The indoor track, swimming and skiing state meets have come and gone and local athletes once again turned heads.

Here’s a recap:

Skiing

Per usual, Forecaster Country Alpine and Nordic skiers dominated the recent state meets.

The Freeport boys and Falmouth girls won Class A Alpine championships.

The Falcons featured top-10 individual finishers Ansel Goode (fifth in the giant slalom with a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 31.31 seconds; and 15th in the slalom, 1:20.18) and Bobby Strong (seventh in the GS, 1:31.96; 14th in the slalom, 1:20.16).

Falmouth-Waynflete was second, as Porter Beaule was second in both the slalom (1:13.08) the GS (1:28.63), while Ian Christie came in third in the GS (1:29.19) and fourth in the slalom (1:14.38).

“The pressure really came in the second run when we found out (Falmouth-Waynflete) made (up) so many points from our lead,” Strong said.  “I had thought there was no catching us.”

“Falmouth has some real race horses,” said Freeport coach Phil Wagner. “We have draft horses. We have guys who get the work done. They may not pull the No. 1 or No. 2, but we’re going to be pretty solid through the rest of the order. In team scoring, that gives us the points.”

Greely was 11th in the slalom and 12th in the GS. Calum Sheff came in 25th in the GS (1:38.95) and 45th in the slalom (1:28.87).

In the girls’ competition, Falmouth’s first-place effort was keyed by Margo Hesson (third in the slalom, 1:19.29, and 11th in the GS, 1:33.61), Celia Geci (fourth in the slalom, 1:19.88, and fifth in the GS, 1:30.74) and Bridget Jacobson (fifth in the GS, 1:30.08, and eighth in the slalom, 1:20.59).

“I have a bunch of girls who are coachable and who work together and support each other,” Falmouth coach Janelle Day said. “I’m proud of them for going out there and tearing it up and being able to ski fast and in control.”

Freeport-Brunswick came in third in the slalom (Rosie St. Cyr was ninth in 1:20.60) and was fifth in the GS (Luci Bourgeois was 14th, 1:34.09, and Alexa Scott placed 17th, 1:34.59).

Greely placed sixth in the GS (Ruth Weeks led the way with a fourth-place showing, 1:30.68) and was seventh in the slalom (Weeks placed sixth, 1:20.21).

In Class B, Yarmouth’s boys were fourth (Caribou was first) and the girls came in 10th (Fort Kent took top honors).

The Clippers boys were led by Killian Marsh in the GS (fifth, 1:28.24) and Tyler Moore in the slalom (17th, 1:18.27).

The girls’ team featured Brooke Boone (fourth in the GS, 1:29.65) and Madeleine Jones (21st in the slalom, 1:33.77).

In Nordic skiing, Freeport swept the Class B championships.

The Falcons boys were paced by Teo Steverlynck-Horne, who was runner-up in both the classic (16 minutes, 45.6 seconds) and freestyle (14:56.9). Henry Horne came third in the freestyle (15:12.6) and was eighth in the classic (17:41.1). Al Dawson was ninth in the classic (18:00.5) and 13th in the freestyle (16:12.1). Will Morris finished 10th in the classic (18:06.8) and 10th in the freestyle (15:47).

Freeport’s girls got strong showings from Reed Proscia (second in both the classic, 20:46.3, and the freestyle, 18:40.2), Laurel Wight (third in the freestyle, 19:13.8, and fifth in the classic, 21:56.8), Lucy Huggett (seventh in the freestyle, 20:18.3, and 20th in the classic, 23:56.5) and Jillian Wight (tie for eighth in the classic, 22:10.0, and 11th in the freestyle, 20:46.0)

Yarmouth’s boys were second and the girls third.

The boys were paced by Aksel Yeo (fourth in the classic, 17:06, and sixth in the freestyle, 15:26.5), Owen Redfield (fifth in the freestyle, 15.23.7, and seventh in the classic, 17:37.6) and Cornelius Walsh (seventh in the freestyle, 15:30.0).

