Festival of Champions: Insider Look at top Individuals
Boys
The Contenders
Dan Curts & Josef Holt-Andrews hooked up in an epic battle last Saturday at Derryfield Park the site of the Manchester Invitational. Curts & Holt-Andrews ran away from the field just before the 2 mile before sorching the last mile in the low 4:30 range. Holt-Andrews tried to gap Curts with a little over 800m to go, but the senior who won the small schools race in 2012 with a strong kick over the last 300m would have none of it. Curts used his strong sprint speed to pull way from Holt-Andrews before he made the turn for home. With his eye on the clock, Dan dug deep as he was running for history. His 15:23 effort was the #2 time in meet history, while Josef would finish a great race just 4 seconds back in 15:27, his time good for #4AT.
The duo will be back at this weekend at Belfast. The weather looks like it is going to cooperate, with a dry day the course should be running fast. The one year old course record of Mike Tate (!5:26) could be in danger of going by the wayside if Curts & Holt-Andrews decide to attack the course right from the beginning. There is no secret the first mile tends to be the fastest, so we'll know after the first 800m how serious they are at attacking a course record. No question both have the talent to run under the course record, should be a great race to watch for the spectators.
Dan Curts (Ellsworth)
Last Year: DNR (Sick)
Fastest Time at Belfast: 15:47.52 (2012 Class B State meet)
2013 Season: Ran a PR of 15:23.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing first. Ran a 16:43.50 in the Three Mile Run at PVC: Bucksport, Ellsworth, Sumner, Wash Acad @ GSA, placing first. Dan ran a PR of 15:43.12 in the Three Mile Run at Ellsworth Invitational, placing first.
Josef Holt-Andrews (Telstar)
Last Year: 15:59.89 (3rd place)
Fastest Time at Belfast: 15:59.89 (FOC)
2013 Season: Ran a 15:27.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing second. Ran a 17:24.26 in the 5,000 Meter Run at MVC Preview Meet, placing first. Ran a new season best time of 15:21.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at MVC @ Carrebec, placing first. Ran a 16:26.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at MVC: Lisbon, Mad, Car, Gould, Mt Val, St Doms @ Telstar, placing first.
Best of the Rest
Sam Nishi (Harwood, VT)
Grade: Jr.
Last Year: 16:59.72 (24th place)
Fastest Time at Belfast: 16:59.72 (FOC)
2013 Season: Sam ran a PR of 16:02.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing third in the Small Schools race
Ben Decker (Yarmouth)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: DNR
Fastest Time at Belfast: Never ran
2013 Season: Ran a PR of 16:07.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing 4th in the small school race. Ran a PR of 15:16.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at WMC: Cape, Greely, Yarmouth @ Lake Region, placing first.
Aaron Willingham (Mt Blue)
Grade: Jr.
Last Year: DNR
Fastest Time at Belfast: Ran in Texas last year
2013 Season: Ran a PR of 15:54.10 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: Law, Mt A, MCI, Morse, Mess, Mt B, Bangor @ Brunswick, placing first. Ran a 17:03.17 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: OH, Maranacook, Mt Blue, Lewiston, EL @ Leavitt, placing second. Ran a 17:49.51 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: OH, Gard, Bre, Brun, Cony, Mt B, MCI @ Lawrence, placing second. Ran a 17:01.30 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC Meet (Mt. Blue, Messalonskee, Lawrence, MCI, Skowhegan, placing first. Ran a PR of 13:30.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at Laliberte Invitational, placing second.
Liam Simpson (Cape Elizabeth)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: 16:41.26 (10th)
Fastest Time at Belfast: 16:41.26 (FOC)
2013 Season: Ran a PR of 16:13.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing 9th in Elite race. Ran a 16:25.50 in the 5,000 Meter Run at WMC: Cape, Fryeburg, Waynflete @ NYA, placing first. Ran a PR of 15:38.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at WMC: Cape, Greely, Yarmouth @ Lake Region, placing third. Ran a PR of 16:03.00 in the Three Mile Run at WMC: Falmouth, Freeport @ Cape, placing first.
Josh Horne (Mt Blue)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: 16:47.94 (15th)
Fastest Time at Belfast: 16:47.89 (Class A State meet)
2013 Season Ran a PR of 16:24.03 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: Law, Mt A, MCI, Morse, Mess, Mt B, Bangor @ Brunswick, placing second. Ran a 16:52.51 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: OH, Maranacook, Mt Blue, Lewiston, EL @ Leavitt, placing first. Ran a 17:29.83 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: OH, Gard, Bre, Brun, Cony, Mt B, MCI @ Lawrence, placing first. Ran a 17:19.30 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC Meet (Mt. Blue, Messalonskee, Lawrence, MCI, Skowhegan, placing second. Ran a new season best time of 13:22.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at Laliberte Invitational, placing first.
