Boys Class B Distance Preview

Bruce Bickford's two mile record could potentially be in jeopardy tomorrow as Dan Curts of Ellsworth looks to run a fast time.

800

Record: Kevin Floster Lake Region 1:56.12 2005

Will Shafer of Gray New Gloucester is the overwhelming favorite to take the 800 title tomorrow. The switch from basketball to indoor track has paid massive dividens as he comes in with the fastest time of all classes (1:57.76). Shafer should have an outside shot at chasing down Kevin Floster’s record. The only way for him not to is if he decides to hold his energy to run a very fast mile. The race for second should be exciting to watch as well. Ben Trapani of Camden Hills has run 2:02.49 this winter, and should be one of the favorites for the runner up. Don’t count out Robert Looker of Ellsworth. Looker has had a brilliant year of running, and he’s a big time racer. Expect him to be in the mix. Other runners to watch for will be Jared Schrader of Fryeburg, Ralph Magnani of MDI and Will Britton of Cape Elizabeth.

Mile

Record: Louie Luchini Ellsworth 4:19.76 1998

Louie Luchini’s mile record will be in serious jeopardy tomorrow as Will Shafer comes into the meet with the second fastest time in the state running 4:18.22. Shafer has been one of the top milers in New England this winter, and will hope to run a very fast time in order to get into a fast heat at the New England Championships. Last week, Shafer dominated the WMC Championships as he won both the mile and the 2 mile running 4:18 and 9:41 respectively. There should be a duel between Ben Trapani of Camden Hills and Chris Cote of Waterville for the runner up tomorrow. Trapani edged Cote at the KVAC Championships last weekend as he ran 4:32.05 to Cote’s 4:33.65. Cote will be out for revenge, so expect this duel to get heated. Other runners to watch for will be Chandler Vincent of Freeport, Ben Garcia of Gray New Gloucester and TJ Rose of Fryeburg.

2 Mile

Record: Bruce Bickford Lawrence 9:15.5 1975

The two mile will be the deepest event of all the distance races as there are six runners who have run 10:00 or faster. Dan Curts of Ellsworth is the odds on favorite to win tomorrow. He comes in with the fastest time in the state in 9:27.41 which he ran at the EMITL Championship’s last weekend. With the two mile being the focus tomorrow, look for Curts to potentially break Bickford’s long standing record. Curts has a lifetime personal record of 9:19 in the two mile, and with his recent performances Curts looks poised to go after the record. The race for second will be intriguing to watch as a pair of Cape Elizabeth teammates—Liam Simpson and Mitch Morris—will likely run shoulder to shoulder against Ben Decker of Yarmouth. The Cape teammates got the better of Decker last week at the WMC Championships as Simpson and Morris placed second and third respectively. Other runners to watch tomorrow will be Matt Malcom of NYA, Chris Cote of Waterville and Kyle Kennedy of Cape Elizabeth.

Boys Individual Rankings Week 2

1. Dan Curts Ellsworth

Pre: 1 Meet: N/A Place: N/A Time: N/A
Ellsworth was one of the many teams who didn't compete this weekend. That shouldn't effect Curt's ranking for the time being. Look for Curts to run a fast time when Ellsworth competes at Blue Hill on Friday.

2. Josef Holt Telstar

Pre: 2 Meet: at Telstar Place: 1st Time: 16:26
Holt made it look easy as he cruised to a winning time of 16:26 on his home course. He was nearly two minutes ahead of the runner up. Look for Holt to run another fast time this week.

3. Ben Trapani Camden Hills

Pre: 3 Meet: at Belfast Place: 1st Time: 17:10
Trapani had no difficulty taking the win at Belfast as he cruised to a time of 17:10. Look for Trapani to notch another win at Medomak Valley on Friday.

4. Ben Decker Yarmouth
Pre: 4 Meet: at LR Place: 1st Time: 15:16 (2.8m)
Decker was impressive in his xc debut as he took home the victory at Lake Region winning by over twenty seconds. Let's hope he continues to run more races this season. If he runs this week, he will be the favorite to win at Falmouth on Friday.

5. Will Shafer GNG
Pre: 9 Meet: at Sacopee Valley Place: 1st Time: 17:31
Shafer continued his fine season last Friday as he took home his third win of the season running a time of 17:31. Look for him to run a fast time at Lake Region on Friday.

