2 min read
Edward Little’s Tommy LeBlanc prepares to land on a long jump attempt during a May 15 outdoor track meet in Lewiston. LeBlanc is one of the top athletes in western Maine this indoor season. (Andree Kehn/Staff Photographer)

Jackson Brooks, Leavitt sophomore, jumps/distance/relays: Brooks is KVAC Class B’s top-returning high jumper after clearing 5 feet, 2 inches at last year’s conference meet. He’s also one of the top returners in the long jump (16-2 1/2), and he’ll anchor the Hornets’ 800 relay team.

Alfie Cognata, Winthrop junior, distance: Winthrop is now part of a co-op with Cony, and Cognata has a chance to earn major points in distance events. His 800-meter time of 2:04.75 at states last year is fourth-best among all returning runners.

Mason Dulworth, Poland senior, sprints: Dulworth is the Western Maine Conference’s top-returning competitor in the 200 (24.64 seconds) and should be in the mix for a conference title in the 55 (7.06). He also anchors a strong 800 relay team.

Enzo Giampaolo, Lewiston senior, distance: Giampaolo is the defending KVAC A champion in both the mile (4:39.46) and 2-mile (10:24.75) and will also be a favorite to win the 800 as the conference’s top returner in that event (2:03.94).

Ryder Harding, Mountain Valley junior, jumps/sprints: Harding should compete for a high finish at Class B states in the long jump (19-3). He will also compete in the 55 dash and 55 hurdles for the Falcons, who join the ranks of varsity programs and will compete in the Western Maine Conference.

Cameron Harris, Lewiston senior, sprints/relays: Expect a huge season out of Harris, the defending Class A (52.67) and KVAC champion (52.18) in the 200, as well as the conference’s top-returning runner in the 55 (6.78).

Advertisement

Fernando Kele, Lewiston senior, jumps: As the top-returning competitor in Class A in both the long jump (21-6 3/4) and triple jump (43-9 1/4), Kele is a good bet to claim at least one individual state championship. 

Tommy LeBlanc, Edward Little junior, jumps/pole vault: LeBlanc’s clearance of 13-6 in last year’s Class A meet is the highest of any returning vaulter. He should also finish near the top of the KVAC A podium in the long jump (18-9) and triple jump (40-2).

Larson Stone, Lewiston senior, hurdles/jumps/pole vault: Stone is the defending KVAC A champion in the 55 hurdles (8.59). The senior is also the conference’s top returner in the high jump (5-10) and third among returners in the pole vault (9-6).

Angelo Toscano, Leavitt junior, pole vault: Toscano came close to the KVAC B pole vault title last season by clearing 10 feet, settling for second after losing the tiebreaker. He placed second in the KVAC Small School outdoor pole vault (10-6), also via tiebreaker.

Also keep an eye on: Harper Borden, Edward Little senior, distance; Cohen Demuth, Poland senior, sprints; Isaac Scribellito, Lisbon senior, middle distance; Riccardo Zella, Gray-New Gloucester junior, jumps.

Mike Mandell came to the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel in April 2022 after spending five and a half years with The Ellsworth American in Hancock County, Maine. He came to Maine out of college after...

Join the Conversation

Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.