The Summer and Marissa Award

The Summer and Marissa Award is given annually to the top female duo in the state

 

Summer: I was being sarcastic.

Marissa: So was I.

Summer: Which we never were before Cohen showed up and introduced us to irony.

 

 

And the winner is….

 

Samantha Cox and Mary Szatkowski Bonny Eagle

Samantha Cox and Mary Szatkowski were the two biggest components in leading Bonny Eagle to the Class A state title. While Cox had already established herself as one of the top runners in the state, it was Szatkowski’s emergence this fall that led them to the promised-land. They both placed in the top ten at the Festival of Champions to lead their team to a runner up finish. Samantha Cox assumed the number one spot that day as she placed fourth running a time of 18:59.38 while Szatkowski placed seventh running a time of 19:07.46. At the state meet, it was Mary’s time to shine as she placed fourth running a time of 19:09.76 while Cox was sixth running 19:16.15. With Samantha Cox graduating next spring, look for Mary to assume the leadership role for Bonny Eagle and make a serious run at the Class A title.

 

2. Shannon Conley and Kiera Murray Cheverus

3. Kirstin Sandrueter and Eva Bates Greely

4. Charlotte Pierce and Katie LeBlanc Thornton Academy

5. Kylee Parker and Elizabeth Labun Hampden Academy

Week 8 Power Rankings: Girls Teams

1.      Bonny Eagle

Previous: 2

Meet: WMR

Place: 1^st Class A

Bonny Eagle outdistanced themselves from Massabesic as their trio of Mary Szatkowski, Samantha Cox and Kristen Glennie all placed in the top ten on Saturday. They look like the early favorite to win the Class A title on Saturday.

2.      Camden Hills

Previous: 3

Meet: EMR

Place: 1^st Class B

Camden Hills took home the Class B EMR title behind Brittany Bowman’s third place finish, and great runs from Emily Lopez and Hannah Brownawell. The Windjammers are one of the hand-full of favorites to win the Class B title on Saturday.

3.      MDI

Previous: 1

Meet: EMR

Place: 3^rd Class B

MDI was without front runner Maggie Painter as they placed third in Class B. Waylon Henggeler and Olivia Erickson assumed top duties for them as they placed 8^th and 9^th respectively. With Maggie Painter back in the picture, MDI should be considered the slight favorite to win the Class B title.

4.      Massabesic

Previous: 6

Meet: WMR

Place: 2^nd Class A

Massabesic was the runner up in Class A as they were paced by Jocelyn Acheson who placed fifth running a time of 20:11.21. They placed four runners in the top 15 overall. Look for them to challenge for the title on Saturday.

5.      Falmouth

Previous: 7

Meet: WMR

Place: 1^st Class B

Falmouth took home their first regional title on Saturday as they were led by Vishva Nalamalapu and Geneva White as they placed 6^th and 7^th respectively. Look for the Yachtsmen to make a run at a top three finish on Saturday.

6.      Cheverus

Previous: 4

Meet: WMR

Place: 3^rd Class A

Cheverus placed third in Class A west on Saturday as they were led by Shannon Conley’s third place finish. Look for Cheverus to contend for a top three finish on Saturday.

7.      Mt. Ararat

Previous: 5

Meet: EMR

Place: 2^nd

Mt. Ararat nabbed the runner up spot at the Class A EMR as they were led by their duo of Kelly Lynch and Olivia Swan as they placed sixth and seventh respectively. Look for Mt. Ararat to contend for a top three finish on Saturday.

8.      Hampden

Previous: UR

Meet: EMR

Place: 1^st Class A

Hampden was the surprise of the day as they took home the Class A EMR title behind great races from Kylee Parker and Elizabeth Labun as they placed third and fourth respectively. Look for them to contend for a top five finish on Saturday.

