York High’s Lexi Brent is one of many athletes looking to win multiple events and help their teams capture titles at the outdoor track and field championships on Saturday. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer Buy this Photo
Maine high school track and field athletes will compete for state championships on Saturday for the first time since the indoor season of 2019-20. And there could be some dominant performances.
The Scarborough and York boys and the Bangor girls are favored to win team titles, and two athletes will attempt a rare quadruple sweep of individual events. The state meets are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday: Class A at Massabesic High in Waterboro, Class B at McMann Field in Bath and Class C at Brewer Community School.
Cheverus senior Victoria Bossong will try to sweep the 200 and 400 meters (she’s the Class A record-holder in each) along with the 100 and 800. In Class C, Winslow senior Carly Warn will attempt to win the 100, 200, long jump and triple jump.
“It’s quite a load. I didn’t ask her to do that. It was her goal,” said Cheverus Coach John Wilkinson of Bossong. “She already lost all last outdoor season and this indoor season (because of the coronavirus pandemic). And, she can handle it.”
CLASS A
The Scarborough boys have won four of the past seven outdoor meets and will be formidable again. Jayden Flaker is the top seed in both hurdle events, fellow junior Nicholas Connolly is among the top seeds in the shot put and discus, and Zach Barry should score well in the 800 and 3,200.
It could be a tight battle for second place. Cheverus jumper Frank Morang should score well in three events. Bangor is ranked first in the 3,200 and 1,600 relays and has Maxx Smith as the top seed in the discus and the No. 2 seed in the shot put. Gorham’s Andrew Farr is ranked first in the 100, 200 and 400, and Ryan Gendron is the top seed in the high jump. Falmouth is led by distance runners Logan Ross and Ben Greene.
Bossong could collect another state record when she races against Thornton Academy’s Mia-Claire Kezal in the 800. Bossong is seeded first at 2:14.38 – well under the 24-year-old record of 2:15.60 – while Kezal, the 2019 champ, is seeded second at 2:16.36.
The girls’ 1,600 should be another fast race. With Bonny Eagle junior Delaney Hesler seeded at 5:01.39, Falmouth’s Karley Piers at 5:01.54 and teammate Sofie Matson at 5:04.33, all three could dip under the 5-minute barrier, as Matson did in 2019 when she won the title.
“Matson is the one to beat. But all three have a shot to win that race. It is definitely the deepest distance field in Maine in recent history,” said Bonny Eagle distance coach Mike Burleson.
With both depth and talent, Bangor is the clear favorite in the girls’ meet. The Rams are the top seed in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays and have senior Alyssa Elliott, who is ranked first in the long jump and triple jump and second in the 300 hurdles.
“Without a doubt, the No. 1 team looks to be Bangor,” Cheverus’ Wilkinson said. “As far as runner-up, that’s where it gets interesting.”
CLASS B
Mt. Desert Island and York are likely to fight it out for both the boys’ and girls’ titles. Cony and Belfast also will contend in the girls’ meet.
The MDI boys are ranked first in all three relays and cover the sprints well with freshman Miles Burr and sophomore Walker St. Germain, the top seed in the 400. The York boys are strong in the field events, with Aidan Martin ranked first in the javelin, discus and shot put; Matt Charpentier seeded second in the shot and discus; and Christian Burke the top seed in the high jump.
“On the boys’ side, we’ve got the best throwing team we’ve ever had. But that won’t get us the whole way. We’ll nickel and dime our way, what we usually do,” said York Coach Ted Hutch, whose team won the 2019 title.
In the girls’ meet, York will be powered by junior Lexi Brent, who could win the 100 hurdles, 400 and 800. But Cony has top athletes in the distance and field events, as well as senior Anna Reny, who is ranked high in both hurdle events and the 200. MDI will net points in the relays, sprints and field events.
CLASS C
Orono, George Stevens Academy, Bucksport and Lisbon/Oak Hill should contend for both titles, and Traip Academy can’t be overlooked on the boys’ side.
“Traip Academy has amazing speed this year and they have three guys that can score in the 100, 200, 400 and long jump,” said Sacopee Valley Coach Ben Murphy, whose team won the 2019 title.
The Bucksport boys are led by thrower Gavin Billings, freshman distance runner William Hileman and jumper Colin Simpson. George Stevens should score well in the sprints, distance events, hurdles and racewalk.
In the girls’ meet, Lisbon/Oak Hill has four of the five top seeds in the long jump and three of the top four seeds in the triple jump.
But the Orono girls, who’ve won seven of the last eight team titles, are rich in distance talent, with three of the top six seeds in the 1,600 and the top three seeds in the 3,200. Winslow also will be in the mix, with Warn going for the quadruple win and Olivia Tiner seeded first in the 400.
“The first team closest to 100 points will win the meet. The major factor will be how our team responds to a hot, humid day,” said Lisbon/Oak Hill Coach Dean Hall.
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