BLOOMSBURG — The District IV, Class A Girls Cross-country Championship race was a reminder that, even those who finish near the back of the pack, can alter the course of their teams. NEB and Sullivan County tied for second, and it came down to their sixth runner, and the Panthers edged out the Griffins by one spot to earn a state berth.

Both teams finished with 56 points but it was NEB's Beth Bartlett (26:25.4) that proved to be the difference, finishing just ahead of Griffin Emily Guare (26:40.1) in 42nd while she was 43rd.

"It's exciting to know I contributed," Bartlett said. "I wasn't thinking about passing Sullivan specifically, I was just trying to run, and run fast for our team."

Of course a lot of things had to go right to get to Bartlett as the Panthers were sitting in fourth halfway through the race.

Hughesville (42) ran away with the district title, but it was Sullivan County in second for the first half of the race.

NEB got into second after the halfway mark, but in the final mile the Griffins took the state qualifying spot back.

At the end, though, NEB's Sophie Bennett (19:53.6) out kicked Sullivan's Paige Jordan (19:55.9) to take home silver, and that proved an important place to get.

"I wasn't quite expecting to be second," Bennett said. "And, especially for my team to make it, as well, it's a huge accomplishment."

Bennett and teammate Julia Laudermilch were sixth and seventh halfway through the race, but moved up to fourth and fifth in the final mile.

"That's usually my method, go out a little slow because people tend to go out very fast, so I kept trying to keep myself calm," Bennett said. "Remember that everyone else is going to start to slow down, and I'll just keep picking up the pace as it goes."

However, she wasn't aiming for second place until the final stretch.

"I didn't think second was possible throughout the race, but as soon as I saw the opportunity, I really wanted it, so I just decided to go for it, and see what happens." Bennett said. "Even though I didn't know it at the time, I feel super accomplished, and that I really stepped forward for my team."

Julia (20:46.5) ended up taking sixth in her first district race.

"It was a little intimidating," she said. "I was just trying to stay with Sophie for most of the race. It helps me to push myself a little harder having Sophie to run with."

She'll be going to states with her sister, Ruth Laudermilch, who missed qualifying for states last year by one spot.

"It feels really good," Ruth said. "My first year we missed qualifying by one point, and then last year I missed it by one place. We get to got as a team so that's pretty fun."

Ruth (21:39.6) was 10th overall, and would have made states even if they didn't edge Sullivan County.

"I just wanted to stay with Charlotte (Martin)," Ruth said. "We knew we needed enough of us into the top 10. I just wanted to push Charlotte, and bring her with me so we could get the team to states."

Martin (21:54.6) was 14th overall as NEB's fourth runner.

"I'm really glad that I had this team to push me to do had things," she said. "It's nice having (Ruth), she's usually right next to me, or a little ahead of me, so it just helps me to pace myself."

They had faith that they'd be able to pull through.

"We trusted that God would help us push ourselves to be the best that we could," Martin said.

Senior Bella Russell (25:45.5) was their fifth and she took 36th overall. This is her first year running and has made an impact from the start of the season.

"It's very, very exciting," she said. "I'm very glad."

Being the fifth runner comes with a little pressure.

"You've got to push yourself and do what matters to the team," Russell remarked. "I definitely wanted to get as many people as possible, and the thing that I kept saying to myself is 'He is worth it.'"

The team will now get ready for the state meet, which will be in Big Spring this year.

"I'm sure we'll enjoy this next week," Ruth said. "We'll focus on recovery, and we've been training for states, less for districts, so our peak of the season should be around states."

Regardless of how they do at states they'll never forget what they did as a team this past Thursday.

"It's really exciting," Bartlett said about them taking second. "I feel like it's official, and I'm part of the team now."

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