cross-country fans was very humbling. Such a huge crowd out in front of our tent, was really quite impressive. Our team sure is blessed with great parents and supporters which drives this team to success.”
They had eight NTL all-stars between two teams - Dewing, Aidan Kapr, Ayden Finch, and Ryan Jones on the boys side, with Laudermilch, Anaiah Kolesar, Amelia Kapr, and Lilah Hughes for the girls.
The boys ran away with the NTL meet title with four in the top 15, while the girls won the title with two in the top 15.
At districts the boys had four in the top 11 with the girls getting three in the top 12.
At the PIAA Championships, despite missing their number two runs, the Panthers took fifth as Laudermilch led the way with a 17th place finish.
The boys were eighth as Dewing took seventh overall.
And it doesn’t look like it’s ending anytime soon, with both teams bringing back six of their top seven next season - plus reinforcements coming up from junior high.
“The team is already excited for next year and know the work that has to be put in to make an even more impressive showing at states,” Russell said. “So proud of this team and there work ethic, sportsmanship, and ability to push themselves and each other to the max! It was exciting to get so many new great 7th grade runners this year that really show huge potential. It's been an exciting year with the NTL having so many great runners, teams and coaches. It's great going to races in the NTL knowing there is such good friendly competition.”
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