SMITHFIELD — Towanda runners earned an NTL quad meet sweep during cross-country action on Tuesday.

Running at Athens' new home at SRU the Knights beat Troy, Canton, and the Wildcats for a strong start to their NTL title defenses.

On the boys side Towanda defeated Troy (17-46), Athens (19-42), and Canton (21-40). Troy edged out Athens (25-30) and Canton (25-30), with Athens nipping Canton (27-28).

Towanda's Emmett Klees (18:23) won the race while Canton's Manuel Halbfoerster (18:47) used a strong kick to finish second.

The Knights took the next two spots with Phillip Spinney (18:48) and Brayden Cox (18;51).

Canton's Landon Lake (19:35) rounded out the top five.

For the Knights Blake Ackley (20:47) and Jackson Frederick (21:24) were 10th and 11th to round out their top five.

Isaac Gates (19:47) was sixth to lead Troy, with Kyle Kibbe (20:05) seventh. Nolan Osgood (21:37) was 14th. Draden Keltz (21:48) took 16th, and Garrett Parks (22:16) was 17th.

For Canton Ryan Inman (23:24) took 21st, and Kobi Hoover (26:36) finished 25th.

For high school girls Towanda defeated Athens (17-44), Canton (15-50), and Troy (19-37). Troy won over Athens (21-36) and Canton (15-50), with Athens beating Canton (15-50).

Towanda went 1-2-3 with Maris Cobb (20:25), Izzy Larson (21:32), and Mary-Kate Eberlin (21:55).

Troy's Christine Ward (23:04) was fourth overall, with teammate Annika White (24:24) in sixth.

Rounding out Towanda's top five were Kenzie Brown (24:44), and Layla Cobb (26:00).

For Troy Kalynn Keltz (26:33) was 11th, Zoey Mann (26:43) came in 12th, and Sheridan Wilcox (30:46) was 16th.

Canton's two runners finished in the top 10 - Elizabeth Halbfoerster (24:53) was eighth, and Sarina Hess (26:32) came in 10th.

In girls junior high action Troy edged Towanda (27-29) while both lost to Athens - Troy fell 15-43 and Towanda lost 21-39. All three teams beat Canton 15-50.

Towanda's Talia Dzurinko (10:54) won the race.

In boys junior high Towanda edged Troy (10-11). Both lost to Athens - Troy (13-23) and Towanda (10-26). All three beat Canton 15-50.

Troy's Liam Shedden (10:09) was the highest area finisher in second.

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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING