The Alex Russo Award

The Alex Russo Award is given annually to the top female runner in the state

 

Why is that so important to you? What about living, having fun, doing stuff you tell stories about? Like this, this is going to be a great story to tell.

 

Previous Winners:

2011: Abbey Leonardi Kennebunk

 

And the winner is…

 

Bethanie Brown Waterville

This wasn’t a very hard decision. Bethanie Brown simply dominated every race she ran in this year. It was no surprise to see her burst on to the national scene after we saw her break multiple records on the track. Her highlight of the season came at the Festival of Champions where she ran a time of 17:56.69 setting a meet record despite muddy conditions. She lowered her personal best at Belfast by less than half a second at the state meet running a time of 17:56.32. Her time would have placed her 29^th in the boys race and would have been a scorer on every team besides Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth. She had a rare off race at the New England Championships, but look for her to rebound at the Footlocker Northeast Regional where a top ten finish, and a trip to Nationals, could very well be in store for her.

 

2. Erzsebet Nagy Lawrence 1^st in Class A SB: 18:50.27

3. Kirstin Sandrueter Greely 2^nd Class B SB: 19:01.19

4. Brittany Bowman Camden Hills 3^rd Class B SB:  19:03.83

5. Carsyn Koch Washburn 1^st Class C SB: 19:06.60

Week 9 Power Rankings: Girls Individuals

 

1.      Bethanie Brown Waterville

 

Previous: 1

Meet: States

Place: 1^st Class B

Time: 17:56.32

Brown captured her first xc title as she cruised to a time of 17:56.32. Her time was only eight seconds off the course record. Brown should be considered the favorite to win the New England Championships.

2.      Erzsebet Nagy Lawrence

Previous: 2

Meet: states

Place: 1^st Class A

Time: 18:50.87

Nagy won the Class A title as she clocked a brilliant time of 18:50.87. Her time was the second fastest of all classes. Look for Nagy to contend for a top ten finish at New Englands.

3.      Kirstin Sandrueter Greely

 

Previous: 6

Meet: States

Place: 2^nd Class B

Time: 19:01.19

Sandrueter was the runner up in Class B as she ran to a time of 19:01.19. Look for Sandrueter to contend for a top ten finish at New England’s.

4.      Nyajock Pan South Portland

Previous: 7

Meet: States

Place: 2^nd Class A

Time: 19:01.89

Pan got hot at the right time of the year as she nabbed the runner up spot in Class A running a time of 19:01. Look for Pan to contend for a top fifteen finish at New England's

5.      Brittany Bowman Camden Hills

Previous: 3

Meet: states

Place: 3^rd Class B

Time: 19:19.18

Bowman placed third in Class B as she ran to an impressive time of 19:19.18. Her low spot helped secure a runner up finish for Camden Hills as well. Look for Bowman to contend for a top fifteen finish at New England’s.

6.      Shannon Conley Cheverus

Previous: 8

Meet: States

Place: 5^th Class A

Time: 19:10.77

Conley placed fifth in Class A running a time of 19:10.77. Look for her to contend for a top 20 finish at the New England Championships.

7.      Aleta Looker Ellsworth

Previous: 3

Meet: States

Place: 9^{th Class B}

Time: 19:58.44

Looker placed ninth in Class B running a time of 19:58.44. With her fully healthy at New England’s look for her to contend for a top fifteen finish.

8.      Jocelyn Acheson Massabesic

Previous: UR

Meet: States

Place: 3^{rd Class A}

Time: 19:04.58

Acheson had a very strong race on Saturday as she placed third running a time of 19:04.58. Look for her to contend for a top 25 finish at New England’s.

9.      Carsyn Koch Washburn

Previous: UR

Meet: States

Place: 1^st Class C

Time: 19:30.56

Koch made it three-for-three on Saturday as she took home the Class C championship once again. Her time of 19:30.56 was the 11^th fastest of all classes. Look for her to contend for a top 25 finish at New England’s.

10. Kiera Murray

Previous: 8

Meet: States

Place: 7th Class A

Time: 19:26.51

Murray placed seventh in Class A running a fast time of 19:26.51. Look for Murray to contend for a top 25 finish at New England’s.

