The SB Report Postseason Awards: The David Cheney Award-Male Runner of Year

This fall at MaineTrackXC we will feature "The SB Report". "The SB Report" will feature power rankings of the top 10 girls & boys teams, as well as individuals in the state. The author of the blog Sam Bonsey, has contributed to MaineTrackXC in the past and we are glad we can share his thoughts on the 2012 XC season.  Bonsey is a former XC/track runner from Falmouth HS, and is currently a journalism student at the University of Maine. Check out his writing each week this fall.

 

The David Cheney Award: Male runner of year  (Click to view full post)

(Previously the Jack Kelly Award)
Previous Winners
2012: Dan Curts Ellsworth
2011: Matt McClintock Madison
2010: Silas Eastman Fryeburg


The David Cheney Award is given annually to the top male runner in the state.

Words can not describe how great of a person, friend and brother Dave Cheney was. His life was cut short on November 16, 2012 in a plane accident in Owls Head, Maine. He was a person who could make you laugh until you're in tears. He was a person that you could depend on. He accomplished more in 22 years than many will in their lifetime. As great of a person he was, he may have been an even better leader. As the president of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at the University of Maine, he worked daily to better the efforts of everyone around him. He was the ultimate "people person". He was never afraid to say what he thought even if it came off as offensive. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest people I've ever met in my life. 



Josef Holt Telstar

SB: 15:06.92
Holt had a season for the ages this fall, and he isn't done yet. Right from the start of the season, we could tell he was a man on a mission. His lone loss of the regular season came at the Manchester Invitational where he placed second to Dan Curts running a spectacular time of 15:27, just four seconds behind Curts. He followed up that performance with one of the most legendary displays of running Maine has ever seen as he smoked the course record at Belfast running 15:06.92. He cruised at the Class C state meet as he ran 17:00.87. Last week at the New England Championships, Holt placed third running an amazing time of 15:12.9 at Derryfield Park in Manchester setting a new Maine record for fastest time on that course (Ben True ran 15:17 his senior year). Holt is favored to get a spot in the top ten at Footlocker Northeast, and make a bid at All-American at Nationals. 


2. Dan Curts Ellsworth
SB: 15:23
Before his hamstring injury, Curts (not Holt) was the top runner in the state. After weeks of rehabbing his injury, he clocked the fastest time of all classes at the state meet in 16:09.22. If he's healthy, expect Curts to challenge for a top ten finish at Footlocker Northeast.

3. Josh Horne Mt. Blue
SB: 15:54.21
Horne captured his first individual state title this year at Twinbrooks running a time of 16:43.79. He won the Eastern A Regional title at Belfast running 16:12.94. Look for Horne to run some fast times on the track this year.