The Clippers girls’ team featured Sonja Bell (tie for eighth in the classic, 22:10.0) and Paige Brewer (12th in the freestyle, 20:46.7).

The North Yarmouth Academy/Maine Coast Waldorf boys’ squad finished sixth and the girls were seventh.

The boys were led by Soren Stark-Chessa (30th in the classic, 20:56.7, and 32nd in the freestyle, 19:45.6).

The team’s top girls’ finisher was Lydia Sharp (14th in the classic, 23:12.5, and 24th in the freestyle, 22:28.0).

In Class A, Greely’s girls were runners-up to Mt. Blue. Sylvia Harvey was sixth in the classic (19:50.9) and seventh in the freestyle (18:29.2).

Falmouth placed fourth. Zora DeSilva was 16th in the freestyle (20:58.9). Sydney Young placed 18th in the classic (25:16.4).

In the boys’ meet, Greely was also runner-up to Mt. Blue. Tait Harvey was second in the classic (16:36.0) and sixth in the freestyle (15:40.2). Ben Wall was fifth in the freestyle (15:36.5). Bez Mendelson came in eighth in the classic (18:08.1) and 10th in the freestyle (16:06.0).

Falmouth came in sixth. Isaac Seeker was third in the freestyle (15:22.8) and placed fourth in the classic (17:24.3).

Indoor track

At the Class A indoor track state championship meet last week in Gorham, Falmouth’s boys tallied 43.5 points and finished third (Scarborough was first with 69). The Navigators were paced by Miles Gay, who won the 400 in 50.85 seconds and their 4×200 relay team (Max Shapiro, Gay, Jackson Boyd and Finn Caxton-Smith), which placed first in 1 minute, 32.90 seconds (just shy of the state record of 1:32.89). Kaleb Barrett was third in the triple jump (42 feet, 1 inch) and eighth in the long jump (20-1). Aaron Gull tied for fourth in the high jump (6-0). Miles Woodbury finished fifth in the 800 (2:02.73). Shapiro came in fifth in the 200 (23.38) and seventh in the 55 (6.7). Caxton-Smith was seventh in the 200 (23.58).

In the girls’ meet, Falmouth had 15 points and tied Hampden Academy for 11th place (Bangor came in first with 94 points). The Navigators got a fourth-place finish from freshman Sara Tennent in the 800 (2:28.73). Skylar Bush was sixth in the 200 (27.17) and eighth in the 55 (7.72). Ruby Prentiss came in eighth in the shot put (32-00.50). Falmouth’s 4×200 relay team (Bush, Tennent, Maeve Ginevan and Bella Koepsell) was sixth (1:54.05). The 4×800 relay squad (Ginevan, Haley Barrett, Teagan Barry and Tennent) finished seventh (10:40.46).

The Class B state meet was held at Bates College in Lewiston, where the Freeport boys had 48 points, one behind runner-up York and nine behind champion St. Dom’s. Reese Perry set a new record in the pole vault (14-1).

“I just trusted what I’ve been doing,” said Perry. “Used what I have for skills, I guess. It was fun. The crowd brings so much more energy and I feed off that.”

Henry Horne won the mile (4:28.86) and was runner-up in the 800 (2:04.14). Will Spaulding came in fifth in the two-mile (10:39.14). Israel Ditanduka was seventh in the 200 (24.02). Jordan Knighton finished seventh in the 400 (56.54). The Falcons also came in fourth in both the 4×200 (1:39.31) and 4×800 (9:15.70) relays.

Yarmouth (28 points) placed eighth. Harry Dougherty was runner-up in the 55 (6.68), fourth in the 200 (23.48) and eighth in the long jump (19-3.75). Colby Ting was third in the pole vault (11-6). Wes Merrill finished sixth in the 200 (23.77) and seventh in the 55 (6.85). The Clippers’ 4×200 relay team was sixth (1:40.01).

