The Top 3

3. Eric Giddings South Portland 2001-2005

Prs: 1600:4:10.98 800:1:57.06 3200:9:00.70 5k: 15:43.4
Giddings was a phenomonal runner at South Portland. As a sophomore he won the 2002 class A state meet running an impressive time of 16:07 on the hilly Augusta course. His time was good for 2nd of all classes that day behind Greely's Ben True. A few weeks later at the New England Championships he placed fourth with a time of 15:45.40. He was also the second Maine runner to cross the line that day, again behind Ben True. He defended his state title the following year running a time of 16:24.4 easily defeating second place finisher Sam Fletcher of Edward Little by 15 seconds. A few weeks later at the New England Championships he placed fourth once again running a time of 15:43.4. He was also the second Maine finisher that day. He didn't compete at states or New Englands his senior year due to injury. He continued to improve on the track as well. As a sophomore he outkicked Deering's Donny Drake to win the 1600 at the state championship running a time 4:24.98. He later went on to win the 3200 running a time of 10:01.16. The following year he placed second behind Ayalew Taye in the 1600 running 4:27.20. A few hours later he ran passed Scarborugh's Tim Waterhouse winning the 3200 in 9:46.82. At the New England Championship's a few weeks later, he placed 5th in the 3200 running a fast time of 9:23.96. As a senior, he was the runner up in the 1600 running a time of 4:22.90. He later posted a new state record in the 3200 running a time of 9:24.26. His times continued to drop outsided as well. As a sophomore he posted the fastest time of all classes in the 1600 at the state meet with a time of 4:17.50. The following year, as a junior, Giddings won the 3200 easily winning by 11 seconds running a time of 9:33.29. As a senior he was a part of the single greatest race in Maine history as he came in third in the 1600 running a huge personal record of 4:10.98. It was the first time that Maine has ever seen three runners under 4:11 in the 1600. A few weeks later he set the meet record in the 3200 at the New Englands outkicking Sintayehu Taye 9:00.70 to 9:01.68. He went on to Stanford University where he continued to improve.

2. Ayalew Taye Portland

Prs: 1600:4:10.00 800:1:56.27 5k:15:21
Ayalew Taye's tenure at Portland was short lived, but his accomplishments were nothing short of spectacular. As a sophomore, he placed fourth at the 2003 class A xc state meet running a time of 16:44.8. A few weeks later at the New England Championships he earned All New England status by placing 16th with a time of 16:16.1, and he was also the fifth maine runner to cross the finish line that day. The following year he was the individual state champion running a time of 15:39.60 on the fast Belfast course. A few weeks later at the New England Championships he placed 6th with a time of 16:28 as he was the second Mainer to cross the line. Moving on to indoor, his times continued to improve as he placed first in the 1600 at the state meet running a time of 4:19.27. He then went on to place fourth in the 800 running a time of 2:03.92. At the New England Championships he was the runner up in the 1600 with a time of 4:19.57. The following year as a junior, he defended his 1600 title at the state meet winning with a time of 4:20.65. He later won the 800 with a time of 2:00.20. On the outdoor track, his times continued to lower. As a sophomore, Taye won the 1600 at the state meet with a time of 4:22.11. At the New England Championships, he won the 1600 with a time of 4:16.87. As a junior, he was a part of the greatest mile race in Maine history where he placed second with a time of 4:10.00. He also won the 800 that day, with a time of 1:56.27. He defended his 1600 title at New England's as he ran a time of 4:13.55. Ayalew transferred to Cushing Academy his senior year as he times dropped even lower. He currently attends Georgetown University and he has lowered his mile time to a blistering 4:03.


