Southern Maine XC Classic Girls Preview



Southern Maine XC Classic Girls Preview

The first Southern Maine Classic XC Invitational sponsored by HOKA and Fleet Feet Maine Running will take place on the speedy 5k course at Narragansett School in Gorham on Saturday. The meet will have three different high school races per gender with the freshman/sophomores in one race, then the juniors/seniors in another race, there will also be a Unseeded race for all other high school runners.  The Classic will also feature a kids race, open race, middle school race. Runners who finish in the top 25 overall will receive a tshirt, while the top 3 individuals will also receive medals. Hats will be given to the top team.


Freshman/Sophomore Girls Race

The talent in the freshman/sophomore race is impressive, including two ranked in the Flo50. Freshman Sofie Matson ran the fastest time at the SMAA relays last week clocking 8:13 over 1.5 miles. Matson who earlier this summer was the top Maine high school runner in the Beach to Beacon, will run her first XC 5k on Saturday. She could run the fastest overall time on the day.

Another freshman phenom Lila Gaudrault of Cape Elizabeth will also be in the field. Gaudrault was third in her debut 3 mile last week, as she ran the 18:38, that time is 7th fastest in course history.

Sophomore standouts Quincey Lyden of Westbrook, Hailey Applebee of Windham, & Iris Kitchen of Gorham will hope to run with the freshman. Lyden was the top freshman at the Class A state meet last fall, as she finished 7th overall in 19:25. Lyden ran the 11th fastest time at the SMAA relays last week. Applebee was 13th in the SMAA relays just behind Lyden just as she was at the Class A state meet a year ago. Kitchen of Gorham equalled Applebee's time at SMAA Relays, and placed fourth at the Laliberte Invitational two weeks ago.

Another freshman to watch will be Karley Piers of Falmouth, she finished 8th in the SMAA relays ahead of all the previously mentioned sophomores.



Junior/Senior Girls Race
The junior/senior race features eight of the top 15 in the Flo50 rankings. Flo50 #1 Anneka Murrin a senior from Yarmouth is the pre-meet favorite based on her opening 18:15 for 3 miles at Cape Elizabeth last week. That effort moved her to fifth fastest in course history. A year ago Murrin finished 5th in the Class B state meet running 18:46.

All eyes will be on Lily Horne of Freeport who comes in ranked Flo50 #3. Horne opened her season with an impressive 19:30 clocking at NYA she was 45 seconds in front of Flo50 #12 Carolyn Todd. 

Yarmouth's Sophia Laukli was a pleasant surprise in her season opener at Cape Elizabeth last week. Laukli a senior who was aboard last year ran 18:28 for 3 miles, the sixth fastest time in course history.

Flo50 #10 Kathryn Miller of York opened her season with just a fourth place finish but don't be fooled, she ran 18:48 for 3 miles at Cape Elizabeth, a time that ranks her eight best in course history.

Emily Carty of Fryeburg Academy Flo50 #11 had a strong debut at Lake Region last week that saw her set the course record running 18:12 for 2.95 miles.

Flo50 #12 Carolyn Todd has the fastest personal best in the field. Todd opened her season with a 20:15 for 5k at NYA finishing behind Lily Horne. A year ago Todd finished

Also in the race as Flo50 #14 Kylie Johnson of Massabesic who was the runner-up at the SMAA relays last week, along with Flo50 #15 Anna Slager of Gorham. Slager holds the course record at 18:45, she was third at the SMAA Relays last week, and fifth at the Laliberte Invitational.

Other runners to watch are Bethany Sholl of Scarborough, Alexandra Hammerton of St Dominic, & Greta Elder of Yarmouth.


Team Outlook

Six of the top 10 teams in the Flo50 rankings will compete on Saturday including 4 of the top 5. Leading the way will be Flo50 #1 Gorham who had an impressive run at the SMAA relays, the Rams will also be running on their home course so that should be advantageous. 

Yarmouth ranked #2 in the Flo50 have two front runners capable of very low sticks, they will be chasing the Rams. The Clippers bested the Flo50 #4 Capers of Cape Elizabeth last week but it was close with just 8 points separating the teams.

Falmouth is the Flo50 #5 team, they placed third at SMAA relays and will be without top runner Malaika Pasch again this week. The Rangers of Greely will get to match up against their new Class A foes for the first time, they come in ranked Flo50 #6.

Also in the field is the Wildcats of York who are ranked Flo50 #9.