NTL CROSS-COUNTRY: WITH BIGGER NUMBERS TOWANDA HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS THIS SEASON (2024-08-22)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Towanda’s cross-country program is going through a renaissance as they head into the 2024 season. The boys boast 15 runners - seven of them freshmen - as they try to retain the NTL Large School title, while the girls also see quite an influx of talent.

“The numbers are great for us this year,” said coach Mike Maurer. “The added depth is key. We have struggled with junior high numbers, and to see our numbers continue to grow is very encouraging.”

Last year’s boys team eked out a league title over Troy in the Large School division, only to see Troy eke out second place, and a state berth, at districts. 

“I think we’re going to have a good team,” said senior Jack Tavani. “We’re a lot deeper than we’ve been the past two years. I think we’re going to have to trust the freshmen to come in and kind of replace (the runners we lost), and then get some of the guys that were here last year a little bit faster. We have to get our top two a little bit faster.”

Both teams will now be up in Class AA for districts, which is one of the toughest in the state, but first they’ll dual again at Mt. Pisgah with a likely division title on the line.

“We aren’t really approaching it as having a target on our back,” explained Maurer. “The approach is more of a business as usual, do the work, and continue to grow. Just enjoy the ability to compete and have fun.”

Individually, Tavani, Jacob Carr, and Wyatt Stranger were state qualifiers last year, with Tavani running 17:42 at districts. He’ll need to drop that time if he’s going to have a shot at making states in Class AA.

“I’m looking to get into the 16’s this year, around mid to high 16,” Tavani said. “I think the work that I put in over the summer is really going to help pay off. I think its going to be a lot tougher at districts this year to qualify, but I don’t doubt my abilities to do it, I don’t think our team is necessarily out of it, either. I think, as a team, we have a very good chance of qualifying for states.”

For the girls Izzy Larson is used to the high level of competition as she competed in Class AA a year ago at districts, and made states, though she couldn’t run due to an injury.

“It makes me feel a little better knowing I know the ground rules and stuff,” she said. “How to get around, it just makes me feel better as a runner.”

She was 10th individually at districts, which was her best race of the season. Larson would like to start off this year around that.

“I’m trying to stay up with the top girls, giving it my full potential,” she said.

The girls also got some reinforcements from junior high, and hope to be competitive in the NTL Large School race.

“We are expecting a big improvement on the girls’ side,” said Maurer. “They have been putting in the work, and the increase in numbers elevates our confidence, and makes us more competitive. Overall, we are just going to continue to work to the best of our ability, and see what happens.”

ROSTER

Boys

Wyatt Stranger

Jacob Carr

Jack Tavani

Quentin Little

Carter Stanton

Nate Little

Jackson Frederick

Chase Francisco

Levi Snyder

Hagen Jones

Boom Thompson

Anthony Rifenbark

Matt Weinman

Shane Maghamez

Jaydon Stranger

Girls

Mary-Kate Eberlin

Noelle Rogers

Kenzie Brown

Izzy Larson

Dixie Brown

Angie Tavani

Katelyn Blockzyl

Leila Cobb

Hannah Pretty

SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 at Cliff Robbins

Sep. 3 at Athens w/NEB, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 6 at Lasagna Invitational, 4 p.m.

Sep. 10 vs Sayre, Sullivan County, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 17  at Troy w/Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 24 vs Canton, NPM, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 28 at Bloomsburg Invitational

Oct. 1 at CV, w/Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 at NTL Coaches’ Invitational, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24 at District IV Championships, 9 a.m.

Nov. 2 at PIAA Championships, 9 a.m.

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