Knefley (16:31.9) was right ahead of Halbfoerster (16:33.6) and Wellsboro’s Henry Whitney (16:36.6).

“It’s exciting,” Knefley said about taking first. “I think it was anybody’s game. There’s four of us really close, but I knew I wanted it, and then I went off.”

Knefley, Halbfoerster, and Whitney ran together the entire way with Knefley pulling out a lead in the final 800. Halbfoerster was able to pass Whitney in the final 200, and closed the gap on Knefley, but ran out of gas.

“I heard he was coming behind me, but I just tried to finish strong,” explained Knefley.

The junior feels this was a good race for everybody to get ready for districts in two weeks.

“It was a good race for everybody I think,” remarked Knefley. “I took the lead with a half mile to go, or maybe .6. I kind of wanted to do that if I was there.”

NPM was fifth with 112 points as Braden VanLoon (18:36.8) was 20th, Mason Forer (18:43.4) took 24th, Isaiah VanLoon (19:15.4) came in 34th, and Peter Bishop (19:27.9) was 35th.

The Lady Tigers came in second with 67 points behind first place Towanda (37).

Jaci Fairchild (20:44.8) and Leila Garverick (20:45.2) went fifth and sixth to lead NPM.

Moira Wheeler (24:20.7) took 23rd, Kara Barrett (24:36.7) was 25th, and Carolyn Cherwinski (26:02.6) took 31st.