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

The Tyra Collette Award

The Tyra Collette Award is given annually to the most improved female runner in the state.

Two years ago, I was afraid of wanting anything.

I figured wanting would lead to trying, and trying would lead to failure.

But now I find I can’t stop wanting.

Previous Winners

2011: Laura Broderick Kennebunk

 

 

And the winner is....

 

Tiana Thomas Waterville

Tiana Thomas was a key catalyst in helping Waterville place third at the Class B state championships. Her time of 20:26.36 was good enough for 13^th place in what was one of the strongest individual competitions we have seen in a while. Thomas placed 79^th at the state meet last year which goes to show that her hard work is paying off. Some highlights from her season were: a third place finish at the Mt. Blue Relays (14:00), a 44^th place finish at the Festival of Champions (20:38.67), and a 13^th place finish at the KVAC Championships (21:25.1). Expect Thomas to be in contention for the Class B title next fall.

 

2. Molly Schassberger Winslow SB: 19:50.85

3. Caroline Colan Maranacook SB: 19:31.11

4. Eva Bates Greely SB: 19:23

5. Emily Lopez Camden Hills SB: 20:28

Girls XC Individual Rankings: 1. Bethanie Brown Waterville

SB:18:35
Place at Regionals:1st 18:59.74 Class B East
Place at States:2nd 19:29.70 Class B

Bethanie Brown's first season of cross country certainly did not disappoint. We all knew of her capabilities once we saw her break the 5 minute barrier in the 1600 at the New England Championships in Vermont (4:58.96). She took the KVAC by storm last fall as we saw her post some ridiculous times. Brown had a great race at the Festival of Champions where she placed sixth overall running a time of 19:46.22. She brought her talents to another level once the postseason arrived. She dominated the field at the Class B Eastern Championships as her time of 18:59.74 was over twenty seconds ahead of second place finisher Brittany Bowman. At the state meet, Brown placed second to Bowman running a great time of 19:29.70. The following week at the New England Championships Brown placed fifth overall running a spectacular time of 18:35. Brown has already posted some absurd times on the track this year. Her 2 mile time of 10:48.35 is currently the fastest time in the Country and she has also come close to the 5 minute barrier in the mile (5:01.97). Brown looks like the heavy favorite to take the Class B title, and she may even be the favorite to win the New England Championships this fall.