1. Ben True Greely

Prs: 1600: 4:12.28 800: 1:55.20 3200: 9:19.34 5k: 15:02
True had a remarkable high school running career topped off with a 5th place finish at Footlocker Nationals placing behind the gutsy Matt Withrow, golden boy Galen Rupp, Shadrak Kiptoo and Josh McDougal. He simply dominated Maine during his high school tenure. He won the individual title in cross country three years in a row from 2001 to 2003 along with team championships in 2000, 2001, and 2003. He was the runner up at New England’s his junior and senior year losing to Ahmed Haji. He was 5th in the Footlocker Northeast Regional as a junior qualifying him for the Nationals in San Diego in which he place 9th. He came back his senior year to win the Northeast Regional with relative ease. He never ran indoor because he was an all American Nordic skier. In outdoor, he posted some of the fastest times this state has ever seen. He broke the 3200 in the state meet his junior year running 9:19.34 blowing away the competition. His senior year he posted the fastest time of all classes in the 1600 with a time of 4:17.48 edging out Levi Miller. Later in the day it was déjà vu all over again when he edged out Miller once again in 3200 winning with a time of 9:31.17 despite battling an illness that day. Words can not describe how good True was in high school. After high school he went to Dartmouth University where he broke the 4:00 barrier in the mile his junior year. At the 2009 Beach to Beacon, he was the first Mainer to finish with a blistering time of 29:09 which was good for 10th overall. He was without a doubt the most dominate Maine runner of the past decade.

#4 Sintayehu Taye Portland 2004-2008

4. Sintayehu Taye Portland
Prs: 1600: 4:09.69 800: 3200: 9:01.68 5k: 15:29

Even though his time in Maine was short lived, Portland High's Sintayehu Taye deserves the fourth spot on this list for his incredible performances on the track . We were all blessed to see those epic races between his brother and South Portland's Eric Giddings. As a freshman, he was the runner up behind his older brother Ayalew, at the 2004 class A xc state meet running a time of 15:50.4. His time that day was was good for the 3rd best of all classes. A few weeks later at the New Englands in Wickham Park, 7th with a time of 16:33 as we was the 3rd Maine runner to cross the finish line. He then raced at the North East Foot Locker regionals placing in the top 30. He acheived National attention on the track in addition to his success in cross country. At the 2005 class A indoor state meet he placed 3rd in the mile with a time of 4:34.14. A few hours later he achieved what no other freshmen in the history of Maine has ever done by breaking 9:30 in the two mile running a time of 9:29.31. He was the runner up in that race behind Eric Giddings. Taye found even more success running outside as he was a part of the greatest race that Maine has ever seen by setting the state record in the 1600 running an unreal time of 4:09.69, which still stands as the National Freshmen record. He was followed by his brother Ayalew (4:10.00) and Eric Giddings (4:10.98) as it was the first time in Maine history where three runners ran under 4:11 in the same race. He then followed up his legendary performance with a first place finish in the 3200 running a time of 9:26.89. At the New England championships he had another epic race with Eric Giddings this time running the 3200 where Giddings edged Taye 9:00.70 to 9:01.68. Although it was his last race as a maine high schooler, he continued to have great success at Cushing Academy in Mass as he was the runner up at the 2005 Foot Locker North East Regional behind his brother with a time of 15:29. At the Nationals in San Diego he placed 23rd with a time of 15:43. He continued to lower his time at Cushing, and he is currently attending the University of Virginia.

