Unlike the girls race, the sophomores lead the way in the boys' freshman/sophomore race. In his first 5k xc race of his career Tristram Coffin of Scarborough set the pace with Jack Bassett of Cape Elizabeth in the early going as they covered the first mile in 5 minutes.
Coffin who switched over from soccer this fall to join his twin brother Connor on trails used the field to stretch out his legs and create the first gap of the race before re-entering the woods.
While Bassett keep Tristram in his sights he was unable to close down the gap. Coffin would cross the line first in an excellent debut time of 16:34.85, with Bassett clocking in at 16:46.74, a new personal best.
"I was in the hurt locker after going out in 5 minutes at the mile", Coffin commented after the race.
Yarmouth sophomore Odeh Rizkallah had a breakthrough day on the course. Rizkallah broke 17 minutes for the first time with his 16:57.43 effort, taking 50 seconds off his best time from freshman year.
The first freshman in the race was next as Sam Wilson on Greely clocked a speedy 17:02.72, he was followed closely by Griffin Allaire of Wells (17:03.15) and another freshman Donald Mahoney of Cheverus (17:03.85).
Another freshman Martin Horne of Freeport clocked in a solid 17:06.79 to finish sixth.
Three sophomores rounded out the top ten as the Portland duo of Liam Wiles & William Brewsterm ran 17:31.45 and 17:35.28 respectively for eight and ninth. While Benjamin Potter of Falmouth clocked 17:39.99 to place tenth.
Freshman/Sophomore Boys
1 Tristram Coffin SO Scarborough 16:34.85 2 Jack Bassett SO Cape Elizabeth 16:46.74 3 Odeh Rizkhallah SO Yarmouth 16:57.43 4 Sam Wilson FR Greely High School 17:02.72 5 Griffin Allaire SO Wells High School 17:03.15 6 Donald Mahoney FR Cheverus 17:03.85 7 Martin Horne FR Freeport 17:06.79 8 Liam Niles SO Portland 17:31.45 9 William Brewster SO Portland 17:35.28 10 Benjamin Potter SO Falmouth 17:39.99
The course record of 16:08 survived the freshman/sophomore race but it was highly anticipated that it wouldn't survive the junior/senior boys race considering the standout field that toed the line.
With defending Class B state individual champion Luke Laverdiere and Jack Yanko a rising junior from Amherst-Pelham in Massachussetts in the field they made sure the pace was fast.
Coming through the mile in a blistering 4:49 Laverdiere & Yanko opened up a gap on the field of almost 10 seconds. On the fields Laverdiere would create the first gap of the race as he stepped on the accelerator covering mile two in 4:50. Laverdiere continued to push hard over the final mile, as he crossed the line in a new personal best 15:17.85, shattering the course record by 51 seconds.
Laverdiere was pleased with his opening 5k of his senior season, "I was a good effort, solid day overall"
Coming into the race Luke thought he was in low 15's shape based of his summer training. "I think I have a lot more left in tank for the season, it's so early."
"Ideally, I want to go to Nationals," Laverdiere said of his goals for the season.
If Saturday was any indication Maine cross-country fans are in a treat this year anytime they get to watch the senior run.
The senior might have had some extra motivation for the race, Laverdiere learned yesterday that he was accepted into the Naval Academy. He says he considering West Point, Harvard & Darmouth to continue his education and athletics next fall.
Jack Yanko showed he had a strong summer of training as he nabbed a ten second personal best with his runner-up effort of 15:37.99
The battle for third was a close one as three athletes kicked for the line, in the end it was Wells senior Mitch Libby getting the nod with his 16:10 effort, he was closely followed by Greely junior Luke Marsanskis 16:11.92 and senior Alex Swett of Massabesic 16:12.05, all three set lifetime bests.
Greely's Matthew Todd had a strong day with his sixth place performance of 16:13.05. Next was John Auer of Falmouth who clocked 16:19.72
There was a 28 second gap to the next pack with Anthony Chase of Gorham nabbing seventh place in 16:48.77. A pair of juniors rounded out the top ten with Landon Heidrich of Thornton Academy running 16:53.49 for ninth, and Harrison Osborne of Scarborough in tenth with a time of 17:00.93
Junior/Senior Boys
1 Luke Laverdiere SR Yarmouth 15:17.85 2 Jack Yanko JR Amherst 15:37.99 3 Mitch Libby SR Wells High School 16:10.00 4 Luke Marsanskis JR Greely High School 16:11.93 5 Alexander Swett SR Massabesic 16:12.05 6 Matthew Todd JR Greely High School 16:13.05 7 John Auer JR Falmouth 16:19.72 8 Anthony Chase SR Gorham High School 16:48.77 9 Landon Heidrich JR Thornton Academy 16:53.49 10 Harrison Osborn JR Scarborough 17:00.93