BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
BLOOMSBURG — There was triumph and heartbreak for Northeast Bradford cross-country at the District IV Championships Thursday. Paced by Creed Dewing, the NEB boys won their third straight individual and team titles, while the girls came up just one point short of their bid for a district title.
In the boys’ Class A race the Panthers pretty much lapped the field, scoring 32 paces to win the title, well ahead of second place Canton (77).
Not only did Dewing win his third straight individual title, NEB had all seven runners finish in the top 16 - with four in the top eight.
“It feels good,” said first year coach Dillon Lockwood. “We were training for states, that’s what I keep tell them, and you have to get here, and do what you have to do to get there.”
Dewing (16:06) drafted off Northwest’s Michael Fritz (16:29.1) for much of the race before pulling away late.
Ryan Jones (17:09.1) was fifth, Jackson Martin (17:59.7) was the top freshman in the race in seventh, Dayton Russell (18:08) took eighth, and Brody Bennett (18:32.8) rounded out the top five in 11th.
“It’s definitely a fun record to have,” Dewing said about the 3-peat. “I’ve really enjoyed just running my whole career, it’s been a lot of fun.”
After pulling away early for his first two district titles Dewing was content to let Fritz take the lead for much of the race.
“I don’t usually have to too much of a game plan going in, I kind of feel out the race,” said Dewing. “I felt like it was going to go that way, so I just drafted off him and I know I have a good kick, so I used it.”
Fellow senior Jones wanted to get into the top five going into the race, running as high as third at one point.
“I just wanted to go in with the mindset that I’m doing it for God, my brothers, and my family,” he said.
While his teammates have been here before, Martin was excited to be along for the ride this time.
“It’s exciting to just have a really fun team, and have them all encouraging you, and push through the pain and all that,” he said. “It wasn’t easy, it was fun, but it’s definitely challenging. I was hoping for a little bit better of a time. I think as a freshman I did well.”
The runners came in as the heavy favorites, but after watching the girls’ team come up just one point short of their title attempt they weren’t taking anything for granted.
“We were disappointed, but we knew we had to keep the title for the boys, at least,” Russell said.
“It was more of a motivation that it wasn’t going to happen to us,” added Bennett. “We pushed through, and pulled it off.”
Three of the top five - Dewing, Jones, and Bennett - are seniors, along with seventh runner Tanner Herb, so this is their last ride together.
“I’m so proud of my team, and growing up with these guys,” Dewing said. “I spent the last six years with this crew, so they’re a great bunch of guys, and it’s super, super awesome just to come away with that record.”
They’ve set the bar high for states, looking for at least a top three finish as a team.
“I want to go out with a bang my senior year,” Jones said.
The girls lost by one point to Warrior Run, 42-43. The Defenders had three girls in the top seven, while their fourth and fifth runners had good enough days to propel them to the title.
“We would have liked a district title,” Lockwood said. “They did everything I needed them to do today. We had several PRs in that mix, they really couldn’t have done anything more than they did. Yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking, but it’s part of racing.”
Sophie Bennett (21:59.8) led the team in ninth place, while Anaiah Kolesar (22:16.4) took 10th.
Amelia Kapr (22:43.1) was 16th, Ruth Laudermilch (23:03.90 came in 18th, and Kara Dughi (23:04.9) rounded out the top five in 19th.
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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING
