BELFAST - Lessons learned from the 2006 season served the Lewiston boys' cross country team well during Saturday's Eastern Maine Regional Championship meet in Belfast.

"Last year the kids were a little too excited, and it came apart," said coach Ray Putnam of a team that fell short of expectations, placing third in the KVAC's, second in regionals and third in states.

This year, the coach and his team are determined not to let history repeat itself.

Competing against 12 other schools in the 5-kilometer run, Lewiston ran away with first place, 40 points better than runner-up Mt. Blue.

The Blue Devils had five runners in the top-20, led by Mohamed Noor's first-place time of 16:06.48.

Sophomore standout Sadam Abdi earned a fifth place finish, just :36.47 behind his teammate.

Junior Matt Driscoll made sure the Blue Devils were well represented in the top ten, placing seventh in a performance Putnam described as 'The best of his career.'

Tom Tripp, in his senior season, was moved up in the order to replace an injured teammate and turned in a 20th place finish that left his coach beaming. "He really stepped up and had a huge race today. " Putnam said, "The best of his life."

Robbie Leeman placed 11th in the event. Despite the margin of victory and standout performances, the Blue Devils remain focused.

"They were confident, but really humble," said Putnam. "There was not a lot of celebrating. I like the psychology of this team a lot. They're a very mature team."

The quest continues at the State Championships, Saturday, Oct. 29 at Leavitt High School.