NTL CROSS-COUNTRY: TROY BOYS HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN 2024 (2024-08-22)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
The Troy boys’ cross-country team has seen their numbers balloon after last year’s team earned a state berth. Now they’ve set their sites on the NTL Division-II title that eluded them in 2023.

“We’re really excited,” said coach Curtis Miller. “Last year we fell a bit short of the NTL championship, but we were able to make the trip to states, which was just a huge experience for us. Bringing back the core group - we really only lost one kid out of those seven that went to states - we’re just excited, and I think we’re prepared for the season.”

Their top six come back led by Evan Geer, Frank Harper, and Hart Houseknecht, who all finished in the top 14 at districts last year.

“We had a good pack team last year, but being in Class AA, those times are going to have to come down a little bit,” Miller said, eluding to the fact that they moved from Class A to AA this year. “Our times have to come down across the board. I’m looking at kids like Mason Wulff, Lucas Loxley, Pryor Teribury, and we have incoming freshmen that’s a good group with RJ Bellinger, Cooper Kellogg, Jasper Miller, and Colin Kavanaugh. We’re just really looking for those guys to step in and kind of push the group ahead.”

This will be Geer’s second year running and he looking to be a bit more seasoned this time around.

“I had a bad habit of going out a little fast,” he remarked. “I wasn’t used to that, but I think I’ve gotten it under control.”

After helping the track and field team to a league title last year he’s hoping to bring one to the cross-country squad this time around.

“It’s definitely a big goal for this year to get that NTL title, I think we definitely can,” he said. “I think pushing each other a little bit more; last year we kind of got stuck together, but I think we to use that a bit more to continue forward.”

They’ll get a chance at redemption this year as they get the defending NTL champions Towanda at Mt. Pisgah again.

“I’m excited because that’ll be a fun race,” Geer said.

On the girls’ side the numbers continue to be small with just three runners, but one is 3-time state qualifier Alyssa Parks, who is going for the perfect 4-for-4 at districts this year.

“The goal for Alyssa is to get that fourth straight berth to states, and try to get that medal,” Miller said. “We’re really looking for her to be a role model, because we have a lot of girls on our junior high team, so looking for her to lead by example, and we’re just really excited to see what else she can accomplish this year.”

Parks has changed things up a little bit to try and get a little bit faster this year.

“I’ve been running longer than I have in the past,” she said.

She’s still be in Class A, but with just five individuals making states there is little margin for error.

“I’d like to get past 20 (minutes) or 19,” she said. 

The senior is hoping the strong competition in the NTL will bring her down to that mark.

“I know a lot of them, and I can’t wait to run against them all, because it’s all good competition,” Parks remarked.

ROSTER

Boys

Evan Geer

Hart Houseknecht

Scott Lackey

Lucas Loxley

Brody Campbell

Frank Harper

Mason Wulff

Ben Osgood

Evan Barbour

Draden Keltz

Jasper Koch

RJ Bellinger

Owen Campbell

Cooper Kellogg

Jasper Miller

Nolan Osgood

Colin Cavanaugh

Girls

Alyssa Parks

Kalynn Keltz

Sheridan Wilcox

SCHEDULE

Aug. 27 at NPM, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Bear Mountain River Invitational

Sep. 10 at NEB, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 14 at Chenango Valley Invitational

Sep. 17 vs Wyalusing, Towanda, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 21 at Owego Invitational

Sep. 24 at Sayre, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 28 at McQuaid Invitational

Oct. 1 at Sullivan County w/Canton, Athens, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 at NTL Championships, 9 .m.

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

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

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