BLOOMSBURG — The NEB boys cross-country team has a habit of saving their best for last, and that didn't change at the District IV, Class A Cross-country Championships Thursday as they used a strong back half of the race to claim their fifth straight district title.

NEB scored 34 points to top Sullivan County (41) as they beat the Griffins at every spot in the line-up.

Leading the way was Jackson Martin (16:31.5) who brought home the district title for the Panthers.

"First and foremost, Glory to God," he said. "It feels great to win, and when we win praise God, when we lose praise God, and today is a win."

Martin was over 30 seconds ahead of second place as he led from the gun, though Sullivan's Calen Sweigart hung with him for half of the race.

"So our goal was our first runner, Jack, to go out fast because some of those kids from the other teams would try to go out with him," explained Levi Dewing. "They'd fill up with lactic acid, then we'd have a couple of second guys on our team to come up and catch them."

Martin knew, though, that it would be a tough race as he went out in a 5:10 mile.

"It's just trying to stick with it," he said. "That's the hard part, going out fast for one mile, and it's a three mile race. You can go out as fast as you want, it's the other two that you've got to hold on to."

Martin didn't take his foot off the gas though.

"I just didn't look back," he said. "I just kept going forward to run as fast as I could."

Dewing (17:08.5) was one of those guys playing catch-up, and he nearly caught Sweigart in second place, finishing third just three seconds behind him, closing what was a 20 second gap not much before.

"I've always been pushed by my brother Creed," said Levi. "He's my inspiration to keep this streak going, to keep going to states."

Creed is the NTL's only 4-time state medalist, and Levi would like to get his spot on the state podium.

"My big brother Creed is my inspiration for that," he said.

Xavier Lockwood (17:48) was eight overall, moving up from 15th around the mile mark.

"The second mile I just kept going after people in front of me," he said. "Be smart, don't just ball through. The ultimately goals is to get in front of the second and third Sullivan kids."

Lockwood was in the top 10 by the second mile before moving up in front of two more Sullivan runners.

"I just think about during races about being in front of guys that we need to be in front of," he said. "Every place counts for the team."

Josiah Russell (17:57.8) was 10th overall for the Panthers as he came from 17th halfway through the race to get into the top 10.

"I wanted to stick with Keegan (Netherton) for the first mile and a half, and then pass him at the mile and half, and keep passing people," said Russell.

The sophomore enjoys having a big race like this.

"It helps me run faster because there's people around me that I can pass and beat," Russell said. 

Netherton (18:35.7) was the final NEB scorer, taking 17th overall.

"We were trying to run smart, and we were definitely trying not to run too fast to burn ourselves," said Netherton. "We wanted everyone of our people beating everyone of (Sullivan's)."

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