9.      Brunswick

Previous: 10

Meet: EMR

Place: 3^rd Class A

Brunswick placed third at the Class A EMR behind Tesssa Cassidy’s runner up finish. Teresa Murphy also had a great race as she placed fifth. Look for Brunswick to contend for a top five finish on Saturday.

10. Waterville

Previous: 10

Meet: EMR

Place: 2^nd Class B

Waterville placed second at the Class B EMR behind another victory from Bethanie Brown. They also had big runs from Tiana Thomas and Erica Jenson as they placed tenth and 14^th respectively.

 

Team of the Week: Hampden Academy

 

Teams Knocking: Greely, Caribou, Mt. Blue, Yarmouth, Freeport, Maranacook, South Portland, Merriconeag

Week 7 Power Rankings: Girls Individuals

1.      MDI

Previous: 1

Meet: PVC Championships

Place: 1^st

MDI took home the PVC Championships by placing five runners in the top ten overall. Maggie Painter led the way for them as she placed second running a fantastic time of 19:07.78. MDI should win easily at the Eastern Regional Championships this Saturday.

2.      Bonny Eagle

Previous: 2

Meet: at Gorham

Place: 1^ST

Bonny Eagle looked very impressive in their win at Gorham as four of their girls broke the 20 minute barrier on the 5k course. Samantha Cox led the way for them as she cruised to a great time of 18:42. Bonny Eagle is the slight favorite heading towards the Western Regional Championships this Saturday.

3.      Camden Hills

Previous: 3

Meet: KVAC Championships

Place: 1^st

Camden Hills showed why they are one of the heavy favorites to take home the Class B title on Saturday as they placed four runners in the top fourteen. The Windjammers face a tough test on Saturday when the face off against MDI.

4.      Cheverus

Previous: 4

Meet: at Deering

Place: 1^st

The Lady Stags cruised to a victory at Deering without Kiera Murray. Shannon Conley was the individual winner as she clocked a fine time of 18:57. Cheverus will face off against Bonny Eagle at the Western Regional Championships on Saturday.

5.      Mt. Ararat

Previous: 7

Meet: KVAC Championships

Place: 1st in Class A 3^rd overall

Mt. Ararat seems to be peaking at the right time as they were the top Class A team at the KVAC Championships behind the duo of Olivia Swan and Kelly Lynch. They placed 11^th and 12^th in the combined results. Mt. Ararat looks like the favorite heading towards the Eastern Regionals this weekend.

6.      Massabesic

Previous: 5

Meet: at Sanford

Place: 1^st

Massabesic cruised to an easy victory at Sanford as Jocelyn Acheson led the way for them as she placed first running a time of 20:22. Look for Massabesic to challenge Cheverus and Bonny Eagle for the win on Saturday.

7.      Falmouth

Previous: 9

Meet: WMC Championships

Place: 1^st in combined results 2^nd in Div. 1

Falmouth was without number one runner Madeline Roberts as they were the top overall team the WMC Championships. Falmouth has the slight advantage over Greely heading towards the Western Maine Regionals on Saturday.

8.      Greely

Previous: 6

Meet: WMC Championships

Place: 2^nd in combined results 1^st in Div. 1

Greely was first in Division One at the WMC Championships as their duo of Kirstin Sandrueter and Eva Bates took the top two spots respectively. The Rangers will have their hands full this weekend when the face off against Falmouth again.

9.      Waterville

Previous: 8

Meet: KVAC Championships

Place: 2^nd in Class B 2^nd Overall

Waterville is peaking at the right time as Bethanie Brown notched another win under her belt running a time of 18:59. Look for Waterville to challenge Camden Hills on Saturday.

10. Brunswick

Previous: UR

Meet: KVAC Championships

Place: 2^nd in Class A 4^th Overall

Brunswick placed second in Class A at the KVAC Championships as they were led by their freshmen duo of Tessa Cassidy and Tiffany Turner. Look for Brunswick to challenge for the top spot at the EMRC this Saturday.

