Congratulations to the Lewiston and Edward Little track programs for their outstanding finishes in the Class A state track meet. South Portland, Cheverus and other Portland area high schools have historically been so strong in track and field that I never thought I’d see the day when Lewiston and Auburn would have the top two boys’ teams in Maine.

The community should be very proud of the hard and intelligent work done by Coach Ray Putnam for LHS and Coach Ryan LaRoche for EL. They built on the great work of coaches such as John Sinclair, Al Harvie and Dan Campbell, who made important contributions to state championships at Edward Little in 2001 and 2003 and, now, Lewiston in 2006.

The athletes from Lewiston and Auburn competed with impressive poise and sportsmanship throughout the day. The final relay in which Kurt Thibeault held off an EL runner for the team championship was one of the most dramatic races in state meet history.

The teenagers wearing LHS and EL uniforms were a great reflection on Lewiston and Auburn.

Peter Slovenski, LHS 74, Head coach of track and field,

Bowdoin College, Brunswick