RUNNER'S WORLD: THREE NEW INDUCTIONS FOR NTL HOF, PLUS DISTRICT IV CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW (2024-10-23)
BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports ReportTwo new individuals and one new team were inducted into the NTL Cross-country Hall of Fame. Wyalusing’s Matt Roehrig and Mansfield’s Susan Learn join the group, along with the 2011 Canton boys’ cross-country team.
Roehrig was a 2004 graduate of Wyalusing who ran from 2001 to 2003. He was a state medalist (23) in 2003, while also the NTL Runner of the Year that same season. During that year he won the Valley Cross-country title, was second at the NTL Championships, and third at the District IV Championship.
He was an NTL first team all-star in both 2001 and 2002, along with being a state qualifier in both seasons. In 2001 he was sixth at districts, and in 2002 he was third.
Learn was preceded into the Hall of Fame by sisters Trish and Charity. Learn was a 3-time state qualifier (2008-2010), and a state medalist in 2008.
The 2011 Canton boys’ cross-country team claimed the NTL title, was second at the District IV Championships, and sixth at the PIAA Championships. They won invitational titles at the NTL Coaches’ Invitational, the Montrose Invitational, and the NEPA Invitational, while taking second at Bear Mountain River Run.
The team was made up of Brooks Gleckner, Emmett Watson, Eddie Larcom, Brennan Gleckner, Darren Killian, Andrew Moody, and Zachary Pettigrew.
DISTRICT IV PREVIEW
It’s districts week for cross-country, and once again the NTL looks to shine amongst the best in District IV. There are some changes this year - only one team and five individuals can qualify for states in the Class A races - so that will make a new wrinkle for 2024.
It looks to be chilly (52 degrees at 9 a.m.), cloudy, with 10-15 MPH wins - so a typical district meet.
GIRLS
CLASS A (9:30 a.m.)
On paper it looks like a 2-team race for the title, though there could be a third team sleeper. NEB comes in as the favorite after besting Wyalusing twice in their past two meetings. While they may not have any front runners they have the tightest pack of any team in the field.
Wyalusing’s Megan King looks like she could be in the top five but as a team they’ll need a strong performance from their fourth and fifth runners to finally catch NEB.
Warrior Run is the sleeper as they will likely have the district champion in Claire Dufrene. They also have two others runners ranked in the top 10 according to PennTrackXC, though they’ll need their fourth and fifth to have good days, too.
Individually, after Dufrene the other top three are Southern Columbia’s Haley Conner, and Troy’s Alyssa Parks.
After that things open up with King, Warrior Run’s Keiara Shaffer and Brenna Pick, Northwest’s Savannah Cronauer, Sullivan County’s Zoey Reese, and NEB’s Anaiah Kolesar.
CLASS AA (10:15 a.m.)
There are plenty of NTL runners in the hunt for a state berth in Class AA, which takes two teams and 10 individuals.
Wellsboro’s Lauren Kosek, Athens’ Sara Bronson, and Towanda’s Izzy Larson are all ranked in the top seven, and are the top three individuals when taking out the team favorites, Lewisburg and Danville.
From the NTL CV’s Natalie Yonker and Torrina Stratton are ranked in the top 10 for individuals, with Towanda’s Mary Kate Eberlin, and Athens’ Ava Hughes just on the outside looking in.
A potential sleeper will be NPM’s Jaci Fairchild, who is back after missing most of the season due to a medical issue.
Other individuals to watch are Central Columbia’s Erin Prezioso, Selinsgrove’s Ashtyn Lukens and Lake Dent, Shamokin’s Alexis Bressi, and Hughesville’s Grace Fortin and Vivian Draper.
Perennial state champion Danville are the favorites to get the team title with five runners ranked in the top 10, while Lewisburg, led by individual favorite Baylee Espinosa, looks to take second.
Towanda, though, should be in the mix for third place as a team.
BOYS
CLASS A (11 a.m.)
NEB are the heavy favorites once again, with five of the top 10 ranked runners.
Individually, Panther Creed Dewing will be defending his district title with Northwest’s Michael Fritz his toughest competition.
Canton’s Lawrence Halbfoerster, Wyalusing’s Trennan Tewksbury, and CV’s Hunter Simonds are all ranked in the top five individuals along with Northwest’s Oliver Heintzelman.
Other individuals to watch are South Williamsport’s Adam Kuriga, Sullivan County’s Chase Preston, and Canton’s Manuel Halbfoerster.
CLASS AA (11:45 a.m.)
Much like the girls’ field this group will feature some of the best runners in the state.
Lewisburg, led by individual favorite Jonathan Hess, are the ones to beat, but Hughesville is neck and neck with them.
Individually Athens’ Graham Wanck is ranked third overall behind Midd-West’s Ben Hummel.
Other individuals to watch are Shik’s Sam Hennett, Montoursville’s Weston Fry, Milton’s Rex Farr, Selinsgrove’s Michael Andretta, Shamokin’s Tyler Kerstetter, Mount Carmel’s Ebin Hine, Danville’s Sam Nied, and Warrior Run’s Aiden Hoffman.
On the outside looking in from the NTL are Wellsboro’s Max Macias, NPM’s James Knefley, Athens’ Ethan Hicks, Towanda’s Boom Thompson and Jack Tavani, along with Troy’s Evan Geer and Frank Harper.
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