#5 Levi Miller Belfast 2001-2005

Prs: 1600:4:16.38 800:1:57.80 3200: 9:12.54 5k: 15:35.98

When it comes to pure talent Miller is one of the top guys of the decade. That's why he is in the spot at #5. What he did in his high school career was absolutely phenomenal. As a sophomore he was the runner up at the 2002 Class B State Meet running a time of 16:26 which was good for the 3rd fastest time of all classes that day. A few weeks later at the New England Championships in Portland, Maine he placed 7th with a time of 15:53.24 as he was the 3rd Maine runner to cross the finish line that day. As a junior, he was yet again the runner up at the state meet. This time he ran on his home course where he posted a time of 16:12 which was good for the 2nd fastest time of all classes. At the New England Championships in Manchester, NH he placed 9th with a time of 15:59. The following year he finally prevailed as the individual champion at 2005 state meet as he used his home course to his advantage and blew away the field running a very impressive time of 15:42. At the New England's that year he placed 2nd behind Cory Thorne of Portsmouth NH running a time of 16:15. At the Foot Locker Regionals a few weeks later he placed 17th coming up short of qualifying for the Nationals in San Diego. He just as good, if not, better success on the track as well. At the 2004 Class B indoor state meet he won the 3200 running an impressive time of 9:45.96 as no one was even close to him. He saw his times drop even more in Outdoor. As a sophomore he was the runner up in the 3200 at the 2003 State Meet running a fast time of 9:34.34. The following year as a junior he placed 2nd in the 1600 and 3200 running 4:18.77 and 9:33.60 respectively. In those two races he pushed Greely sensation Ben True to the edge as Miller really had an astounding performance. At the New England Championships that year he placed 4th in the 3200 as he ran an absurd time of 9:12.53 as he was the first Mainer to cross the line in that event. As a senior he simply dominated the competition. He set the Class B 1600 record with a time of 4:16.38 as he blew away the field, and then he took the 3200 Championship running 9:32.50. Unfortunately Miller couldn't accept his award that day as he let Falmouth legend Sam Bonsey do his part by accepting the medal. At the New England Championships he dropped out of the 3200 due to is dehydration. Miller went on the Georgetown Univeristy as he saw his mile time dip close to the four minute barrier. He is truly an amazing person, and he is one of the best looking guys I have ever seen.

#6 Will Geoghegan Brunswick 2006-2010

#6 Will Geoghegan Brunswick
Prs: 1600: 4:14.69 800: 1:56.14 3200: 9:18.74 5k: 15:33.00

Will Geoghegan has been the most dominant runner in the state these past two years. What he has done in his highschool career has been nothing short of execptional. As a junior, he won the class A indivicual title in 2008 as he battled Scarborough's Nate Hathaway stride by stride as Geoghegan edged him at the line 16:16.40 to 16:16.66. This past fall, he had another epic battle with Nate Hathaway at the state meet with the same result. This time it was at Twinbrooks in Cumblerland as Geoghegan finished with the fastest time of all classes (15:43.37). At the New England Championships a week later, he finished 3rd with a time of 16:13. He was the first Mainer to cross the finish line that day as they were very well represented by putting five runners in the Top 25. At the Foot Locker regionals in Sunken Meadows park, Geoghegan was looking to become the first Maine runner since the Taye brothers to make Foot Locker Nationals. He came oh so close by finishing 11th, and capping off a season to remember for him. He had great success on the track as well. As a sophomore, he finished 3rd in the two mile at the state meet behind Riley Masters, and Mohamed Noor running a time of 10:07.37. The following year as junior, he took 3rd in the mile behind Luke Fontaine, and Nate Hathaway running a time of 4:36.97. He then took the crown in the two mile posting a time of 9:52.49. As a senior he pulled off one of the greatest triples maine has ever seen by winning the 1600 (4:19.94) 800 (1:57.92) and the 3200 (9:36.50). At the New England Championship meet, he won the 1600 with an absurd time of 4:14.94. So far this srping he has dominated. In fact, last week at the KVAC championship meet he pulled of another ridiculous triple again. He cruised in the 1600 running a new high school pr of 4:14.69, he later posted a new 800 pr by running 1:56.14, and then he outkicked his teammate Liam Caissidy as he finished with a time of 9:29.71. I can't wait to see what kind of times this kid will run at he state meet and New Englands, and I am sure that he will have a great career at Dartmouth.

Steve Dewitt Ellsworth 1998-2002

Steve Dewitt Ellsworth
Prs: 1600: 4:16 800: 1:56 3200:9:30?

