Molly Tarvin couldn’t help but think about what might have been.

The Northwestern girls second place finish in the Class 2A standings at last week’s District 11 Cross Country Championships might not have been the result the team wanted. But the Tigers still clinched a spot at this weekend’s state meet and improved on last year’s result with their performance.

“We did want that first, we were gunning for that,” said Molly Tarvin, who finished 13th. “But second is better than fourth, which is what we were last year.

“I wanted to take my team to states. I want all of those girls to be with me, because it’s my senior year. It’s my last opportunity.”

Northwestern finished second with 70 points. Allentown Central Catholic won the team title with 49 points.

“That was our goal, to get in the top two teams,” said Tigers head coach Chris Stitzel. “But I know the girls wanted it this year. For how much they dominated leagues this year, and especially the way they ran last week and how happy they were, I just know we didn’t have our best day.

“But that was our goal, though, was to still get the team to states, and we did that. I’m happy.”

Northwestern was the class of the Colonial League this year with a 24-0 record during the regular season. The Tigers were untouchable at last week’s league meet, with five in the top 10 and six in the top 12 to easily claim the team title.

But 1-2 finishes from Allentown Central Catholic’s Emily Deschler and Alyssa Deschler were too much to overcome last Wednesday.

Emily Deschler’s win also gave her back-to-back district championships.

Kailyn Jones (20:33.56) was the Tigers’ top finisher in 11th place, while Madeline Consuelos (20:49.05) and Alyssa Zack (20:51.85) finished 14th and 15th, respectively.

“I know they’re a little bit disappointed when they first found out that we lost,” said Stitzel. “But overall, I’m really happy with the season that they had, and we kept everybody healthy.

“Our top runners, it just wasn’t their day. But it was good enough to get us that second place, and hopefully, maybe we can get some redemption out at states. Just go out, and make some noise out there.”

In the Class 2A boys race, Northwestern’s Robert Leiser and Phillip Castrine earned the trip to Hershey.

Leiser qualified for the state meet with a fifth-place finish and will make his third trip to states.

“It’s nice to go back again,” said Leiser. “I kind of know what I’m doing. It gets better every time. So this time, I hope I do a little better than last time. Just hoping to improve again.”

The senior was third at the district meet last year.

“I wasn’t really sure,” Leiser said of his expectations for this season. “I was hoping somewhere in the top 10. But the competition got so much better, I wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen. But I’m happy with fifth.”

Castrine will be going to states for the second year in a row.

“I didn’t come out with a medal,” said Castrine, who was 12th. “But I’m always happy to qualify and have another week.”