BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
TOWANDA — The Towanda boys and girls cross-country teams ended the dual meet season in dominant fashion, claiming the NTL Large Schools as they both went undefeated on the season.
The Towanda boys beat Troy (19-36), Canton (20-35), and Athens (20-40) to clinch their title. Troy beat Athens (18-37) and Canton (23-32), with Canton defeated Athens (24-31).
The Lady Knights beat Troy (15-41), Athens (18-37), and Canton (15-50). Athens topped Troy (16-39), while they both beat Canton 15-50.
“I’ll be honest, it’s a relief,” Towanda coach Mike Maurer said about clinching the titles. “It’s something we looked at in August. We knew exactly what we were going to have to do, and we execute all year long, and it’s awesome. I feel over the moon for the entire group - it’s not often you could say you get undefeated NTL champs on both sides, so that’s a really neat experience.”
The girls were never challenged on the season as they’ll now gear up towards a top two finish at districts.
“They’re so tight, they do everything together,” said Maurer. “It’s just a great group of kids, they buy in, they do what they’re supposed to do, and it’s just a lot of fun to be able to do it.”
On the boys’ side they were looking to get redemption. Two years they edged Troy out at Mt. Pisgah to win the title, last year it was Troy nipping them at Mt. Pisgah en route to the Large School title, and now it was Towanda coming home with the rubber match on their home course.
“Last year was really tough with unforeseen circumstances,” said Maurer. “We ran as hard as we could last year and it just wasn’t in the cards. We came today and did exactly what we had to do. They had fun, and I think the best part about both groups is we don’t have any seniors.”
Canton’s Lawrence Halbfoerster (18:13) won the boys’ race to go undefeated in NTL dual meets, with Towanda taking the next two spots with Boom Thompson (18:38) and Emmett Klees (18:58).
Troy’s RJ Bellinger (19:13) was fourth, followed by Towanda’s Hagan Jones (19:28) and Phillip Spinney (19:42).
Troy’s Owen Campbell (19:56) out kicked Towanda’s Jackson Frederick (19:56) for seventh.
Canton’s Manuel Halbfoerster (20:00) came in ninth with Troy’s Ben Osgood (20:23) in 11th. Also for the Trojans Mason Wulff (20:42) and Frank Harper (20:42) were 13th and 14th to round out their top five.
Landon Lake (21:31) was 18th for Canton, with Nicholas Weaver (22:20) in 21st, and Chase Petrowski (25:10) in 27th.
For the girls Towanda went 1-2 with Maris Cobb (20:58) and Izzy Larson (21:25). Mary-Kate Eberlin (22:34) was fourth, Kenzie Brown (22:59) came in fifth, and Lila Larson (24:52) took sixth.
Alyssa Rinebold (28:07) was 11th to lead the Lady Trojans, with Kaylenn Keltz (29:33) in 15th. Sheridan Wilcox (31:34) took 17th, Charlotte Kafka (36:45) was 20th, and Sara VanNoy (43:23) came in 21st.
Canton’s Kathryn Wile (29:18) was 14th.
In junior high boys’ action Towanda beat Troy (20-35), Athens (19-36), and Canton (15-40). Troy defeated Athens (25-30), and Canton (18-37).
Towanda’s Brayden Cox (10:26) held off Troy’s Kyle Kibbe (10:58) to win the race.
On the girls’ side Troy beat Towanda 5-10.
Towanda’s Talie Dzurinko (12:01) won the girls’ race with Troy’s Christine Ward (12:17) in second, and Canton’s Lily Wagner (12:49) in third.
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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING
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