Eastern Maine Class B Girls XC Preview

With the 2008 XC season nearly upon us, it is time to look at the contenders for both team and individual glory this fall in the Eastern Maine Class B. The season is sure to provide XC fans in Maine with the opportunity to watch several top-notch athletes chase their dreams of a state title come November. The battle for the team title this fall is sure to be a fight with several of the top teams from last fall returning key members of their squads. MDI the defending champion returns their entire top 7. Caribou, Medomak Valley & John Bapst all return strong teams this fall. There are sure to be some great races this fall, with any number of teams capable of winning the championship. Can anyone catch up to MDI? Will Spurling defend her title? Who will be the biggest surprise team? Stay Tuned

Teams
 
MDI: MDI is the two time defending champion; they have another strong squad this fall as they return their entire top 7 from last year. Look for more of the same this fall from MDI, who is led by Heather Spurling (Sr. 1st in 2007). The supporting cast is strong with Jessica Swanson (Jr. 12th in 2007), Kailynn Russell (So. 19th in 2007), Frances Blank (Jr. 20th in 2007), Mackenzie Curtis (23rd in 2007), Lily Madeira (Jr. 33rd in 2007) & Jessica Rothenheber (Sr. 41st in 2007). This team has what it takes to win, a front runner and a very solid pack.
Medomak Valley: Medomak brings back 6 of their top 7 from last season’s runner-up team. The lost of star runner Kasey Eaton will be hard to replace but this team has a solid core to work with this fall. Leading the way will be Kiana Ocean (Jr. 10th in 2007), behind her Erika Knutson (Jr. 28th in 2007), Gwen Moiles (So. 30th in 2007), Megan Wyllie (So. 32nd in 2007), Laurie Tommasino (Jr. 51st in 2007) & Amanda Barrows (So. 77nd in 2007) also return. Medomak will need someone to step up and be a front runner this fall.
 
John Bapst: The Crusaders 4th in Eastern Maine in 2007, come into 2008 with high hopes as they return 6 runners off of last year’s squad.
At the front of the Pack will be individual title hopeful Kim Spencer (Jr. 3rd in 2007). Also returning are Maggie Bryan (So. 14th in 2007), Tara Nitardy (Sr. 27th in 2007), Stesha Rudnicki (Jr. 43rd in 2007), Sally Peckenham (Sr. 50th in 2007) & Jennie Wainer (So. 60th in 2007). Bapst is ready to make a run this year after finishing 3 points from the runner-up spot in 2007.
Caribou: The Vikings look primed and ready to challenge for the top spot in Eastern Maine this fall. They return four runners from last year’s 3rd place team. Caribou looks to have the best top 3. Leading the way will be Hannah Saunders (Sr. 6th in 2007), Mary Jo Sheehan (So. 8th in 2007), & Dayna Michaud (So. 11th in 2007). Also returning is Laura Collins (So. 55th in 2007). The addition of freshman Ashley Clark & Katelynn Plourde make them a serious contender.
 
Other teams to watch
Presque Isle
Ellsworth
 
5 teams from 2007 Eastern Regiona
 
 
     1 B-Mount Desert Island Hig    68    1   11   17   18   21   30   36
Total Time: 1:47:03.84
Average: 21:24.77
2 B-Medomak Valley High Sch 95 4 9 26 27 29 44 67
Total Time: 1:48:44.80
Average: 21:44.96
3 B-Caribou High School 96 6 8 10 24 48 51 68
Total Time: 1:48:45.48
Average: 21:45.10
4 B-John Bapst High School 98 3 13 20 25 37 43 53
Total Time: 1:49:39.97
Average: 21:56.00
5 B-Leavitt Area High Schoo 112 5 14 19 28 46 56 62
Total Time: 1:50:33.18
Average: 22:06.64
Top Individuals
Heather Spurling (Sr. MDI): Spurling is the defending champion back to defend her title this fall. Spurling has been one of the top XC runners since her freshman year, having finished in the top ten each year. Spurling followed up her regional title with a 5th place at the state meet in 2007. Spurling struggled with some injuries this spring, but should be fully recovered this fall.
 
 
 
Kim Spencer (Jr. John Bapst): Spencer had a solid fall last year, finishing 3rd in the Eastern regional & then 8th at the state meet. Kim had a outstanding spring on the track, finishing 2nd in the Class C 1600 (5:28.56) & 3200 (12:23.45). Look for her to be at the front of the pack again this fall
Hannah Saunders (Sr. Caribou): Saunders paced Caribou last year with a 6th place finish in the East regional, at states she was 9th. During the outdoor track season, Saunders ran to a 5th place in the 3200 at the state meet (12:11.42).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Others to Watch
Mary Jo Sheehan (So. Caribou)
Alecia Palmer (So. Presque Isle)
Brianne Dunn (So. Ellsworth)
Kiana Ocean (Jr. Medomak Valley)
Dayna Michaud (So. Caribou)
Jessica Swanson (Jr. MDI)
Maggie Bryan (So. John Bapst)
 
Top 25 Individuals 2007 Eastern regional (Returners in Red)
1 Heather Spurling JR B-Mount Desert 19:57.38 1
2 Hilary Maxim SR B-Old Town 20:08.38 2
3 Kim Spencer SO B-John Bapst 20:17.04 3
4 Kasey Eaton SR B-Medomak Valley 20:22.52 4
5 Becca Paquette SR B-Leavitt 20:30.14 5
6 Hannah Saunders JR B-Caribou 20:31.23 6
7 Alecia Palmer FR B-Presque Isle 20:35.77 7
8 Mary Jo Sheehan FR B-Caribou 20:43.57 8
9 Brianne Dunn FR B-Ellsworth 20:58.33
10 Kiana Ocean SO B-Medomak Valley 21:02.67 9
11 Dayna Michaud FR B-Caribou 21:16.71 10
12 Jessica Swanson SO B-Mount Desert 21:18.06 11
13 Heather Sanderson SR B-Belfast 21:31.63 12
14 Maggie Bryan FR B-John Bapst 21:40.07 13
15 Jessie Hinkley SR B-Leavitt 21:41.49 14
16 Erin Thomas SR B-Presque Isle 21:46.33 15
17 Megan Nealey SR B-Belfast 21:48.59 16
18 Katy Schrader FR B-Ellsworth 21:48.86
19 Kailyn Russell FR B-Mount Desert 21:52.00 17
20 Frances Blank SO B-Mount Desert 21:54.14 18
21 Allison Fereshetian SO B-Leavitt 21:58.13 19
22 Maren Askins SR B-John Bapst 22:02.07 20
23 Mackenzie Curtis SO B-Mount Desert 22:02.26 21
24 Krista Buck JR B-Presque Isle 22:08.09 22
25 McCluskey Lianne SO B-Camden Hills 22:11.92 23
Team Prediction
MDI is the defending champion is should be pushed by Caribou and John Bapst this fall. All three teams have a top front line runner, it’s going to be the pack behind them that makes the difference. Medomak has a solid team returning and should fit in right behind the others. A sleeper team could be Ellsworth or Presque Isle.
1. MDI
2. Caribou
3. John Bapst
 
 
Individual Prediction
Spurling the defending champion is back this fall; she’ll be pushed by Spencer & Saunders. Behind them there is a bunch of young runners that could breakthrough. Palmer, Sheehan & Dunn have the ability to move up and challenge as well.
1. Spurling
2. Spencer
3. Saunders
4. Sheehan
5. Dunn