BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
Towanda come into the 2026 track and field season with high hopes for their girls squad, both individually and team wise. They return one state medalist, another state qualifier, and will look to be competitive in the NTL title hunt.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Towanda coach Casey Ellis. “Our goal is definitely to go for the NTL title. There are some tough teams in the NTL, but we believe we have a pretty good chance.”
Brynn Woodruff was the state runner-up in the javelin a year ago, while Izzy Larson was a state qualifier in the 1600.
“I’m looking for some big goals this year,” Larson said. “I’m going to try to drop (my time). Just keep with my training, trust my coaches, and try to stay healthy. I think this year I’m going to shift more towards the 800, so hopefully that helps me, also. Usually you see a lot of good competition around here in the 800, and it’s a quick race. It’s very difficult, but I just like the thrill of it.”
Last year’s 4x800 relay missed states by .01 seconds, and they believe a state berth in that is right at their finger tips.
“We get Maris (Cobb), which will be a good addition, and everyone’s returning besides Mel, so we should be better than we were last year,” Larson said.
Cobb was a state medalist in cross-country this year a freshman, but will be dual sporting with softball. She’s not the only good newcomer Ellis expects this year.
“Lila Larson also made a big leap during the cross-country season,” he said. “Eliana Cook had a very good JH season last year that culminated in a 12th place finish in shot put at New Balance Nationals.”
On the boys’ side they have a few returnees who were able to get some hardware at the end of last season.
“Jazick Brown is a returning district medalist in the 400, and is looking to make that jump to states,” Ellis said. “Kole Heyer has also medaled at districts in the high jump, and has been putting in a lot of work this past winter. Kolton McPeak is the returning NTL champion in javelin, and has been looking good this pre-season.”
Heyer is hoping to build off last year’s strong high jump performance.
“I’m going to try to just work more to make sure every single practice I can do as much as I can, as intensive as I can,” he said. “To really get the most out of high jump.”
There are some things he’s working on to get a few more inches.
“I’m definitely able to run faster on my approach,” said Heyer. “Hopefully that leads me jumping higher.”
The state standard is 6-feet, 3-inches, which has to be hit at the district meet, while Heyer is also looking at the long jump.
Ellis believes they’ll have a strong distance crew this year.
“Emmett Klees and Phillip Spinney both had strong junior high seasons lat year, and are coming off a strong freshman cross-country season,” he said. “Walter Foley has also put in a lot of work this winter, and has shown improvement.”
ROSTER
GIRLS
Abby Benjamin
Aislyn Strange
Ali Hollett
Angie Tavani
Brynn Woodruff
Callie Napp
Cheyenne Morgan
Dawn Petty
Eliana Cook
Izzy Larson
Julia Parker
Karis Flynn
Katelyn Blockzyl
Kendra Cook
Kennedy Heyer
Kenzie Brown
Kiera Casselbury
Lila Larson
Lilyann Sproule
London Decker
Lyndsey Hudson
Maddy Snell
Marin Maynard
Maris Cobb
Mary-Kate Eberlin
Mya Maynard
Natalyn Morris
Reese Sullivan
Sianna Lane
Brook-lynn DeLeRee
Aurora Scott
Kylee Barnes
Aubree Coolbaugh
BOYS
Aaden Blockzyl
Anthony Rifenbark
Ben Shrawder
Blaiz Nichols
Brayden West
Cameron Miller
Carter Schoonover
Declan Anderson
Dominik Miller
Emmett Klees
Jackson Frederick
Jayden Bartholomew
Jaydon Stranger
Jevan Gunther
Joseph Diaz
Keegan Stroud
Kenneth Carle
Kole Heyer
Kolton McPeak
Lake Strickland
Layk Brown
Markell Garner
Matthew Weinman
Nolan Deacon
Owen Mastellar
Phillip Spinney
Quentin Little
Roy Vanderwal
Ryon Bailey
Tommy Bowen
Walter Foley
Zach Mosier
Jazick Brown
SCHEDULE
Mar 24 at Troy, Williamson, 4 p.m.
Mar 31 vs NPM, Canton, 4 p.m.
April 2 at Kirby Classic
April 7 at Wyalusing, Canton, Wellsboro, 4 p.m.
April 11 at Don Wilhour Invitational
April 15 at Athens, Wyalusing, 4 p.m.
April 17 at Walter Godek Twilight Invitational
April 18 at Roddick Invitational
April 21 vs Wyalusing, Sayre, 4 p.m.
April 24 at Lasagna Invitational
April 28 vs NPM, Troy, NEB, 4 p.m.
May 8 at NTL Championships (Athens)
May 14 & 16 at District IV Championships (Milton)
May 22 & 23 at PIAA Championships
