The SMAA travels to Maine’s borders this week for some XC action. Let us take a look SMAA Preview Week 3
Massebesic, McAuley, Westbrook, Windham @Massbesic
Time to head to the apple orchard for these 4 teams! Usually people think of apples in orchards and have happy thoughts…not this time. Massebesic offers one of the more challenging courses in the SMAA, and will play host to some of the conferences best teams. One of those teams happens to be the Windham boys. The Eagles had a fast meet last week, running on the conferences fastest course over at TA. They put there entire top 7 under 18:00 including another team leading performance from Nate Skvorak who finshed 3rd and ran 16:33. Windham should fare well here this week seeing as Massabesic is running again on Saturday at Manchester, and may not be at full strength.
The girls matchup is similar to the boys where Windham may be the team to chase this week. Massabesic is one of the top few teams in the state, (A,B,C combined) however they are also racing this weekend at Manchester. The Windham girls had a great week last week which yielded a lot of PR’s for the Lady Eagles. Lauren Linevitch led the way going under 20:00 for a 2nd place finish, leading Windham to an easy win @ TA.
Deering, Marshwood, Scarborough, Thornton @Marshwood
The Scarborough boys continue to roll here this season and look to keep that trend going this week. They won easily at Smiling Hill last week and look for a similar outcome on Friday. Ryan Cadorette of TA has been having an unreal season for himself. He has established himself as one of the top runners in the state. Cadorette, who was a 2:23 800 runner as a freshman, ran 15:53 last week for a full 3.1. This hard working and rapidly improving young man, hopes to pick up yet another win down in Marshwood.
The girls meet should be a good matchup between Scarborough and Marshwood who have been solid all year long. Both teams have been tough, and are both in the mix to get into the state meet. The Thornton duo of Runnells and LeBlanc ran great last week (19:49 and 20:06) and could go 1-2 this week.
Gorham, Portland, Sanford, SoPo@ Sanford
Jessse Southard of Gorham and Ben Allen of Portland will battle it out over at Sanford this Friday. Both of these guys have been some of the top runners in the conference this fall. Southard has led a very strong Gorham guys team all fall who hope to be one of the top in the state when all is said and done. They will get a challenge from a South Portland team that has been solid all season long as well. South Portland has gotten a boost this season from Saad Zackaria who has been a solid number one for them. They hope he can lead them again this week in Sanford.
The South Portland girls have gotten a strong 1-2 punch all year long out of Shannon Conley and Casey Loring, which may prove to be the difference in this contest. Gorham has been solid this season as has Sanford. Both crews have been thriving off of small packs running well within their team and strong #1 performances from Jackie Turner and Catherine Ledue. Also, keep an eye on Portland, as they have been improving week by week and could have an outside shot to be a state meet team in a months time.
Biddo, Bonny Eagle, Cheverus, @Noble
Conner Bouffard has been a competitive runner this season and will go for the victory this weekend at Noble. He may get a little taste of a challenge from Parker Montano of Cheverus who has been improving as the season has gone on. Cheverus has a strong pack separated by 15-20 seconds that could be the difference maker in securing a win for the Stags.
Kierra Murray has been very good this season…So have Kialeigh Marson, and Mary Szatkowski. This could be one of the more exciting individual races to watch this week. The last time Cheverus and Bonny Eagle met was back at the SMAA relays where Marston took the win and beat Murray by 14 seconds. Since then, Murray has run 19:32 and won 2 races setting up a fun rematch between the two. Szatkowski has been impressive the season as well finishing 2nd in the last two races, taking over as the BE number one last week. These three could give a good show and push each other to a fast time on Friday. Look for Bonny Eagle to continue their team dominance as well.