Braden Becker (Yarmouth)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: 16:55.45 (20th)
Fastest Time at Belfast: 16:51.09 (Class B State meet)
2013 Season: Ran a PR of 16:21.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing 5th in small schools race. Ran a 16:59.00 in the Three Mile Run at WMC: Poland, Traip, Wells, Yarmouth @ Falmouth, placing first. Ran a PR of 15:36.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at WMC: Cape, Greely, Yarmouth @ Lake Region, placing second. Ran a PR of 15:58.00 in the Three Mile Run at WMC: Fryeburg, Gray, Yarmouth @ York, placing second.
Others to keep an eye on
Jonathan Stanhope (Bangor) 16:24.55 last year for 5th place
Peter Doane (Cape Elizabeth) 16:49.57 17th place 2012, coming off a personal best 16:35 at Manchester
Logan Moses (Messalonkee) 40th 17:23.71 last year, coming off a personal best 16:35.77 at Brunswick last week
Caleb Lord (Hampden Academy) 28th 17:04.75 in 2012, last time out ran a quick 17:36.59 at the tough Cony course
Ben Trapani (Camden Hills) 7th last year with a 16:36.12 clocking, has run 17:00 at Belfast earlier this fall
Kevin Seaver (Cumberland, RI) Seaver leads a talented Cumberland, RI squad, he clocked a 16:43 earlier this fall, and was 12th here last year 16:44, he hasn't run in a few weeks so a possible injury
Will Shafer (Gray New Gloucester) Shafer is coming off a strong 17:13 at the tough GNG course
Girls
The Contenders
This race is wide open with a handful of runners with a real shot to cross the line first. It's hard to narrow down the list of contenders but the names we think have run at a top level early in the 2013 season. Aleta Looker of Ellsworth is coming of a 3rd place finish in the small schools race at Manchester with a 19:23, a spot behind her was sophomore Anne McKee of Kents Hills in 19:31. Shannon Conley of South Portland has shown top fitness so far this season winning 2 of the 3 races she has run. Kialeigh Marston of Bonny Eagle a newcomer to xc this fall has made the transition with ease, Marston ran 19:21 at Noble to edge Cheverus's Kiera Murrayjust barely. Murray also has shown great fitness this fall with 3 sub 20 minute clocking for 5k, her best time was 19:21 at Noble.
Your guess is as good as ours, Looker would seem to be a strong choice based off her effort last week, but anything can happen in XC. Should be an exciting pack race at the front, with the best racer pulling out the victory with a possible long kick or a sprint finish.
Shannon Conley (South Portland)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: 19:51.57 (17th)
Fastest Time at Belfast: 19:08.93 (Class A State meet 2010)
2013 Season Ran a 16:50.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at SMAA: Deering, Massabesic, Bonny Eagle @ South Portland, placing first. Ran a PR of 9:45.00 in the 1.x Mile Run at SMAA Relays, placing second. Ran a PR of 16:12.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at Laliberte Invitational, placing 1st.
Aleta Looker (Ellsworth)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: DNF
Fastest Time at Belfast: 19:35.75 (Class B Regional 2010)
2013 Season Ran a new season best time of 19:23.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing third in small schools race. Ran a new season best time of 18:10.00 in the Three Mile Run at PVC: Bucksport, Ellsworth, Sumner, Wash Acad @ GSA, placing first. Ran a 19:35.14 in the Three Mile Run at Ellsworth Invitational, placing first.
Anne McKee (Kents Hill)
Grade: So.
Last Year: 14th overall 19:38.40, 2nd in freshman race
Fastest Time at Belfast: 19:38.40 (FOC)
2013 Season Ran a new season best time of 19:31.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing 4th in small schools race, Ran a PR of 16:25.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at Laliberte Invitational, placing 2nd.
Kialeigh Martson (Bonny Eagle)
Grade: So.
Last Year: DNR
Fastest Time at Belfast: Never raced, first season of xc
2013 Season Ran a PR of 19:21.42 in the 5,000 Meter Run at SMAA: Bonny Eagle, Cheverus, Biddeford @ Noble, placing second. Ran a PR of 17:09.00 in the 2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course) at SMAA: Deering, Massabesic, Bonny Eagle @ South Portland, placing 4th. Ran a 20:38.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at WMC: Bonny Eagle, Sanford, Thornton @ McAuley, placing first. Ran a PR of 9:41.00 in the 1.x Mile Run at SMAA Relays, placing first. Ran a 21:07.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Jack Wilkinson Invitational, placing third.
Kiera Murray (Cheverus)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: 11th overall 19:27.82
Fastest Time at Belfast: 19:26.51 (Class A State meet)
2013 Season Ran a new season best time of 19:21.70 in the 5,000 Meter Run at SMAA: Bonny Eagle, Cheverus, Biddeford @ Noble, placing third. Ran a 20:19.70 in the 5,000 Meter Run at SMAA: Sanford, Cheverus,Westbrook, Scarborough @ Smiling Hill, placing first. Ran a 19:32.40 in the 5,000 Meter Run at SMAA: Marshwood, South Portland, Windham @ Cheverus, placing first. Ran a PR of 9:55.00 in the 1.x Mile Run at SMAA Relays, placing third.
Best of the Rest
Amy Laverty (Cumberland, RI)
Grade: So.