Dewitt had a great high school career as he won the 2000 class B xc state meet as a junior posting a time of 16:01.20 on the legendary Augusta course. The following year he was the runner up at the state meet this time behind Greely legend Ben True running a time of 16:21.36 which was good for the 3rd fastest time of all classes that day. A few weeks later at the New England Championships he placed 13th in a very comepetitive field posting a time of 15:42. With that time, he was the 3rd Maine boy to cross the finish line that day. He had equally if not better sucess on the track as well. As a sophomore he pulled off one of the greatest triples that Maine has ever seen winning the 1600, 800 and 3200 against the big boys. I am not quite sure of the times that day, but I have heard rumors that his 1600 time was around 4:18 and 3200 was around 9:37. As a senior, he was the runner up in the 1600 at the New England cahmpionships. Dewitt went on to Stanford University where he continued to have great success.

#8 Brandon Bonsey Falmouth 2000-2004

Brandon Bonsey Falmouth 2000-2004

Prs: 1600: 4:17.43 800: 1:57.55 3200: 9:27 5k: 16:01.2

Bonsey had a ridiculous running career at Falmouth. He once held every school record from the 400 to the 2 mile. He is truly an amazing talent. As a sophomore he placed 5th at 2001 class B state meet running a time of 16:47.50 on a very tough Augusta course behind Greely legend Ben true, Ellsworth sensation Steven Dewitt, and Bonsey's teammates Kirby and Blake Davis. The following year he placed 3rd at the state meet behind, once again Ben True, and Belfast's Levi Miller. His time of 16:35 that day was good for 6th in all classes combined. A few weeks later he achieved All New England status by placing 13th at the New Englands in Portland, Maine. With his time of 16:01.02 he was the 4th Mainer to cross the finish line that day as Maine was very well represented that day as the placed five runners in the top 25. As a senior, Brandon saw his times drop as he clocked a time of 16:15 at the 2003 xc class B state meet on a very muddy and slick Belfast course which is truly remarkable considering the conditions. If the conditions had been up to par, we could have seen the top three runners break 16 minutes for the first time in a while. He again placed 3rd behind Ben and Levi. A few weeks later he placed 12th at the New England's, this time at Manchester where he ran a time of 16:09.5. Maine, again, was very well represented as they put five in the top 25. He had better success on the track as we was a multiple individual champion in indoor. As a junior he won the 1600 at the state meet with a time of 4:25.96. Then 45 minutes later, he broke the 800 meter record previously held by Brendan O'Keefe as he blew away the field running an absurd time of 1:57.82. The following year he defended his 1600 and 800 championships by running 4:27.45 and 1:58.94 respectively. At the New Englands, he placed 3rd in the 1000 with a time of 2:33.64. His times dropped even more in outdoor. As a junior he completed a remarkable double, first by setting the class C 1600 record of 4:18.51 in which he won the race by fifteen seconds! And then he won the 800 by five seconds posting a time of 1:58.14. The following year at the WMC's he pushed Ben True to the edge as True eventually won the 1600. Bonsey posted a new 1600 pr as he ran 4:17.43 that race. An ankle injury at the state meet caused him to run in much pain in the 1600 as he couldn't keep up with his top foes. A lot of people still believe that if Brandon had been healthy that race, he would have the class B 1600 meter record right now.

#9 Jeff Alden Caribou 1998-2002

9. Jeff Alden Caribou
Prs: 1600: 4:16 800: 1:56 5k: 16:33
Jeff Alden went out in style his senior year by breaking the class B 1600 meter record running a blistering time of 4:17.12 in 2002. He also managed to win the 1600 at the New England championships that year as well. His 1600 record was broken three years later by Belfast sensation Levi Miller. Alden had great success in cross country. As a sophomore, he placed 10th at the 1999 state meet running a respectable time of 17:04. the following year he was the runner up at the state championships in Augusta behind Ellsworth's Steven Dewitt clocking in at 16:33.9. A few weeks later at the New England's in Vermont, he achieved All New England status by placing 12th with a time of 17:03 as he was the 3rd Mainer to cross the finish line that day behind Jeff Gaudette and Pat Tarpy. Alden had a successful running career at Colby College. As a senior he clocked in a 9:13.46 3000 meter run and he posted a time of 4:11.07 in the 1500.