 

Team of the Week: Camden Hills

 

Teams Knocking: Yarmouth, Maranacook, Hampden, Freeport, John

Week 6 Power Rankings: Girls Teams

1. MDI
   Last Week: 1
   Meet: Hancock County Championships
   Place: 1^st
   MDI took home the Hancock County Championships by placing four runners in the top five overall. Maggie Painter led the way for them as she placed second running a time of 18:40. MDI should cruise at the PVC Championships.
2. Bonny Eagle
   Last Week: 2
   Meet: at Marshwood
   Place: 1st
   Bonny Eagle looked dominant in their win at Marshwood as they were led by Samantha Cox who placed first running a time of 20:29. Look for them to cruise at Gorham on Friday.
3. Camden Hills
   Last Week: 3
   Meet: Camden Hills Invitational
   Place: 1^st
   Camden Hills made winning look easy on their home course as they were led by Brittany Bowman who took home the victory running 19:44. Look for the Windjammers to take home the KVAC Championships on Saturday.
4. Cheverus
   Last Week: 4
   Meet: at Scarborough
   Place: 1^st
   Cheverus took home the victory without Kiera Murray as they were led by Shannon Conley who placed second overall. Look for the Stags to win at Deering on Friday.
5. Massabesic
   Last Week: 5
   Meet: Home
   Place: 1^st
   Massabesic cruised on their home course as they were led by Jocelyn Acheson who placed first running a time of 20:29. Look for Massabesic to win easily at Sanford on Friday.
6. Greely
   Last Week: 6
   Meet: Home
   Place: 1^st
   Greely dispatched their top rivals on their home course as they were led by Kirstin Sandrueter who placed first. The Rangers are the favorite to win the WMC Championships on Friday.
7. Mt. Ararat
   Last Week: 9
   Meet: Mt. Blue Relays
   Place: 1^st
   Mt. Ararat won the Mt. Blue Relays as they were led by Kelly Lynch who placed second overall. Look for Mt. Ararat to contend for the win at the KVAC Championships.
8. Waterville
   Last Week: 7
   Meet: Mt. Blue Relays
   Place: 2^nd
   Waterville placed second at the Mt. Blue Relays as they were without Bethanie Brown. Look for Waterville to contend for a top three finish at the KVAC Championships.
9. Falmouth
   Last Week: 8
   Meet: at Greely
   Place: 3^rd
   Falmouth placed third at Greely as they were without number one runner Madeline Roberts. Look for the Yachstmen to contend for the win at the WMC Championships.
10. Yarmouth
    Last Week: 10
    Meet: at Greely
    Place: 2^nd
    Yarmouth placed second at Greely behind Caitlin Teare who placed third overall. Look for Yarmouth to contend for a top three finish at the WMC Championships.

Team of the Week: MDI

Teams Knocking: Mt. Blue, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Maranacook, Hampden, Thornton Academy, Merriconeag

Week 5 Power Rankings: Girls Teams

1.      MDI

Last Week: 1

Meet: FOC

Place: 1^st

MDI overcame strong challenges from Bonny Eagle and Camden Hills to take the title at the Festival of Champions. Maggie Painter led the way for them as she placed 8th running a time of 19:19.05. Expect them to cruise at the Hancock County Championships this Friday.

2.      Bonny Eagle

Last Week: 3

Meet: FOC

Place: 2^nd

Bonny Eagle placed second at Festival of Champions behind their dynamic duo of Samantha Cox and Mary Szatkowski as the placed fourth and seventh respectively. Look for them to win easily when they head to Biddeford on Friday.

3.      Camden Hills

Last Week: 2

Meet: FOC

Place: 3^rd

The Windjammers were only six points away from being runner up as they were lead by Brittany Bowman who placed fifth running a time of 19:03.83. Look for Camden to win on their home course this week at their hometown Invitational.

4.      Cheverus

Last Week: 6

Meet: FOC

Place: 4^th

The Stags placed fourth at FOC behind their strong duo of Kiera Murray and Shannon Conley as they placed 11th and 17th respectively. Look for Cheverus to win easily at Scarborough on Friday.

