Boys XC Preseason Power Rankings

TEAM

1. Scarborough
Next Meet: SMAA Relays
The defending class A champions return three of their top five runners with top returnee, and 2010 individual champion, Nick Morris, leading the charge. Robby Hall and Wout Moulin round out the Red Storm’s top three which gives them one of the best triple threats in the state. Scarborough looks like the overwhelming favorite going into the fall.

2. Falmouth
Next Meet: Home vs. NYA, Lake Region, York
Falmouth returns four of their top five returners from last year’s runner up squad, which makes the Yachtsmen the early favorite in class B. Leading the way for Falmouth will be Senior Tim Follo. He placed second at last year’s state meet. Look for him to help carry Falmouth to the promise land.

3. Greely
Next Meet: Home vs. Fryeburg, Merriconeag, Traip, Wells
Right on Falmouth’s heels will be the Greely Rangers. Stefan Sandrueter is their top returner; he placed tenth at the state meet last year. If Greely hopes to take down Falmouth runners like, Nathan Maderia, and Issac Emery will have to step up to the challenge.

4. Caribou
Next Meet: Ellsworth Invitational
The loss to Christian Sleeper hurts the Vikings, but they still return four runners from last year’s state championship team. Caleb Chapman will lead the way for Caribou this year. Expect him to have a big year if Caribou wants to repeat.

5. NYA
Next Meet: at Falmouth
NYA has one of the better 1, 2 combinations in the state in Cam Regan and Evan Kendall which is why they are, yet again, the favorites to defend their class C title.

6. York
Next Meet: at Falmouth
York’s top returner this fall will be Mitch Finitz. He had a breakout year last year as we saw him place seventh at the class B state meet. If York hopes to keep up with the big dogs of the WMC then Alec Jordan, Nick Eaton, and Josh Brooks will all have to have big years.

7. South Portland
Next Meet: SMAA Relays
South Portland looked very impressive at the Laliberte Invitational on Saturday winning in convincing fashion behind Thomas Salamones fifth place finish overall. Look for South Portland to make a charge towards a top three finish at the state meet this year.

8. Wayneflete
Next Meet: at Poland
Wayneflete has one of the more impressive triple threats in the state this year which consists of Abshir Horor, Abukar Adan, and Josh Espy. Look for Wayneflete to give NYA a run for their money this fall.

9. Ellsworth
Next Meet: Ellsworth Invitational
Super Soph Dan Curts will lead the charge for Ellsworth this year. He had a spectacular freshmen campaign as we saw him place third at the class B state meet. If Ellsworth hopes to keep up with Caribou in the east, then runners such as Blake Pattengale and Stephen Kirby will have to step up to the challenge.

10. Kennebunk
Next Meet: SMAA Relays
Kennebunk’s top returner this year will be Chris Dunn. He had a breakout year last fall as we saw him place 16th at the class A state meet. Cameron Weiwel and Robert Ekland will both have to have great seasons if Kennebunk hopes for a top three finish this year.




INDIVIDUAL


1. Silas Eastman Fryeburg
Eastman will be gunning for his second state title in a row this fall as he looks to further improve upon his times. Eastman’s time of 16:02.44 last year was the second fastest of all classes. Look for Eastman to not only win the state meet, but to make a strong push for a top ten finish at the New England Championships.

2. Matt McClintock Madison
McClintock really broke through this past year as we saw him post the fastest time of all classes last year at the state meet (16:00.91). Matt has already showed incredible fitness this summer as evidence to his impressive race at Beach to Beacon where he ran 32:15. Look for him to continue to dominate class C once again, and make a strong push for a top ten finish at the New England Championships.

3. Harlow Ladd Messalonskee
An injury during last year’s state meet caused Ladd to run in much pain throughout the race. Despite the pain he still managed to place seventh overall in class A. He had a spectacular outdoor track season as we saw him run 4:27.75 and 9:53.55 at the state meet this past spring. Expect Ladd to bring his talents to another level this fall.

4. Chase Brown Boothbay
Brown had an excellent season last fall topped off by a second place finish at the class C state championships running a time of 16:14.97. Look for Brown to battle Matt McClintock for top dog in class C this year.

5. Tim Follo Falmouth
Follo continued to improve last fall as we saw him place second at the class B state meet running a time of 16:21.30. Look for him to try and close the gap between himself and Silas Eastman this fall.

6. Dan Curts Ellsworth
Curts had an incredible freshmen campaign last fall as we saw him place third at the class B state meet running a time of 16:28.60. With a year of high school training under his belt, look for Curts to bring his talents to another level this fall.

7. Nick Morris Scarborough
The defending class A champion will look to lead his team to another state title this year. Morris’ time of 16:25.15 was the fifth fastest time of all classes. Expect Morris to challenge Ladd for the title in class A this year.

8. Andy Reifman-Packett Mt Ararat
Reifman-Packett placed second at the Laiberte Invitational on Saturday behind Harlow Ladd running a time of 14:09. He is destined for a great season this fall so expect him to challenge Ladd and Morris for the top spot in class A.

9. Joseph Holt-Andrews Telstar
Holt-Andrews had a stellar freshmen campaign last fall as we saw him place third at the class C state meet running a time of 16:33.04. Look for Holt-Andrews to make some noise in class C this year.

10. Jack Pierce Merriconeag
Pierce placed fourth at the class C state meet last fall running a time of 16:45.27. Look for Pierce to close the gap between himself and the other top dogs of class C