 

Runner of the Week: Bethanie Brown Waterville

 

Runners Knocking: Eva Bates Greely, Lily Koffman Orono, Samantha Cox Bonny Eagle, Mary Szatkowski Bonny Eagle, Kiera Murray Cheverus, Charlotte Pierce Thornton Academy

Week 8 Power Rankings: Girls Individuals

 

1.         Bethanie Brown Waterville

Previous: 1

Meet: EMR

Place: 1st Class B

Time: 18:46.11

Brown just continues to obliterate the competition every time she laces up her spikes. She cruised to a time of 18:46.11. If the weather is up to par, look for Brown to chase down the course record of 17:48.

2.         Erzsebet Nagy Lawrence

Previous: 2

Meet: EMR

Place: 1st Class A

Time: 20:10.33

Nagy has been dominant since she returned from her injury and Saturday was no different as she ran to a time of 20:10.33. She is the favorite to win her first Class A title on Saturday.

3.         Aleta Looker Ellsworth

Previous: 3

Meet: EMR

Place: 2^nd Class B

Time: 20:14.21

Looker placed second to Bethanie Brown at the Class B EMR running a time of 20:14.21. Her time was the third fastest of all classes. She looks like a lock to secure the runner up spot in Class B on Saturday.

4.          Brittany Bowman Camden Hills

Previous: 5

Meet: EMR

Place: 3^rd Class B

Time: 20:34.43

Bowman placed third at the Class B EMR running a time of 20:34.43. Look for Bowman to contend for a top three finish on Saturday.

5.         Maggie Painter MDI

Previous: 4

Meet: EMR

Place: DNC

Time: N/A

Painter didn’t race on Saturday, but that shouldn’t affect her ranking for the time being. Look for Painter to contend for a top three finish in Class B on Saturday.

6.          Kirstin Sandrueter Greely

Previous: 8

Meet: WMR

Place: 1^st Class B

Time: 19:57.60

Sandrueter cruised to a dominating victory at the Class B WMR as she ran a time of 19:57.60. Look for Sandrueter to contend for a top five finish this Saturday.

7.          Nyajock Pan South Portland

Previous: UR

Meet: WMR

Place: 1^st Class A

Time: 19:52.15

Pan came out victorious at the Class A WMR as she ran to a great time of 19:52.15. Look for her to contend for a top five finish in Class A on Saturday.

8.         Shannon Conley Cheverus

Previous: 9

Meet: WMR

Place: 3^rd Class A

Time: 20:07.14

Conley placed third in Class A at the WMR as she ran to a time of 20:07.14. Look for Conley to contend for a top five finish on Saturday.

9.         Charlotte Pierce Thornton Academy

Previous: 6

Meet: WMR

Place: 7^th

Time: 20:35.16

Pierce had an off race on Saturday as she placed seventh running a time of 20:35.16. Look for her to rebound this weekend and contend for a top five finish.

10.     Samantha Cox Bonny Eagle

Previous: 7

Meet: WMR

Place: 6ht Class A

Time: 20:27.23

Cox placed sixth in Class A at the WMR running a time of 20:27.23. Look for Cox to contend for a top ten finish this weekend.

 

Runner of the Week: Nyajock Pan South Portland

 

Runners Knocking: Katie LeBlanc Thornton Academy, Kiera Murray Cheverus, Lily Koffman Orono, Carloine Colan Maranacook, Eva Bates Greely, Kristina Smith Poland, Heather Evans York,  Abby Hersom Oceanside

Week 7 Power Rankings: Girls Individuals

1.      Bethanie Brown Waterville

Previous: 1

Meet: KVAC Championships

Place: 1^st

Time: 18:59

Brown keeps cruising along as she took home another victory this time at the KVAC Championships. Look for her to win easily at the EMRC on Saturday.

2.      Erzsebet Nagy Lawrence

 

Previous: 2

Meet: KVAC Championships

Place: 2^nd

Time: 19:27

Nagy continues her fine season as she placed second at the KVAC Championships running a great time of 19:27. She is the heavy favorite to win the Class A EMRC title on Saturday.

3.      Aleta Looker Ellsworth

Previous: 3

Meet: PVC Championships

Place: 1^st

Time: 19:06.34

Looker shook off a huge challenge from Maggie Painter as won the PVC Championship running a time of 19:06.34. She will be gunning for Bethanie Brown in the Class B race at the EMRC this Saturday.