5.      Massabesic

Last Week: 4

Meet: FOC

Place: 6^th

Massabesic placed sixth at FOC with Jocelyn Acheson leading the way as she placed tenth running a time of 19:27.68. Look for Massabesic to win handily at Westbrook this week.

6.      Greely

Last Week: 5
Meet: DNC

Place: N/A

The Rangers were off this week, but that shouldn't affect their ranking for the time being.Greely will face off against top foes Falmouth and Yarmouth on their home course this Friday.

7.      Waterville

Last Week: UR

Meet: FOC

Place: 5^th

Waterville surprised some people with their fifth place showing at FOC. Bethanie Brown led the charge for them as she placed first and set the meet record. Look for Waterville to contend for the win at the Mt. Blue Relays this Friday.

8.      Falmouth

Last Week: 8

Meet: FOC

Place: 8^th

The Yachtsmen placed 8th at FOC as they were led by Madeline Roberts who placed 27th overall running a time of 20:11.63. Look for Falmouth to challenge rivals Greely and Yarmouth at Twinbrook's this Friday.

9.       Mt. Ararat

Last Week: 7

Meet: at Morse

Place: 1^st

Mt. Ararat placed first in a three team meet at Morse as they were led by Kelly Lynch who covered the 2 mile course in 12:29.13. Look for them to contend for the win at the Mt. Blue Relays this Friday.

10. Yarmouth

Last Week: UR

Meet: FOC

Place: 9^th

Yarmouth placed ninth at FOC as they were led by Sarah Becker who placed 37th running a time of 20:31.22. Look for Yarmouth to challenge Falmouth and Greely at Twinbrook's this Friday.

 

 

Team of the Week: Waterville

 

 

Teams Knocking on the Door: Mt. Ararat, Mt. Blue, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Maranacook, Hampden, Thornton Academy, Merriconeag

Week 1 Power Rankings: Girls Teams

 

1. MDI

Top Returners: Isabel Erickson, Olivia Erickson, Nora Hubbell, Caroline Driscoll, Maggie Painter

Last Year’s Finish: 1^st Class B

Last year’s Class B state champs look poised to defend their title this year as they bring back their entire top five. Nora Hubbell was the top finisher for them last fall as she placed 9^th overall. Their tight pack makes them the favorite this year.

2. Massabesic

Top Returners: Jocelyn Acheson, Gabby Johnson, Marie Harrington

Last Year’s Finish: 3^rd Class A

Massabesic brings back two of the top runners in the SMAA in Acheson and Johnson which makes them the early favorite in Class A. These two should contend for top ten finished in Belfast. With a strong duo up front, and a reliable 3-5 group, Massabesic should be in great position.

3. Camden Hills

Top Returners: Brittany Bowman, Willow Parker, Emily Lopez

Last Year’s Finish: 2^nd Class B

The duo of Bowman and Parker make Camden Hills one of the favorites in Class B this fall. Both of these talented runners have legitimate title hopes. If Camden Hills hopes to contend with MDI their 3-5 runners will have to bring on a bigger role this year.

4. Greely

Top Returners: Kirstin Sandrueter, Eva Bates, Emily Mason, Jordan Ouellette

Last Year’s Finish: 5^th Class B

The Rangers will be led by junior Kirstin Sandrueter who is looking for her first individual state title. Expect Sandrueter to take the WMC by storm this fall. This isn’t just a one woman show for Greely. Sophomore Eva Bates looks poised to have an outstanding year. She placed tenth in Class B last year, and should contend for a top five finish this year.

5. Bonny Eagle

Top Returners: Samantha Cox, Mary Szatowski, Kristen Glennie

Last Year's Finish:  8th Class A

Bonny Eagle showed why they will be one of the favorites in Class A this year as they cruised to a dominating victory at the SMAA relays. Samantha Cox led the way for them as she placed second running a time of 9:58.