I hope you enjoyed it!
I will post number 8 on Thursday.
See ya then!

#10 Jeff Gaudette Biddeford

10. Jeff Gaudette Biddeford 1996-2000

Prs: 3200: 9:24 5k: 16:11 1600: ? 800: ?

Jeff Guadette won the 2000 class A xc state meet posting an xc pr of 16:11.2 out running the likes of Edward Little's Jared Kuvaja and Morse's Aaron Norton. He excelled on the trails as he finished 11th at the 1999 state meet as a junior running 16:47. As a senior he finished 8th at the New England xc championships posting a time of 16:49. He was also the 1st Maine runner to cross the finish line ahead of Yarmouth's Pat Tarpy, and Caribou's Jeff Alden. He also had some success on the track as well. He ran a personal record in the 3200 as a senior running 9:24. He was also an individual state champion on the track. He went on to attend Brown University as he focused on the 5000. He lowered his 5000 time to 14:05.41 as a senior, and in the 10k his personal record was 28:47 and his 1500 time was 3:46. He had a great high school career and I hope he continues to succeed in local road races.

#11 Nate Hathaway Scarborough 2006-2010

Nate Hathaway Scarborough

Prs: 1600: 4:16.95 800: 2:00.22 3200: 9:36.00 5k: 15:44.90
Hathaway is one of the three runners on this list that haven't finished their high school careers. What he has done so far in his high school career has been nothing short of spectacular. At the 2008 Class A xc state meet at Belfast he pushed Brunswick superstar Will Geoghegan to the limit as Geoghegan edged Hathaway by .26 seconds. (16:14.40 to 16:14.66) This past fall he had another epic battle with Geoghegan ending with the same result on a much more difficult Twinbrook Course. Geoghegan finished in 15:43 while Hathaway was three seconds back in 15:46. His time of 15:46 currently ranks as the 4th fastest time ever run on that course behind the likes of Donald Cabral, Will Geoghegan, and Greely legend Ben True. He truly had a remarkable year in cross country along with a 3rd place finish at the Festival of Champions behind, yet again, Will Geoghegan, and Mt. Blues Kelton Cullenberg. His time of 15:44.90 that day currently ranks as the 6th fastest time on the legendary Belfast course. He finished 5th at New Englands last fall posting a time of 16:19 on a day where the conditions were very slick. The Maine boys were very well represented that day as they had five guys place in the top 25. He also had very good success on the track as well. As a junior at the indoor state meet he was the runner up in the 1600 running a time of 4:27.59. He had a great outdoor season last year as his times continually dropped. At the outdoor state meet he was the runner up once again to Luke Fontaine in th 1600 this time running 4:26.34. A few weeks later he posted a huge pr in the 1600 at the New England championshps running 4:16.95 as he was the first Maine runner to cross the finish line in the event. He has continued to improve over the years, and I can not wait to see what kind of times he will run this spring.

#12 Miles Bartlett

12. Miles Bartlett Lake Region 2002-2006

Prs: 1600: 4:20.16 3200: 9:47.58 5k: 15:52

Miles had a very impressive career topped off with a win at the 2005 xc Class B state meet posting a time of 16:33.82. The year before he pushed Belfast legend Levi Miller to the limit with a 2nd place finish posting a great time of 15:52 which ranks as the 10th fastest time on the Belfast course. He also found great success in indoor track. As a junior he was the runner up in the mile running a time of 4:27.75 just .29 seconds behind Greely's Casey Diehl. A couple hours later he took home the 2 mile championship with another great battle between him and Casey Diehl. Bartlett won the race with a time of 9:50.37. the following year, he successfully defended his mile championship lowering his time to 4:25.43. He was 2nd to his teammate Kevin Floster in the 800 posting a time of 2:03.77, and then he gutted out a win in the 2 mile running 10:00.75. He did just as well in outdoor track too. He was the runner up to Levi Miller in the mile and 2 mile his junior year running 4:22.65 and 9:50.61 respectively. That year he came in 5th in the 1600 at New Englands posting a new high school pr of 4:20.16. Then as a senior in the pouring rain at MDI he won a very nice double in the mile and 2 mile with times of 4:23.36 and 9:47.58 respectively. He currently attends UMaine and has enjoyed great success including a blistering 800 time of 1:52. He has also been able to throw gems for parties.