Greely (26 points) was ninth. Gaelan Lucey was fifth in the 400 (58.88) and eighth in the triple jump (39-8.25). Kennett Adande Kinti was fourth in the shot put (44-5). William Coull finished fifth in the mile (4:48.61) and seventh in the two-mile (10:43.39). Samuel Anania (11-0), Liam Magoon (11-0) and Christian Wengler (11-0) were fifth, sixth and seventh respectively in the pole vault. The Rangers’ 4×200 relay team was fifth (1:39.36).

In the Class B girls’ meet, won by York with 62.5 points, Freeport (44) came in third. Avery Baker-Schlendering captured the high jump (5-4). Kessa Benner was runner-up in the pole vault (8-6). Lucy Bradford placed third in the pole vault (8-6). Lizalyn Boudreau finished third in the 400 (1:02.98). Lucy Riggs was eighth in the 200 (27.77). Lilah Hall placed sixth in the mile (5:46.72) and was eighth in the 800 (2:36.77). The Falcons’ 4×800 relay team was runner-up (10:51.06) and their 4×200 squad came in eighth (1:59.05).

Greely (35 points) came in fifth. Lia Traficonte was runner-up in the triple jump (33-10.5) and finished fourth in the long jump (15-9.5). Abigail Jacobson was fifth in the 200 (27.47) and seventh in the 55 (7.77). Elise Provencher was sixth in the 400 (1:04.80). Lilian Pierce placed seventh in the 200 (27.55). The Rangers’ 4×200 relay team came in third (1:55.56) and the 4×800 squad was fourth (11:12.23).

Yarmouth (15 points) placed 14th. Emma Butsch was third in the shot put (32-8.75). Abby Noble was fifth in the 55 (7.71). Taylor Oranellas was seventh in the 400 (1:05.85). The Clippers’ 4×200 relay team finished sixth (1:57.99).

The New England championship meet is Saturday in Boston.

Swimming

Greely’s girls tallied 269 points and finished third at last week’s Class B state meet at Colby College in Waterville (Cape Elizabeth won with 356 points). Audrey Cohen, who will swim next year at the University of Alabama, won the 100 breaststroke in 1 minutes, 3.53 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 55.74 seconds and was named the performer of the meet.

“I was focusing on my own race and not anybody else’s, but I knew if I went out strong and my turns were good, I’d have a good shot,” Cohen said.

Abby Hollis was third in the 100 backstroke (1:01.44) and fifth in the 100 free (56.44). Kate Hankinson placed fourth in the 50 freestyle (25.55) and sixth in the 100 free (56.52). Emma Cyr finished fifth in the 200 free (2:08.67) and fifth in the 500 free (5:51.23). Emma Richard finished fifth in the backstroke (1:03.93) and eighth in the 100 free (58.19). Jordan Young was seventh in the 500 free (5:59.01). The Rangers were runners-up in both the 200 medley (Richard, Cohen, Hollis and Hankinson, 1:51.28) and 400 free (Cohen, Hollis, Richard and Hankinson, 3:42.26) relays and placed eighth in the 200 free relay (Sabine Sites, Hunter Maxham, Young and Cyr, 1:53.86).

Yarmouth (137 points) came in seventh. Daisey Brewer was fourth in the 200 free (2:07.18) and seventh in the 100 fly (1:04.73). Sierra Hunt was eighth in the 50 free (26.8). Sarah Dressel placed eighth in the 100 backstroke (1:06.58). The Clippers’ 200 free relay team (Brewer, Kate Tenhoor, Aaliyah Miller and Hunt) was fifth (1:49.24). The 400 free relay squad (Brewer, Robyn Felmly, Dressel and Hunt) finished seventh (4:08.44). The medley relay team (Dressel, Poloma Kitchens, Miller and Tenhoor) placed eighth (2:05.73).

Freeport (44 points) was 14th.

