It should be another exciting cross country season in Maine. With that outstanding senior class gone, we will see who steps up, and who chokes. Silas Eastman of Fryeburg looks to be the top returner of all classes while Falmouth, Scarborough and Gorham look to contend for the top team in the state. Here are the pre season top 10 teams state wide:
1. Falmouth
Last Years Finish: 3rd Class B
Depth is the reason why Falmouth takes the first spot on this list. They return five of their top seven runners including junior stud Tim Follo who will lead the way for the Yachtsmen. Impact runners for Falmouth will be senior John lake, junior Connor McGrory, junior Thomas Edmonds, and junior Henry Briggs. With that strong nucleus and Follo leading the way, Falmouth looks like the early favorite in class B.
2. Scarborough
Last Years Finish: Runner up Class A
Scarborough looks like the early favorite in class A with top returnee Nick Morris leading the way. Sophomore Robby Hall looks to have a strong year as he will likely be the number two runner for the Red Storm. Other impact runners who will likely step up for the Red Storm include Zach Brown, Tom Hague, and Ethan Law. With that impressive group of runners Scarborough looks like the preseason favorite for class A.
3. Gorham
Last Years Finish: 4th Class A
They have the best 1,2 combo in the state in Logan Marshall and Jeremy Earl which is why Gorham gets the fourth spot. Andy Turner, Alex Thuotte, and Joe Deroy round out their top five as they look to begin their quest for a title. With some luck, Gorham could be holding some hard ware come November.
4. Massabesic
Last Years Finish: 3rd Class A
Massabesic looks to continue their recent success as they bring back their top two returners in Jacob Brooks and Peter Lepage. Zachary Cost, Nate Harris, and Cody Vachon round out their top five which stews together a strong nucleus of runners. This talented group of runners could very well bring Massabesic to a top three finish in class A.
5.Greely
Last Years Finish: Class B Champions
With Mark McCauley and Logan Price gone, the Rangers have a big hole to fill luckily they have Sam Johnston who will likely be the number one runner for Greely while Connor Regan and Stefan Sandrueter will battle for the two spot. James Curry and Issak Emery will round out the top five for Greely as they look to contend with Falmouth for the top spot in class B.
6. Cape Elizabeth
Last Years Finish: 4th Class B
The Capers will have a very talented top three in Reid Douty, Tom Bottomley, and Leo Ledman. Other runners who will have to make an impact are Sean Thomas, Paul Trantina, and Bobby Yokaboskas. With that core of runners, the capers could very well make a strong run towards a top three finish in class B.
7. Fryeburg
Last Years Finish: 9th Class B
They return the top runner in the state in Silas Eastman. Their top five consists of Silas'brother, Seth, Ryan Ahearn, Logan Gerchman, and Chris Solter. A lot of people wonder if Fyeburg will be able to handle the top teams in the WMC, but with there solid 2-5 guys and Silas Eastman, you have to think that Fryeburg could be a top five team in class B.
8. Brunswick
Last Years Finish: 5th Class A
With Will Geoghegan and Liam Cassidy gone, Brunswick's chances of winning a class A title seem pretty slim. But it doesn't mean they can't get a top five finish. George Mills will be there top returner, as Benson Worthington and Patrick Horan will battle for the two. Along with Jamie Ross, and Matt Schwab, Brunswick could very well get a top five finish in class A.
9. York
Last Years Finish: Runner up Class B
York will ovviously miss Alex Moser, as they look for another runner to fill that number one spot. Silas Freeman is there top returner, and Nick Eaton and Josh brooks will have to step up as well if the Wildcats want to contend for a top spot in class B.
10. Freeport
Last Years Finish: Runner up Class C
Freeport looks like the early favorite in class C with Griffin Day leading the way. Other impact runners for Freeport will be Wade Bennett, Max Jennings, and Taylor Saucier. They will all have to step up if they want to win the class C title.
Predicted Winners
Class A: Scarborough
Individual: Jack Terwilliger Cheverus
Class B: Falmouth
Individual: Silas Eastman Fryeburg
Class C: Freeport
Individual: Matt McClintock Madison
Individual Power Rankings
1. Silas Eastman Fryeburg SO
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:20.82
Silas was the runner up to York's Alex Moser at the class B state meet last year running a time of 16:21 He had a stellar outdoor season running a 4:30 mile at the state meet placing him 5th. Look for him to continue his success this year as he looks like the early favorite to win the individual title in class B this year.
2 Jack Terwilliger Cheverus SR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:42.00
This will be the year that Terwilliger puts it all together. He had a phenomonal spring running 4:15.60 and 9:27.75 at the state meet followed up with an impressive win in the emerging elite race in the 3200 at the New Balance Nationals. The real question is whether Terwilliger can get through the season without any injuries or illnesses.
3 Gabe Stewart John Bapst JR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:27.00
Stewart had a breakout year last year as we saw hime place eight at the Festival of Champions running a time of 16:27. He continued to improve over the winter and spring, so don't be suprised if Stewart challenges Eastman at the state meet this year.
4 Tim Follo Falmouth JR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:44.00
Follo placed 6th at the state meet last year running a time of 16:58.95 which was good enough to qualify for the New England Championships. He had a great outdoor season as well. He placed 6th in the mile at the state meet running a time of 4:32.78 which was good enough to earn a spot at the New England Championships. Look for him to be a top three runner at the state meet.
5 Matt McClintock Madison JR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:28.30
Matt McClintock won the class C state meet last year with a time of 16:54 which was also good enough to earn him a spot at the New England Champions where he suprised a lot of people as he was the 10th Mainer to cross the finish line that day placing 46th with a time of 17:19. He continued to imporve in the spring as he lowered his mile and two mile times, and he looks like a lock to repeat this year in class C.
6 Logan Marshall Gorham SR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:39.50
Marshall placed 11th at the class A state meet last year with a time of 16:55 just ahead of his teammate Jeremy Earl. His time that day was good for the 17th fastest time of all classes. He had a very strong outdoor season as he repeatedly broke ten minutes in the two mile and he has a good chance to finish in the top three at the state meet this year.
7 Nick Morris Scarborough JR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:48.00
They say the best thing about sophomores is that they turn into juniors. This looks like the case for Scarborough's Nick Morris. He had a very solid season last fall as he was there number two runner behind Nate Hathaway, and he should continue to lower his times this year after a very solid spring season. He looks like a lock for a top five finish this year.
8 Jeremy Earl Gorham SR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:49.50
Earl placed 12th at the state meet right behind his teammate Logan Marshall which earned him a spot at the New England Championships. He had a very good outdoor season this year, and he looks ready to continue his success this fall. A top five finish is very reachable for him.
9 Chase Brown Boothbay JR
Fastest Time Last Year: 16:52.00
Brown was the runner up in class C last fall as he put together a very strong season. He has been nothing but consistent so far during his high school career as he has always been a top 15 runner. He looks like a lock for a second place finish in class C.
10 Sam Johnston Greely SR
Fasest Time Last Year: 16:52.01
Sam Johnston will be the number one runner for Greely as they look to repeat as state champions. He was over shawdowed last year due to running behind Mark McCauley and Logan Price, but look for him to have a breakout year this fall, as he looks like a sure bet for a top ten finish in class B.
Runners Knocking On the Door: Faisal Noor Edward Litte, Abshir Horor Wayneflete, Charlie Jones North Haven, Will Shaffer GNG, Will Lundquist Cony, Hussein Inbrahim Lewiston, Omar Abdi Edward Litte, Peter LePage Massabesic
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