Last Year: 12th overall 19:30.67, winner of freshman race
Fastest Time at Belfast: 19:30.67 (FOC)
2013 Season Ran a new season best time of 20:00.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Rhode Island Injury Fund Carnival, placing third.
Hannah Austin (NYA)
Grade: Jr.
Last Year: DNR
Fastest Time at Belfast: 20:34.30 (Class C State meet)
2013 Season Ran a 20:15.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Manchester Invitational, placing 9th in small schools race. Ran a PR of 19:48.90 in the 5,000 Meter Run at WMC: Cape, Fryeburg, Waynflete @ NYA, placing first. Ran a 21:05.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at WMC: Wells, GNG, NYA @Sacopee, placing first. Ran a 21:07.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at WMC: Kennebunk, Merriconeag, NYA, Poland, SV @ Greely, placing second.
Emma Trapani (Camden Hills)
Grade: Fr.
Last Year: DNR
Fastest Time at Belfast: 20:13.50 ( 2013 regular season)
2013 Season Ran a 21:21.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: Gard, Bel, Brew, Wtvl, HA, CH, Mara, EL @ Cony, placing second. Ran a PR of 20:04.26 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: LA, Lawrence, CH, Ersk, Bel, Ocean @ Medomak Valley, placing first. Ran a 20:13.50 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: Erskine, Morse, Medomak, LA, Ocean, CH, EL @ Belfast, placing first. Ran a PR of 20:07.34 in the 3.x Mile Run at KVAC: Camden, Cony, Erskine, Belfast Morse @ Winslow, placing second.
Carsyn Koch (Washburn)
Grade: Sr.
Last Year: 19:06.60 for 6th
Fastest Time at Belfast: 19:06.60 (FOC)
2013 Season Ran a PR of 19:55.24 in the Three Mile Run at Sectional XC Invitational, placing first. Ran a 21:05.60 in the 5,000 Meter Run at All Aroostook Selection Race, placing first. Ran a new season best time of 20:50.22 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Presque Isle Invitational, placing 4th. Ran a 20:39.09 in the Three Mile Run at Ellsworth Invitational, placing 5th. Ran a 20:51.44 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Washburn, Gr. Houlton Christian, Fort Kent, Houlton @Limestone,, placing first.
Abby Hersom (Oceanside)
Grade: Jr.
Last Year: 20:05.19 for 24th
Fastest Time at Belfast: 19:51.06 (Class B State meet)
2013 Season Ran a new season best time of 20:13.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: Richmond, Ersk, Win, Ocean, Medmoak @ Lincoln Academy, placing first. Ran a 20:27.93 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: LA, Lawrence, CH, Ersk, Bel, Ocean @ Medomak Valley, placing second. Ran a 21:05.55 in the 5,000 Meter Run at KVAC: Erskine, Morse, Medomak, LA, Ocean, CH, EL @ Belfast, placing third. Ran a 20:46.00 in the 5,000 Meter Run at Oceanside, Boothbay, Lincoln Academy @ Medomak Valley, placing first.
Others to keep an eye on
Maggie Painter (MDI) Has run 19:49 for 5k this year, finished 8th last year in a fine 19:19
Tia Tardy (Mattanawcook) Ha sa best of 19:52 this fall for 3 miles, this is first season of xc
Lily Koffman (Orono) Has run 19:53 for 3 miles, finished 21st last year 19:56
Hana Marmura (JH Gillis) finished 19th a year running 19:56
Elizabeth Labun (Hampden) Ran a 21:38 at Cony last week, has run 20:00 for 3 miles. Finished 38th a year ago, 20:32
Betsy Dumais (Burrillville,RI) Ran a 19:42 at opening season meet. Didn't run in last years FOC
Other Festival of Champions content
Meet Preview
Girls Virtual Meet | Boys Virtual Meet
Girls Top 25 Performances | Boys Top 25 Performances
Team & Individual Winners History
Festival of Champions: Insider Look at top Individuals
Boys
The Contenders
Dan Curts & Josef Holt-Andrews hooked up in an epic battle last Saturday at Derryfield Park the site of the Manchester Invitational. Curts & Holt-Andrews ran away from the field just before the 2 mile before sorching the last mile in the low 4:30 range. Holt-Andrews tried to gap Curts with a little over 800m to go, but the senior who won the small schools race in 2012 with a strong kick over the last 300m would have none of it. Curts used his strong sprint speed to pull way from Holt-Andrews before he made the turn for home. With his eye on the clock, Dan dug deep as he was running for history. His 15:23 effort was the #2 time in meet history, while Josef would finish a great race just 4 seconds back in 15:27, his time good for #4AT.
The duo will be back at this weekend at Belfast. The weather looks like it is going to cooperate, with a dry day the course should be running fast. The one year old course record of Mike Tate (!5:26) could be in danger of going by the wayside if Curts & Holt-Andrews decide to attack the course right from the beginning. There is no secret the first mile tends to be the fastest, so we'll know after the first 800m how serious they are at attacking a course record. No question both have the talent to run under the course record, should be a great race to watch for the spectators.