FOC Boys Preview: Competitive Race Expected in 2018

Sep 28, 2018

Team Preview

Eight of the top ten teams in the most recent MileSplit50 Team Poll are scheduled to compete on Saturday at the Festival of Champions, including the four of the top five. After this meet we should have a clearer picture as to where everyone stands at this point in the season.

Five time winner Scarborough, ranked MileSplit50 #2 comes into the meet as the team favorite. The Red Storm have a strong top 5 this fall that averaged 16:41 at the Hoka Southern Maine XC Classic, the pack time is a solid as well at just 1:06.40. The Storm will be lead by the Coffin twins, Tristram & Connor who expect to be in the lead pack. Freshman Zach Barry is the pre-meet favorite in the freshman race.

Falmouth is no stranger to success at FOC, the Yachtsmen have won twice, and have been in the top 5 just about every year. Last fall they were the top Maine team in fourth place, before winning their second consecutive Class A state title. Senior John Auer & junior Ben Potter give them a powerful 1-2. They have a team average of 16:47 with a 1:54.30 pack time.

MileSplit50 #4 Hampden Academy has had a strong fall. The Broncos have the front runners with individual title contender Wyatt Lord and Grahme Sokoloski a top ten contender. The enter ranked 7th based on times in 2018 but look for the purple of Hampden to surpass that on Saturday.

Bangor & Hampden Academy have swapped wins the last couple of weeks, the MileSplit50 #5 Rams are led by title threat Gabe Coffey. Bangor ranks 4th in the virtual meet with a 17:15 team average and will need a strong run from their number 5 runner to move up.

MileSplit50 #6 Massabesic will be looking for a strong result this weekend. The Mustangs have a strong 1-2 punch with individual contender Jeff Waters and sub 17 runner Jakob Saucier. They enter the meet with a 17:08.32 team average and 1:37.40 pack time.

Brunswick comes in ranked MileSplit50 #7 and the Dragons will be looking to move up the ranks. Led by Will Shaughnessy who is expected to get them a low stick, they have a team average of 17:27 on the season with pack time of 1:05.

MileSplit50 #8 Lincoln Academy has run well at big meets over the past couple of seasons. With two front runners in Sam Russ & Jarrett Gulden the Eagles should be in the mix. Hermon has run undefeated to this point in the season, while the Hawks who rank MileSplit50 #9 lack an individual contender they do have a strong pack evidenced by a 34 second spread for the top 5.