4.      Maggie Painter MDI

Previous: 8

Meet: PVC Championships

Place: 2^nd

Time: 19:07.78

Painter has been inching closer and closer to Aleta Looker meet by meet. Will she finally get the best of her this weekend? I can’t wait to see what happens on Saturday. Painter might not get the star appeal that the top three runners get, but she certainly has to be mentioned as one of the top girls in the state.

5.      Brittany Bowman Camden Hills

Previous: 5

Meet: KVAC Championships

Place: 3^rd

Time: 20:06.6

Bowman turned in another fine performance as she placed third at the KVAC Championships running a time of 20:06.6. She will be gunning for a top spot in the Class B EMRC race in what will be a star studded field.

6.      Charlotte Pierce Thornton Academy

Previous: 6

Meet: Home

Place: 1^st

Time: 19:14

Pierce continues to show she’s the best runner in the SMAA as she cruised to a win on her home course running a time of 19:14. Her time was 1:45 ahead of the runner up. Pierce is the heavy favorite to win the Class A WMRC on Saturday.

7.      Samantha Cox Bonny Eagle

Previous: 6

Meet: at Gorham

Place: 1^st

Time: 18:42

Cox placed first at Gorham running a spectacular time of 18:42. Look for Cox to challenge Charlotte Pierce for the Class A WMR title on Saturday.

8.      Kirstin Sandrueter Greely

Previous: 7

Meet: WMC Championships

Place: 1^st

Time: 19:28

Sandrueter took home her first WMC Championship as she won in dominating fashion running a time of 19:28. She is the heavy favorite to win the Class B WMR title this Saturday.

9.      Shannon Conley Cheverus

Previous: UR

Meet: at Deering

Place: 1^st

Time: 18:57

Conley crushed the competition at Deering as her time of 18:57 was a minute ahead of the runner up. Conley should contend for a top spot at the Class A WMR this Saurday.

10. Lily Koffman Orono

Previous: UR

Meet: PVC Championships

Place: 3^rd

Time: 19:30.07

Koffman has emerged as one of the top sophomores in the state as she placed third at the PVC Championships running a time of 19:30.07. She is the favorite to win the Class C EMR title on Saturday.

 

Runner of the Week: Bethanie Brown Waterville

 

Runners Knocking: Carsyn Koch Washburn, Abby Hersom Oceanside, Jocelyn Acheson Massabesic, Kiera Murray Cheverus, Caroline Colan Maranacook, Olivia Erickson MDI, Mary Szatkowski Bonny Eagle

Week 6 Power Rankings: Girls Individuals

1. Bethanie Brown Waterville
   
   
   
   Last Week: 1
   Meet: Mt. Blue Relays
   Place: DNC
   Time: N/A
   A college visit prohibited Brown from racing at the Mt. Blue Relays last Friday. Look for her to dominate at the KVAC Championships on Saturday.
2. Erzsebet Nagy Lawrence
   
   
   
   Last Week: 2
   Meet: Mt. Blue Relays
   Place: DNC
   Time: N/A
   Nagy opted not to run the Mt. Blue Relays on Friday to rest. Look for her to try and chase down Brown at the KVAC Championships.
3. Aleta Looker Ellsworth
   
   
   
   Last Week: 3
   Meet: Hancock County Championships
   Place: 1^st
   Time: 18:28
   Looker shook off a challenge from Maggie Painter to win the Hancock County Championships running a great time of 18:28. Look for her to win the PVC Championships this Saturday.
4. Brittany Bowman Camden Hills
   Last Week: 5
   Meet: Camden Hills Invite
   Place: 1^st
   Time: 19:44.48
   Bowman took advantage of her home course as she won in dominating fashion running a time of 19:44.48. Look for Bowman to contend for a top finish at the KVAC Championships.
5. Charlotte Pierce Thornton Academy
   Last Week: 6
   Meet: at Scarborough
   Place: 1^st
   Time: 18:59.41
   Pierce ran a great race at Scarborough as she broke 19 minutes on a very tough course. Look for her to win easily on her home course on Friday.
6. Samantha Cox Bonny Eagle
   Last Week: 4
   Meet: at Biddeford
   Place: 1^st
   Time: 20:29
   Cox shook off a challenge from Nyajock Pan as she ran to a fine time of 20:29 at Biddeford. Look for Cox to cruise to another victory at Gorham on Friday.
7. Kirstin Sandrueter Greely
   Last Week: 7
   Meet: Home
   Place: 1^st
   Time: 20:02
   Sandrueter cruised to a victory on her home course running a fine time of 20:02. Expect Sandrueter to win the WMC Championships at St. Joe's on Friday.
8. Maggie Painter MDI
   Last Week: 10
   Meet: Hancock County Championship
   Place: 2^nd
   Time: 18:40
   Painter took second to Aleta Looker at the Hancock County Championships running a time of 18:40. Look for her try to close the gap on Aleta Looker at the PVC Championships.
9. Carsyn Koch Washburn
   Last Week: 8
   Meet: at Houlton
   Place: 1^st
   Time: 18:41 (2.83 M)
   Koch dominated the field at Houlton as she cruised to a time of 18:41. Look for Koch to contend for a top finish at the PVC Championships.
10. Nyajcok Pan South Portland
    Last Week: UR
    Meet: at Biddeford
    Place: 2^nd
    Time: 20:36
    Pan provided a big challenge to Samantha Cox at Biddeford as she took second running a time of 20:36. Look for Pan to challenge for the win at Deering at Friday.

