The NEB boys cross-country team feels like they have some unfinished business this year, while the girls team looks for a bounce back season.

"We've got a good group coming back with those freshman boys," NEB coach Dillon Lockwood said. "We've got a strong group of junior high boys coming up, so that's exciting. And the addition of Julia (Laudermilch) on the girls side, I'm looking forward to what that team is capable of, as well. I'm hoping to get a league title for both. We'll see how the cards fall, but that district title is what we focus on, and that's not going to change this year."

The Panthers were the District IV, Class AA boys champs last year, but were edged out by Sullivan County for the Small School title.

"We have a really strong top five," Jackson Martin said. "We only last my brother from last year. I think we can win districts, and possibly make a good run at states this year."

He likes how the team has grown this season.

"It's really encouraging just seeing how many people want to continue running," Martin said. "Our team is really young. I don't know how many sophomores we have but we only have one senior again, so it's really encouraging just to see all the young kids that want to run."

Martin finished 30th at states a year ago, just missing out on the medals, so that's his biggest motivation this offseason.

"I've been doing a lot of fartlek workouts, and just running a lot of longer runs," he said. "I've been running 30 to 40 miles a week."

On the girls' side state qualifier Sophie Bennett returns, who also had a strong track season with two district medals.

"That was great," Bennett said. "I'm super excited to see what I can do this season, a long with helping my team to accomplish a lot. I learned a lot in track, and I'm going to apply that to cross-country."

She's been putting in the miles this summer.

"I'm just having to make sure I love this sport," Bennett said.

Laudermilch was the top junior high runner in the NTL a year ago, and they return Ruth Laudermilch, and Eli Mihalek from a year ago as scorers from a year ago.

"We've really bonded as a team," said Bennett. "I think it's going to be super fun, and I know that we're going to build off of each other."

The District IV, Class A field will now get two teams and 10 individuals to states, instead of the one and five from past years.

That opportunity comes with a caveat as the competition will be stiffer with Hughesville and CV moving down from Class AA.

"With the addition of Julia, Ruth almost making states last year, and Sophie going, I'm hoping those three can lead them to a district title, if not a state trip," said Lockwood.

ROSTER

BOYS

Ian Bacon (12)

Jackson Martin (11)

Josiah Russell (10)

Xavier Lockwood (10)

Keagan Netherton (10)

Levi Dewing (10)

Jesse Dewing (9)

GIRLS

Bella Russell (12)

Ruth Laudermilch (11)

Sophie Bennett (11)

Riley Lamson (11)

Eliana Mihalek (10)

Beth Bartlet (10)

Julia Laudermilch (9)

Charlotte Martin (9)

SCHEDULE

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

Sep. 5 at Cliff Robbins, 9:30 a.m.

Sep. 8 vs Canton, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 15 at Towanda w/Sayre, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 22 at Wyalusing w/Troy, 4:30 p.m.

Sep. 29 vs Athens, Sullivan County, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at McQuaid

Oct. 17 host NTL Championships, 10 a.m.