Things are expecting to heat up at Friday’s Mountain Valley Conference track meet, and that creates cause for concern.

“When you look at the number of weeks where it has been cold and miserable, it’s tough to go and say, ‘It is going to be 90 degrees on Friday, be ready,”‘ said Lisbon coach Dean Hall. “It’s going to be brutal.”

The meet in Augusta could be a shock for runners plagued by a rather volatile weather pattern this spring.

Hall has been trying to prepare his kids by emphasizing hydration and to “drink, drink, drink”.

Still, the Greyhounds hope to steamroll their way to another pair of conference titles. The boys won last year’s meet by a large margin while the girls’ claimed their first title in 14 years.

“We hope to continue the same thing,” said Hall. “We’re looking for quality performances by a ton of kids that have been working for this all year long.”

Leading the boys is Tyler Clark, a two-time state champ in the 1,600 and the 3,200.

“He’s the class runner in the state of Maine,” said Hall. “I’m sure when he leaves the track, people will remember what he did that day.”

Dan Gil-Romero won the pole vault in the MVC meet last year while Aaron Cloutier (1,600, 3,200), Tyler Campbell (racewalk), Jared Williams (hurdles), Cam Bubar (hurdles) and Mark Stambach (discus) all placed last year.

For the Greyhound girls, Kelly Bourgoin placed in the 800, 1,600 and the 3,200 while Kayla Moan (1,600), Katrina McKay (3,200, pole vault), Sara Adams (racewalk), Amanda Lamb (high jump), Katy Fitzgerald (long jump, triple jump) and Rebekah Sullivan (shot put) were among the top finishers.

The boys have not lost a meet all year while the girls have broken even in a pair of battles with Hall-Dale. Once again, the Greyhounds depth could be their strength.

“We like to balance it off,” said Hall. “You don’t want to get shut out of 19 events. Every event you want to get some placement.”

KVAC

Edward Little enters Saturday’s KVAC meet at Morse with hopes of a fourth straight title.

“I’m ecstatic that the kids have done as well as they’ve done,” said EL boys’ coach Ryan LaRoche. “I don’t think a coach could ask for more.”

LaRoche says he feels more confident going into this meet with this group than he has with any other team.

“Looking event for event, we have top seeds in the 100, 200, 400, all three relays,” said LaRoche. “We’ve got guys in the top three in the mile, two-mile, 800, shot put, discus, the javelin and we’ve got guys on the bubble in the long jump and the triple jump.”

John Alexander (100, 200), Tom Esponnette (mile, two-mile), Ben Cleveland (800, 400), Troy Barnies (long jump, triple jump, javelin, 400), Brian Despres (shot put) and Matt Harmon (disc) could all place.

Last year, the EL girls finished third That was without Emily Dodge, who missed the meet to a back injury.

“She was worth 20-plus points and we lost by 18,” said EL girls’ coach Rebecca Hefty.

Hefty’s young squad may be ready to make the move. They’ve beaten Brunswick and Waterville three times each this season, and appear poised to start a streak of its own.

Muriel Schwinn placed in the 100, 200 and long jump last year while Abby Downs (pole vault and triple jump) and Maila Bourisk (hurdles) were among the point-getters. EL can add Dodge to the mix with Danielle Paul, Hanna Mogensen as well as throwers Vicki Boehlert, Josie Lahey and Diana Kruszewski.

The Lewiston boys’ won’t be at full strength but could still make noise. The Blue Devils are minus a number of athletes, including injured Jeff Lucier and Matt Driscoll.

“We’ll be okay, but we’re still not there” said coach Ray Putnam. “We’re looking to have all but one of our top kids back for states. We won’t be at full strength, but we’ll do OK.”

Lewiston will have George Foster, the defending state champ in the 800, Hossain Naji (hurdles), Husayn Carnegie (jumping events) and Tom Tripp (hurdles).

The girls’ have Lea Morin, who placed in the 100 and 200 last year, Katie D’Angelis (hurdles) and Kim Archibald, who won the discus last year.

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