Class B Girls Distance Preview: Brown Eyeing Legendary Status

Rain is expected to fall in Mount Desert Island on Saturday, but that shouldn't slow down Waterville junior Bethanie Brown. She's had a season for the ages this spring and will look to add to her already impressive resume. While Brown will be the favorite in the distance races, the competition after her will be exciting to watch.

800

        The 800 will be one of most compelling races in Class B on Saturday with the two top seeds having both run under 2:20. Junior Bethanie Brown of Waterville will be the overwhelming favorite to take the 800. She set the KVAC meet record last Saturday running a blistering time of 2:18.51. Don't expect her to go unchallenged though. Sophomore Aleta Looker has had an outstanding spring season thus far. She ran 2:18.38 at the PVC Large School Championships last week. Melissa Blackstone's record time of 2:17.83 will certainly be in jeopardy with these two fabulous runners battling in out. The race for third will be one to watch as well as there are a number of girls who are worthy of stepping up to the challenge. Look for Kirstin Sandrueter of Greely, Kelsey Maxim of Old Town, and Isabel Erickson of MDI to battle for the third spot.

Prediction

1. Bethanie Brown Waterville
2. Aleta Looker Ellsworth
3. Kirstin Sandrueter Greely
4. Kelsey Maxim Old Town
5. Isabel Erickson MDI

1600

        Brown will, yet again, be the overwhelming favorite to take the 1600 on Saturday. The question is how fast will she run. Brown ran 4:53 at the KVAC Championships last Saturday en route to completing the difficult distance triple. The record time of 5:01.10 set by Melissa Blackstone back in 2001 should be enough for Brown. She has broken the five minute barrier multiple times this season. While Brown is the odds on favorite, the race for second should be exciting to watch. Greely sophomore Kirstin Sandrueter has had a fantastic spring season thus far. Last weekend at the WMC Champsionships Sandrueter won the 1600 running a blazing time of 5:11.31. Also watch for Brittany Bowman of Camden Hills. She placed third in the 1600 at the KVAC Championships running a time of 5:23.05. Don't count out Aleta Looker of Ellsworth. She has run under 5:20 this spring and she will be hoping to pick up some hardware on Saturday. Other runners to watch for will be Abby Hersom of Oceanside, Heather Evans of York, and Catherine Hebson of Falmouth.

Prediction

1. Bethanie Brown Waterville
2. Kirstin Sandrueter Greely
3. Aleta Looker Ellsworth
4. Brittany Bowman Camden Hills
5. Heather Evans York

3200

      Should we just give her the trophy? Brown is once again the favorite to take the 3200 having already run 10:32.9 this spring. The question is will she have enough stamina to beak the record of 10:39 set by Cassie Hintz after running the 800 and 1600. Don't expect Brown to go unchallenged though. Kirstin Sandrueter ran 10:55 at the Loucks Games earlier this month. She should be able to push Brown. Also look out for Brittany Bowman of Camden Hills. As a freshman last year Bowman placed fourth running a time of 11:42. Expect her to compete for a high finish as well. Other runners who will contend for a top five finish will be Willow Parker of Camden Hiils, Abby Hersom of Oceanside, Catherine Hebson of Falmouth, and Maggie Painter of MDI.

Prediction

1. Bethanie Brown Waterville
2. Kirstin Sandrueter Greely
3. Brittany Bowman Camden Hills
4. Willow Parker Camden Hills
5. Abby Hersom Oceanside

Girls XC Individual Rankings: 6. Willow Parker Camden Hills

SB: 18:59.43
Place at Regionals: 3rd 20:09.81 Class B East
Place at States: 5th 20:18.45 Class B

Parker quickly established herself as the top Freshmen in the state this year, as we saw her shine this past fall. She took everybody by surprise when she placed second at a meet in Winslow where she ran an incredibly fast time of 18:59.43. For her efforts, she placed second overall behind Erzsebet Nagy of Lawrence. At the Festival of Champions, Parker opted to pull out of the Freshmen race to see what she was capable of against the top runners in the state. It turned out to be a great decision, as she placed 8th overall running a time of 20:06.15. She continued to progress as the postseason rolled around. At the Class B Eastern Maine Regionals, Parker placed third running a time of 20:09.81. The following at the State meet in Cumberland, Parker helped lead her Camden Hills team to a state title as she placed fifth overall. At the New England Championships, Parker put herself in elite company as she achieved All New England status as a Freshmen. Look for Parker to contend for a state title in Class B next year.

The Summer and Marissa Award

The Summer and Marissa Award is given to the best female duo in the state of Maine.

And the winner is......

Brittany Bowman SO and Willow Parker FR Camden Hills

Brittany Bowman and Willow Parker led Camden Hills to a runner up finish at the Class B state meet this year with Bowman taking the individual title and Parker placing fifth. Both of these girls had tremendous years. Bowman really stepped up to the challenge in the post season as she nabbed the runner up spot at the Eastern B Regional title in Belfast. Parker was the number one runner for the Windjammers for most of the year. She was the most dominant Freshman in the state this year as evidence to her 12^th place finish at the Festival of Champions.These two will be back again next year, with Bowman being the top returner in the state, so expect them to try and lead the Windjammers to the promised land next year.

2. Abbey Leonardi and Laura Broderick Kennebunk

3. Adrienne Carmack and Mary Carmack John Bapst

4. Hannah Damron and Talia McKay Windham

5. Carsyn Koch and Carmen Bragg Washburn

The Erin Hannon Award

The Erin Hannon Award

The Erin Hannon Award is given to the top Freshman girl in the state

and the winner is.....

Willow Parker Camden Hills

SB: 18:59.43

Parker had an outstanding Freshman campaign topped off with a 23^rd place finish at the New England Championships this past Saturday as she achieved All-New England status. Parker placed 8^th at the Festival of Champions running a time of 20:06.15 as she led her team to a runner up finish. A few weeks later she placed third at the KVAC Championships running a time of 20:42.20. Parker came up big when it counted as she placed fifth at the Class B state meet running a time of 20:18.45. Her time was the 12^th fastest time of all classes. Look for Parker to continue her dominance of the KVAC throughout her career.

2. Gabrielle Johnson Massabesic

   SB: 19:40

3. Kristina Smith Poland

   SB: 20:26.69

4. Eva Bates Greely

   SB: 20:19

5. Caroline Driscoll MDI

   SB: 20:36.11