#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.