6. Cheverus

Top Returners: Shannon Conley, Kiera Murray, Georgia Caso

Last Year’s Finish: 1^st Class A

This is an unfamiliar spot for the Stags as for once they won’t be the favorite to defend their title. That doesn’t mean they won’t be competitive though. The bring back two of the states finest runners in Conley and Murray. Both of these girls should contend for top five finishes at Belfast. Their 3-5 will have to take a big step this year if they hope to defend their title.

7. Mt. Ararat

Top Returners: Kelly Lynch, Olivia Swan, Lauren McNett

Last Year’s Finish: 2^nd Class A

Lynch, Swan, and McNett form arguably the best trio in the state which makes them the favorite in the KVAC. Mt. Ararat has placed second in Class A for the past two years, and if they hope to improve upon their placing, their four and five runners will have to take on bigger roles.

8. Brunswick

Top Returners: Teresa Murphy, Madsy Schneider, Brooke Escoe

Last Year’s Finish: 4^th Class A

Brunswick brings back three runners from their top five which makes them one of the favorites in the KVAC. Teresa Murphy will lead the charge for the Dragons. She placed 8^th at the state meet last year and should contend for a top five finish.

9. Caribou

Top Returners: Mackenzie Belyea, Nerissa Larrabee, Robyn Larrabee

Last Year’s Finish: 3^rd Class B

Belyea and company will look to lead Caribou top a podium finish this year. Belyea had a fantastic season last fall as we saw her place seventh overall. With her leading the charge and the Larrabee sisters close behind look for Caribou to be one of the favorites in Eastern Maine this year.

10. Falmouth

Top Returners: Madeline Roberts, Abby Payson, Molly Ryan

Last Year’s Finish: 11^th Class B

Last year’s state meet finish wasn’t indicative of the type of season Falmouth had. Falmouth was the runner up at the Western Maine Regional with Madeline Roberts leading the charge. They key for the Yachtsmen will be their 3-5 runners. If they breakout this fall, watch out. They could challenge Greely in the WMC.

 

Teams Knocking on the door: Cape Elizabeth, York, Windham, Mt. Blue, Lawrence

Girls XC Individual Rankings: 5. Shannon Conley Cheverus

SB: 19:08.93
Place at Regionals: 3rd 19:53.55 Class A West
Place at States: 6th 19:59.55 Class A

Conley had an outstanding Sophomore season last fall as we saw her emerge as one of the top runners in the state. She was a key catalyst to a Cheverus team that won the Class A state title. Conley has proven herself as a big time racer. Her breakout race of the season came at the Western Maine Regional Championship where she placed third in Class A running a spectacular time of 19:53.55. The following week, at the State meet, Conley placed sixth overall in Class A running a time of 19:59.55. Her time that day was the ninth fastest time of all classes. With Emily Durgin and Fiona Hendry gone next fall, it will be Conley's time to shine for Cheverus as she looks to make a run for a state title.

Girls XC Individual Rankings: 7. Kiera Murray Cheverus

SB: 19:27
Place at Regionals: 4th 20:07.08 Class A West
Place at States: 5th 19:56.02 Class A

Kiera Murray was one of the most improved runners in the state of Maine this year as we saw her bring her talents to a completely higher level last fall. She usually switched off with Shannon Conley as the fourth runner for a Cheverus team that won the Class A state Championship with relative ease. Murray's break out race came at the Western Maine Regional Championships where she placed fourth overall running a great time of 20:07.08. Murray might have been Cheverus's most dependable runner this year. With Emily Durgin battling an ailment, Murray's performance become more vital for the Stags to contend for a a fourth straight title. The adversity didn't faze Murray as she continued to run great races towards the end of the season. At the New England Championship's, Murray placed 38th running a personal best time of 19:27. Look for Murray to contend for the Class A title next year, and make a run at a top fifteen finish at the New England Championships.