If last week’s KVAC Championships were any indication, this Saturday’s Eastern Class A boys cross country championships should be something special.
Lewiston pushed defending regional champion Mt. Blue to the limit, with only three points separating the two squads. All season long the Blue Devils have been surging, and their performance has set up an interesting matchup at the Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast on Saturday.
The Blue Devils are suited for the traditionally fast course, but knocking off the defending champions won’t be easy. After last week, they’re no longer listed as a “sleeper.”
While Adam Deveau ran a solid race for the Cougars in capturing the individual title, his teammates weren’t at their best. They’ll need to be Saturday.
“They realize they’ve worked through the KVACs after a hard and challenging week of practice,” says Mt. Blue coach Kelley Cullenberg. “Our focus is in the regionals and states. They perform very well (at Belfast). They’re pretty excited to run the course again.”
Edward Little, Morse, Mt. Ararat and Brewer aren’t far behind and should all qualify for the state meet. For the individual title, look for Deveau to be tested by Edward Little’s Tom Esponette and Nick Kazar along with Mt. Ararat’s Raleigh Swan.
On the girls’ side of Class A, Brunswick and Mt. Ararat are the favorites with Hampden, Cony, Mt. Blue and Edward Little a tier behind. Oxford Hills’ Mandy Ivey won the Festival of Champions race at Belfast back on October 1st, but KVAC champion Krystal Douglas of Mt. Ararat didn’t compete. Those two will go at it for the fifth time this season, with Hampden’s Molly Peverada also challenging.
Leavitt is taking five sophomores and a freshman to Belfast after easily taking home the KVAC B title. The field in Belfast is a rugged one with Caribou and Ellsworth.
“It’s a challenge with such a young group, but they’re learning the ropes,” says Leavitt coach Tina Meserve. “Part of it is to run their own race and not run with the pack at the start. They seem to be ready to go.”
Ellsworth sophomore Corey DeWitt is one of the top runners in the state and won both the PVC Championship race along with the Festival of Champions race in which he nipped Lisbon’s Tyler Clark at the tape.
The Monmouth girls head to the Twin Brook course in Cumberland for the West regional looking to knock off Freeport for the girls’ C crown.
“They’re the real deal,” says Monmouth coach Rick Amero. “We got to see how tough they are.”
Monmouth and Freeport faced off in a meet earlier this season, with the Falcons taking the top five spots for a perfect score of 15.
Freeport’s Lucy Garrec and Kelsy Nichols are two runners to watch. Madison’s Danielle Hebert, Hall-Dale’s Megan Ellis and Telstar teammates Jenifer DeNormandie and Brianne Bailey could also take the top spot.
The Lisbon boys should once again have Winthrop nipping at their heels. Lisbon’s Clark and Winthrop’s Danny Soltan will battle individually.
as well.
The boys’ B race features Lake Region’s Miles Bartlett with Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth the top teams.
Cape, led by WMC champion Clare Egan, is also the favorite on the girls’ side.
McAuley and Scarborough are among the top girls’ teams in Class A with Portland and Scarborough on the boys’ side.
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