Since the Maine Principals’ Association decided to do away with regional qualifying this spring, this weekend’s conference track championships have received even more emphasis.

One thing hasn’t changed all that much – the list of contenders for the conference titles.

In the Southern Maine Activities Association, Edward Little has seemingly forever dominated the girls’ SMAA meet, winning the crown every year since 1997. This year the girls head for Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland as a slight underdog in pursuit of their seventh consecutive SMAA title.

“I really think there are three teams that could come out of there with the win,” said EL coach Steve Robertson. “We have a chance, I think, and so do Thornton and South Portland.”

In a meet earlier this season, EL came from behind to defeat the Trojans by a slim margin, and did so thanks to a relay team and distance running.

“That was a tight meet, and then you look at South Portland, which has a very strong distance team as well.”

Leading the Red Eddies will be a bevy of athletes scattered throughout the events. Lindsay Visbaras will compete and place high in the sprints and in the long and triple jumps, while Pam Yomoah adds depth to the sprints and to the relays.

Sarah Crispin leads a talented distance corps that also includes Sara Gardner. Denise Minigell will be a shot in the arm to the Red Eddies’ middle distance and relay teams, while Kristen Keene should excel in the throwing events.

“We can spread everyone out pretty well, but it’s so close, I wouldn’t want to have to make a prediction,” said Robertson.

Thornton’s strength comes in the sprints and the jumps, while South Portland will counter with a strong distance and jumping team.

Lewiston had a very young team, and in most years the team would be very competitive.

“It’s unreal how talented this league is this year,” said Lewiston coach Ray Putnam. “When I started here, several of the times and distances we’ve had would have been near the top five in the state. This year, we have a lot of good athletes seeded as low as 11th and 15th in their events in the conference.”

On the boys’ side, the three-horse race just got a little bit tighter. Edward Little and Deering squared off in a meet earlier this season, and Deering took that meet by the skin of its collective teeth. Long distance specialist Donny Drake has since been sidelined with an ankle injury, and the Rams’ depth will be tested.

EL will have by far the best sprinting corps in the boys’ meet, led by Will Claxton and Matt Capone, who recently set the school record in the 100-meter dash at 10.75 seconds.

In the distances, Sam Fletcher, Liam Gallagher, Chris Pelliccia and Nate Cleveland should hold down the fort for the Red Eddies. Cleveland may also be called upon to run the 300-meter hurdles, which is a new event for him this season.

Lewiston will be strapped for participants this weekend and will have a few solid individual performers, but not nearly enough to place high at the meet.

Second or Bust

It’s no secret to anyone that the Western Maine Conference girls’ Division I championship will go through Greely High School.

The question is really by how much the Rangers will win.

Gray-New Gloucester will counter with several points in the field events, particularly in the throws with Louise Duffus and Mallory Wilson.

“We should be pretty strong in several events,” said Gray-New Gloucester coach Lowell Fancher. “We’ll get some points in the throws and in the sprints. We should be in the running for a top-four finish.”

On the boys’ side, Scarborough, York and Gorham seem to be the favorites based on sheer numbers. As has been their custom, Gray-New Gloucester will be strong in the pole vault, as will Scarborough. Of the 27 vaulters entered in Friday’s event, 16 are from one of those two schools.

In Division II, Fryeburg looks to be in control of the girls’ meet thanks to deep distance and middle-distance teams. Poland should contend in the throwing events with Gina Goyette leading the way.

“No one has touched her distance in the javelin this year,” said Poland coach Rick Kramer. “We’ll be pretty strong in the throwing events with Gina and with Felicia Gray. Where we finish is going to rely heavily on how well the runners can do in the big meet.”

On the boys’ side, Falmouth always brings a strong distance team to the big meets, and the Poland boys will post some gains in the middle distances.

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