Cape Elizabeth also won the Class B boys’ title with 355 points. Greely (281) was third. Asa Giffune won the 500 free (5:05.63) and finished third in the 200 free (1:50.93). Matt Desmond was runner-up in both the 100 free (48.78) and the 200 free (1:46.34). Tommy Leggat-Barr placed third in the 200 individual medley (2:10.11) and third in the 100 backstroke (56.53). Ike Barr finished third in the breaststroke (1:02.58) and was fifth in the IM (2:11.18). Brady Hale was fourth in the IM (2:10.35) and seventh in the 100 backstroke (1:01.08). Hayden Petrie was seventh in the 100 breaststroke (1;07.53). The Rangers’ 200 free relay team (Giffune, Ben Poor, Barr and Mason Rodgers) was runner up to Mt. Desert Island in 1:37.59. The 400 free relay squad (Hale, Leggat-Barr, Giffune and Desmond) came in third (3:26.44). Greely’s medley relay team (Leggat-Barr, Barr, Hale and Desmond) was fourth (1:42.93).

Yarmouth (84 points) came in ninth. Matt Dressel was eighth in the IM (2:20.55). The Clippers’ 400 relay team (Gabriel Merrill, Josh Webber, Dressel and Adam Strobel) finished eighth (3:58.61).

Freeport (35 points) placed 13th.

At the Class A girls’ swimming and diving championship meet, held at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Falmouth 103 points was 11th (Camden Hills won with 285 points). The Navigators produced diving champion Jillian James, who was first with 414.70 points.

“My first couple dives, they didn’t really go the way I wanted them to,” James said of her early morning efforts, prior to the arrival of most spectators, who witnessed her final three dives in mid-meet. “I started to pull it together toward the end. Honestly, the big crowd gives me some adrenaline that makes me do better.”

Katrina Waite won the 50 free (25.53) and the 100 free (55.43) and was named Swimmer of the Meet.

“I’ve had a really good season,” Waite said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”

Falmouth’s boys had 69 points and was 12th (Scarborough repeated as champion with 369.5 points). Max Hogenauer was fifth in the 50 free (23.33) and sixth in the 100 free (53.67).

Boys’ hockey

The boys’ hockey playoffs begin this week and will wrap up the winter sports season.

Falmouth won its final 16 games to finish 16-2 and first in the Class A state Heal Points standings. The Navigators closed with a 7-1 win at St. Dom’s. Falmouth will host either No. 8 Lewiston (6-11-1) or No. 9 St. Dom’s (7-11) in the state quarterfinals Saturday. The Navigators swept both teams this year, twice beating the Blue Devils by 6-1 scores and downing the visiting Saints, 6-1, in the teams’ other contest. Falmouth split two prior playoff meetings with Lewiston and is 3-1 all-time versus St. Dom’s.

The South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete co-op team finished 10-8 and fifth in Class A. The squad plays at No. 4 Scarborough (11-7), the reigning champion, in the state quarterfinals Friday night. The teams split this year, each prevailing on the road, with the Red Storm winning in overtime (4-3) and South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport coming out on top (2-0). Scarborough won last year’s semifinal round meeting in double-overtime (5-4).

Cheverus/Yarmouth wound up 10-6-2 and third in the Class B South Heal Points standings after closing with a 4-1 loss at Cape Elizabeth last week. Cheverus/Yarmouth hosts No. 6 Gorham (8-9-1) in the quarterfinals Wednesday (see our website for game story). Cheverus/Yarmouth won both regular season meetings, 1-0 at home and 4-2 on the road. If victorious, Cheverus/Yarmouth will go to No. 2 Cape Elizabeth (16-2) for the semifinals Saturday. In addition to the loss in the regular season finale, Cheverus/Yarmouth was beaten at home by the Capers, 6-1.

Greely finished 2-16 and eighth in Class B South (only six teams qualified for the postseason). The Rangers closed with a 6-0 loss at Leavitt and missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2016.

Looking ahead, the Class B South Final and the Class A state semifinals are Tuesday of next week at the Cross Insurance Arena. The Class A and B state games are Saturday, March 12 at the same location.

Portland Press Herald staff writers Steve Craig, Glenn Jordan and Travis Lazarczyk contributed to this story. 

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.

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