6. Josh Horne Mt. Blue
Pre: 6 Meet: at Lawrence Place: 1st Time: 17:29
Horne cruised past his teammate Aaron Willingham at Lawrence as he ran a solid time of 17:29. He will face a tough challenge when he races against Lewiston's best this Friday.

7. Jonathan Stanhope
Pre: 7 Meet: N/A Place: N/A Time: N/A
Bangor's meet at Waterville was another casualty of the unfortunate weather. Look for Stanhope to run a fast time at MCI on Friday.

8. Braden Becker Yarmouth
Pre: UR Meet: at LR Place: 2nd Time: 15:36 (2.8m)
Becker outkicked Cape's Liam Simpson by two seconds at Lake Region to take second place. Look for Becker to run a fast time at Falmouth on Friday.

9. Liam Simpson Cape Elizabeth
Pre: 8 Meet: at LR Place: 3rd Time: 15:38 (2.8m)
Simpson placed third at Lake Region running a fast time of 15:38. Look for him to go unchallenged at NYA on Friday.

10. Aaron Willingham Mt. Blue
Pre: 5 Meet: at Lawrence Place: 2nd Time: 17:49
Willingham placed second to teammate Josh Horne at Lawrence last Friday as he ran a time of 17:49. He will face off against the talented Lewiston squad this Friday.

Runner of the Week: Josef Holt Telstar

Runners Knocking: Caleb Lord Hampden, Sam Wood Mt. Ararat, Isaiah Harris Mt. Blue, Jesse Southard Gorham, Farhan Abdillahi Lewiston, Colin Tardiff Scarborough, Jacob Terry Scarborough, Ryan Cadorette Thornton, Bryce Murdick Falmouth

Boys XC Individual Rankings: 10. Will Shafer GNG

SB: 17:34.98
Place at Conference Championship: 4th 17:34.98 WMC
Place at Regionals: 26th 18:20.96 Western B
Place at States: 20th 17:53.24 Class B

Shafer’s performance in the post season this fall was not very indicative of his talents. We have seen him have great success on the track, so it was only fitting that Shafer would have a great season on the trails as well. Will Shafer was one of the most impressive runners in the WMC this fall. His best race of the season came at the WMC Championships where he placed fourth running a great time of 17:34.98. He had a very impressive win early in the season at Cape Elizabeth as he dominated the field running a fast time of 16:29. His time that day was over thirty seconds ahead of second place finisher Thomas Bottomley of Cape Elizabeth. Look for Shafer to make a run at the for a top three finish at the WMC Championships

The Henry Rowengartner Award

The Henry Rowengartner Award (Rookie of the Year)

This award goes to the top freshman in the state. In the movie Rookie of The Year, Henry Rowengartner (Thomas Ian Nicholas) led the Cubs to the World Series behind his stellar arm. Here’s the catch, he was only twelve. That’s right, a twelve year old who could throw 103 mph. It was a little rocky at first. The players in the club house didn’t enjoy his presence, and one of his best friends was very envious of him. With the help of Chet “The Rocket” Steadman (Gary Busey) Rowengartner quickly rose to fame, and the Cubs started their run towards the post season. In the final game against the Mets, Rowengartner re broke his arm as he headed out to warm up for the final inning. He didn’t have the firepower that he once had, and had to rely on his craftiness to get the Cubs to the World Series. He may go down as the best rookie of all time.

And the winner is…….




Dan Curts Ellsworth
Dan Curts had an amazing freshman campaign. Let’s look at some of his accomplishments; He placed third at the Class B state meet running a time of 16:28.60 which was good enough for him to qualify for the New England Championships in Vermont next Saturday. He placed eight at the Festival of Champions with a time of 16:46. His eight place finish at that meet is the highest finish ever as a freshman. Curts also won the freshmen two mile race at the Manchester Invitational running a time of 11:28 as he was 21 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. If Curts stays injury free for his career, he may go down as one of the greatest Ellsworth XC runners of all time which is truly remarkable if you look at the list of runners who have run there. Look for Curts to have an outstanding sophomore year as he will be right in the mix for the state title next year.

Rest of the Top Five
2. Josef Holt Andrews Telstar
Fastest 5k: 16:33.04
3. Will Shafer GNG
Fastest 5k: 17:08.07
4. Luis Maser Belfast
Fastest 5k: 17:22.04
5. Kelby Mace Maranacook
Fastest 5k: 17:49.34