Preseason Rankings: Boys Individuals

1.       Dan Curts Ellsworth

              SB: 15:42 States 2013: 1^st Class B

Curts looks poised to have a spectacular final season on the trails as he hopes to win his second straight xc title. He had a tremendous outdoor season running 4:14 and 9:15 in the 1600 and 3200 respectively. Look for Curts to contend for the individual title at the New England Championships and perhaps make a run at Footlocker Nationals.

2.       Josef Holt Telstar

SB: 15:59 States 2013: 2^nd Class C

 

 

The senior from Telstar will be gunning for his elusive first xc title this fall. His outdoor track season indicates he’s ready to do that after he set the All-Time Maine record in the 5k running 14:57. Along with Curts, he’s a threat to win the New England title and make a run at Footlocker Nationals.

3.       Ben Decker Yarmouth

SB: DNR States 2013: DNR

Decker hasn’t run a single cross country meet in his career, but his 32:40 at Beach to Beacon indicates he’s ready for a monster year on the trails. He had some great success on the track as well as we saw him run 9:41 in the 3200. Look for him to contend for the runner up spot in Class B.

4.       Ben Trapani Camden Hills

SB: 16:36 States 2013: 3^rd Class B

Trapani had a breakout season last fall as we saw him place third in the Class B state meet. He’s the top returner in the KVAC and should challenge Ben Decker for the runner up position at the state meet.

5.       Josh Horne Mt. Blue

SB: 16:47 States 2013: 4^th Class A

Horne emerged late in the season as one of the top runners in Class A last fall as evidence to his fourth place finish at the state meet. He’s already off to a great start as he came out victorious at the Laliberte Invitational running the 2.4 mile course in 13:21.95. He’s the early favorite in Class A this year.

6.       Isaiah Harris Lewiston

SB: 16:50 States 2013: 6^th Class A

Harris’s emergence last year was one of the biggest storylines of the entire season. After a sixth place finish at the state meet, he became one of the best 800 runners Maine has ever seen running 1:53.35. With his blazing speed, look for Harris to contend for the individual title in Class A.

7.       Liam Simpson Cape Elizabeth

SB: 16:41 States 2013: 6^th Class B

The senior from Cape Elizabeth is returning after a great outdoor season in which we saw him run 9:49.5 in the 3200. He was also the third Maine high school finisher at Beach to Beacon running 34:54. Look for Simpson to challenge for a top three finish in Class B.

8.       Will Shafer GNG

SB: 17:04 States 2013: 10^th Class B

The mid-distance star from Gray has already gotten off to a great start this season as he placed first at the Lake Region Invitational covering the 2.75 mile course in 15:22. Shafer is as talented as anybody in the state and could very well challenge for a top three finish in Class B this fall.

9.       Jesse Southard Gorham

SB: 17:22 States 2013: 19^th Class A

Southard is out to prove he belongs amongst the best runners in Class A after his 16:51 performance at the Jack Wilkinson Invitational. He’s the top returner in the SMAA and should contend for the state title.

10.   Jonathan Stanhope Bangor

SB: 16:24 States 2013: 14^th Class A

Stanhope has been one of the most consistent runners in Class A for the past two years. He had a great year on the track as we saw him run 10:10 in the 3200. He is amongst the handful of runners who will contend for the individual title.

 

Runners Knocking on the Door: Braden Becker Yarmouth, Peter Doane Cape Elizabeth, Caleb Lord Hampden, Robert Looker Ellsworth, Mohamed Mohamed Lewiston

Boys XC Individual Rankings: 3. Josef Holt Telstar

SB: 16:28.00
Place at Regionals: 4th 17:00.64 Class C West
Place at States: 3rd 16:55.86 Class C

Josef Holt had a stellar second season at Telstar as we saw him emerge as the top Sophomore in the state. Right when he burst onto the xc scene his Freshman year, we knew that he would be something special. Holt ran great in almost every race this season, but perhaps his best performance of the year came at the Festival of Champions where he placed 8th overall running a time of 16:55.72. Holt continued to step up his game as the postseason came around. At the state meet he placed third running a time of 16:55.86. His time was the 8th fastest of all classes. A week later, Holt just missed nabbing an All-New England spot at the New England Championships as he placed 28th running a time of 16:28. With Matt McClintock and Chase Brown gone next year, Holt looks like the early favorite in Class C next fall.