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

Candidates For The Trya Collette Award

The Tyra Collette Award is given anually to to the runner who has shown the most improvement over the course of the running year. The award is named after Friday Night Lights character Tyra Collette who went from being a townie with no college aspirations to becoming a strong independent women striving to do whatever it took to get into college.

Previous Winners
2011: Laura Broderick Kennebunk

Favorites

Jillian McCallister Lawrence
McCallister is already off to a hot start this year as she took home a win at the Laliberte Invitational last weekend covering the 2.4 mile course in 16:12.07. The sophomore had an amazing outdoor season as she excelled in the 800 running 2:25. Look for McCallister to be one of the favorites in the KVAC this fall.

Molly Schassberger Winslow
The senior from Winslow will look to become one of the top runners in Class B this year. Schassberger placed 32nd at the state meet last year and should only improve from that. If her outdoor times are any indication we should be seeing Schassberger right at the top in many races this fall.

Katherine Gunther Mt. Blue
Gunther had an excellent freshmen season last fall as we saw her place 31st at the Class A state meet. The sophomore should only improve upon her placement this year as she will be one of the many favorites in the KVAC this year.

Bronte Elias Madison
The sophomore placed 6th in Class C last year running a time of 21:25. Look for her to bring her talents to another level this spring and be one of the favorites to take the Class C title.