In Maine high school track and field, there are no official records of athletes who have won three or more events at a single state championship meet, never mind records about how many freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors have accomplished that feat.

But one thing is certain: It’s rare for a freshman to win three state titles. Yet Lake Region freshman Kate Hall did just that during the indoor season, and she’s a threat to do it again next weekend at the Class B state championships.

First, though, comes the Western Maine Conference championships Saturday at Yarmouth High.

Hall is the top seed in three events — the 100 and 200 meters, and the long jump. She ranks first in all three events among qualifiers for the Class B state meet next Saturday at Mt. Desert Island.

How unusual would it be if Hall wins three events at the state meet? In his 31 years as a high school track coach, George Mendros of Thornton Academy can recall just one triple champion as a freshman: Meg Muller of Hebron Academy, who in 1996 won the 100 hurdles, 200 and 400, and placed third in the high jump at the Class C state meet.

When Hall won the 55, 200 and long jump at the Class B indoor state championships, no coaches there knew if it had been done before indoors by a freshman.

Advertisement

Her coach thinks that amazing performance set the table for this outdoor season.

“I am optimistic she is still improving as we approach the WMCs, states and New Englands,” said Lake Region Coach Mark Snow. “She is seeded high in all three events, so I think she has a good shot at pulling off another great state meet.

“She’s a great kid with a superb work ethic. I have no doubt that as long as she remains healthy, she will continue to break records the next three years.”

Hall already holds school records in all three of her events.

She ran 12.4 seconds in the 100 to break Sarah Hale’s record of 12.5 set in 2006. In the 200, her time of 25.4 broke Hale’s 2005 record of 27.04. Her long jump best of 17 feet, 9 inches broke Renee Nicholas’ record of 17-3 set in 2007.

This weekend, Hall will have conference records in her sights. All three are well within her reach: 12.45 in the 100, 26.00 in the 200 and 17-81/2 in the long jump.

Advertisement

Hall’s quest for three championships next weekend won’t be easy. One of the competitors she’ll have to beat is Georgia Bolduc of Waterville, who set the Class B record of 12.38 in the 100 at last year’s state meet.

“It’s certainly quite a feat for anyone to achieve Overall it’s very rare for anyone to win three as a freshman,” said Falmouth Coach Jorma Kurry. “Doing so takes quite a bit of talent, but just as importantly a great amount of emotional maturity to manage the stresses of competition through a long day at the state meet.”

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com

Twitter: FlemingPph

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.