I'm sorry for the long hiatus I will be posting number 11 tomorrow. 'Till next time.

Peace

#13 Pat Tarpy Yarmouth

13. Pat Tarpy Yarmouth
Prs: 1600: 4:20 3200: 9:25

Tarpy had a very successful high school career topped of with a 9th place finish at the xc New Englands in 2000 earning him a spot on the All New England team that year. He excelled in track as well. He ran a 3200 pr of 9:25 at the indoor New Englands and was a part of the elite runners who ran sub 4:20 in this decade. He has had a very successful running career outside of high school. At Brown, he lowered his 1600 time to 4:04.50 and also ran 1:54.78 in the 800. He also shattered the 4 minute barrier at the down hill New England mile running 3:54.

#14 Mark McCauley Greely 2006-2010

14. Mark McCauley Greely
Prs: 1600: 4:20.92 800: 1:54.51 5k: 16:19.22 3200: 9:40.51

McCauley is not done with his high school career, but he is still worthy of being on this list. He really came out strong his junior year in cross country as he was a part of the "big three" which included James Lepage and Logan Price. He didn't run in the fall for the first two years of high school. He was Greely's first finisher at the 2008 state meet finishing 3rd with time of 16:19.22. This past year he finished 3rd at the state meet once again this time at his home course with a time of 16:27.18. He found tremendous success in indoor and outdoor track. He finished 3rd at states in 800 as a freshmen with a time of 2:06.13. The following year he was 3rd again behind Tim Even and Ethan Shaw with a time of 2:02.63. He really blossomed his junior year by dominating the field at the class B state meet in the 800 winning with a time of 1:58.63. He saw his times drop even more in outdoor winning the state meet with a time of 1:56.09 and then finishing 5th at New England’s running a blistering time of 1:55.83. He looks like a lock for a top 3 finish at New Englands in the 1000 this year. Look for him to continue his dominance this Winter and Spring.

#15 Sam Fletcher Edward Little

Sam Fletcher Edward Little
Prs: 1600: 4:22 800: 1:55 1000:2:32.37

Sam Fletcher had a great high school career topped off with a 1st place finish at the 2004 Indoor New England Championships in the 1000 with a time of 2:32.37. That year he won the 800 at the class A indoor state meet running a blistering 1:56.25 smashing the previous record of 1:58.15 which was held by Donny Drake of Deering. In 2004 outdoor class A state meet he outkicked Deerings Brian Vail in the 800 posting a fast time of 1:57.58. Later that day he was the runner up to Portlands Ayalew Taye in the 1600 running a time of 4:23.49. A few weeks later he ran at the New Englands placing 16th in the 1600 running 4:34.35. He success in cross country as well. As a junior he placed 4th at the state meet running 16:44 and as a senior he was the runner up to the great Eric Giddings of South Portland running 16:39. At New Englands as a junior he placed 69th running 16:49. He had a great career and this is why he deserves the number 15 spot on this list.

Coming next week: Runner number 14 on Maines Best Runners of the Decade

Peace

Top 15 Maine High School Runners of the Past Decade

Hey sorry it's been a while I've been busy (not really I have watched the first three seasons of Friday Night Lights this past month including Christmas break). These next couple of weeks I will be posting the top 15 Maine runners of the decade. I will start from 15 to 1. Remember this is purely opinion based, but feel free to comment and give me suggestions. So I hope you enjoy these next couple of weeks as I count down the 15 best runners of the decade in Maine!!

Peace