LEWISTON – The KVAC indoor track meet hasn’t even begun, but the Edward Little girls’ already feel as though they’re winning.

One of the favorites in the meet at Bowdoin College has bolstered its roster of athletes by adding a few unexpected competitors to events. It has the girls’ squad excited about Saturday night’s possibilities.

“It wasn’t just about scoring opportunities,” said coach Rebecca Hefty. “It was the opportunity to get another chance for someone. That’s the morale of our team. These kids help each other, and they encourage each other.”

Lauren Brown, Morgan Wilkins and Ashley Green were not expected to be competing in the KVAC meet, but they’ve worked their way into various events.

“When Lauren got in, I think they were more excited that she got in to throw than they were about what we could do.” said Hefty.

Brown is a junior competing in the shot. She’s been steadily improving throughout the season.

“Every single meet, she’s gotten better and better,” said Hefty. “She was one of those right on the cusp. We didn’t think she’d make it, but because Class B only had four throwers, they filled Class A to 12, which is great. She’s been throwing 29-feet consistently.”

Wilkins will be running in the 400 meters. She’s new to the event but is quickly making a name for herself. She also qualified for the 200.

“We put her in the 400 just to try it last week,” said Hefty. “We went from not having anybody seeded in the 400 in the top 15 in the state, maybe top 20, to now having her third in the KVAC and potentially doing well.”

Green is an athlete Hefty has worked with regularly, trying to convince the senior of her potential. Green kept working and the results are showing.

“For the first time in four years she scored her first individual point and qualified for the KVAC and could potentially run well,” said Hefty. “She took two seconds off her hurdle time. She didn’t believe she could ever do it, but she did. That right there is what everyone on our team is excited about.”

Those athletes have bolstered an EL team already aiming high with 26 girls competing. The Red Eddies are favored entering the 5 p.m. meet, but Hefty told her team that seedings are nothing but paper. What matters is what they do Saturday.

“It’s now a matter of them putting it on the line,” said Hefty.

Brunswick and Mt. Ararat will be EL’s closest competition. Among the events to watch will be the mile. That race not only features Mt. Ararat’s Christina Erving but also EL’s Danielle Paul, Lewiston’s Toby Crispen and Mt. Blue’s Melody Lam. Erving, Paul and Lam also will race in the 800. In addition to Paul, EL expects scoring in multiple events from Muriel Schwinn and Emily Dodge.

The EL boys expect to be in the hunt as well. Though Brunswick is the favorite, EL is primed to give them a battle.

“I think Brunswick is pretty much the heavy favorite,” said EL coach Ryan LaRoche. “Lewiston and us are probably the next two teams. By seed, we’re separated by about a point. It should be another great knock down, drag out between us and the Devils.”

LaRoche is pleased to see his team producing its best results at this stage. Pole vaulter Josh Clark broke his school record recently, while numerous athletes set personal bests at their last meet.

“As a coach you feel good about what you’re doing when the kids are peaking at times like this,” said LaRoche, whose team has finished second five straight years. “We feel good about the effort the kids have put in. We’ve talked overall, ‘Let’s close the gap on Brunswick. Let’s close the gap on Lewiston, and let the chips fall where they do.'”

In addition to Clark, EL should get top finishes from sprinter Buddy Foss, hurdler Brandon Gruver, distance runner Chris Caiani and shot putter Jake Dubois.

Lewiston is battling injury and illness entering Saturday’s meet. The girls’ team will be without hurdler and jumper Kate DeAngelis. She injured her knee skiing.

“That really hurts the girls’ team because she’s a big scorer,” said coach Ray Putnam. “The doctor thinks she’ll be OK for the state meet.”

Crispen and sprinter Lea Morin will lead the Lewiston girls.

On the boys’ side, the Blue Devils are also battling adversity.

“We have a major illness that has hit this team this week,” said Putnam. “If we’re healthy on Saturday, we’ll be OK, but it will depend on whether we’re healthy.”

Shobow Saban, a junior division runner seeded first in the 400, is one of those who have been ill. Matt Driscoll should be one of Lewiston’s top finishers in the mile and two mile, while Tyler Roy should do well in the shot. Derrick Roy is among the contenders in the triple jump.

“Some of my star athletes have been like this all week,” said Putnam. “If they’re not better, there’s no way they can run through this.”