Runner of the Week: Charlotte Pierce Thornton Academy

Runners Knocking: Shannon Conley Cheverus, Kiera Murray Cheverus, Eva Bates Greely, Jocelyn Acheson Massabesic, Mary Szatkowski Bonny Eagle

Week 5 Power Rankings: Girls Individuals

1.      Bethanie Brown Waterville

Last Week: 1

Meet: FOC

Place: 1^st

Time: 17:56.69

Yet another record falls as Brown continues her dominating season as she won the Festival of Champions running a time of 17:56.69. Look for Brown to cruise at the Mt. Blue Relays on Friday.

2.      Erzsebet Nagy Lawrence

Last Week: 2

Meet: FOC

Place: 3^rd

Time: 18:33.67

Nagy proved on Saturday that she is back with a vengeance as she placed third running a time of 18:33.67. Look for Nagy to run a fast time at the Mt. Blue Relays on Friday.

3.      Aleta Looker Ellsworth

Last Week: 3

Meet: FOC

Place: DNF

Time: N/A

Looker failed to finish at FOC but that shouldn’t affect her ranking for the time being. She’s had a spectacular season and look for her to continue to get better as the post season comes around.

4.      Samantha Cox Bonny Eagle

Last Week: 9

Meet: FOC

Place: 4^th

Time: 18:59.38

Cox proved on Saturday that she belongs in the upper echelon of the state as she placed fourth running a time of 18:59.38. Look for Cox to win handily at Biddeford on Friday.

5.      Brittany Bowman Camden Hills

Last Week: 4

Meet: FOC

Place: 5^th

Time: 19:03.83

Bowman placed fifth at FOC running a great time of 19:03.83. Look for Bowman to cruise on her home course this Friday.

6.      Charlotte Pierce  Thornton Academy

Last Week: 5

Meet: at Marshwood

Place: 1^st

Time: 21:16

Pierce has been the most consistent runner in the SMAA this fall. Look for her to continue her success when Thornton heads to Scarborough on Friday.

7.      Kirstin Sandrueter Greely

Last Week: 6

Meet: DNC

Place: DNC

Time: N/A

Sandrueter didn’t compete this week. Look for her to win easily on her home course on Friday as Greely battles top foes Falmouth, Yarmouth and Cape.

8.      Carsyn Koch Washburn

Last Week: UR

Meet: FOC

Place: 6^th

Time: 19:06.60

Koch ran a great race at FOC as she placed sixth running a time of 19:06.60. Look or Koch to continue to progress as the post season rolls along.

9.       Mary Szatkowski Bonny Eagle

Last Week: 8

Meet: FOC

Place: 7th

Time: 19:07.46

Szatkowski proved she belongs with the top girls in the state as she placed seventh at FOC running a time of 19:07.46. Look for Mary to challenge her teammate Samantha Cox at Biddeford on Friday.

10.   Maggie Painter MDI

Last Week: UR

Meet: FOC

Place: 8th

Time: 19:19.05

Painter led MDI to a win at FOC as she placed 8th running a time of 19:19.05. Look for Painter to contend for the win at the Hancock County Championships.

Runner of the Week: Bethanie Brown Waterville

Runners Knocking: Nyajock Pan South Portland, Kiera Murray Cheverus, Shannon Conley Cheverus, Eva Bates Greely, Jocelyn Acheson Massabesic