The Mt Blue boys cross-country team has been one of the strongest programs year after year producing numerous individual state champions from Jeremy Howard to 2013 champion Josh Horne. Suprisingly with all the success the boys team has never won the team title in Class A, however that could all change in 2014 as the Cougars have one of the best 1-2 punches in the state with individual title threat Aaron Willingham leading the way and Dan Lesko close behind. A year ago Mt Blue placed 3rd at the Eastern Maine Regional & 11th at States.
"That hard work pays off and perseverance is key! You don't always have control and some things happen at the wrong time! We certainly didn't think that we would be going into the State meet without Aaron. That was a pretty tough thing to overcome mentally for everyone. We're excited that he is healthy again!" Coach Cullenberg had to say about what the team took away from 2013. The Cougars were without top runner Aaron Willingham at the state meet due to injury.
With Willingham back at full strength, and Lesko who placed 11th a year ago Mt Blue has one of the best 1-2 punches in the entire state. Also back from last year's state meet lineup is senior Brendan Hickey (74th), sophomore Isaiah Reid (85th), & senior Sam McIntosh (103rd). The Cougars opened in impresive fashion as they were the top boys team at the Scott Laliberte Invitational last Friday.
At Laliberte we saw new junior Andrew Roberts finish 16th overall as well as new sophomore Tucker Barber (29th) run very well giving Mt Blue more quality and depth.
Cullenberg says "Strength of the boys team: Strong front runners and a developing pack behind them. Great leadership with a bunch of experience." 2014 season got underway with a very strong performance, the cougars hope to stay healthy and continue to develop as the season progresses. They maybe the top team from Eastern Maine with a chance to run with powerhouses Falmouth & Scarborough when it matters in November.
Coach Cullenberg Says...
"With the addition of several key newcomers the boy's teams are hoping to improve upon last year's records. Meets we're keying for: FOC, KVACS, REGS and STATES! We are also setting our sights on qualifying more athletes than last year for New England's."
2014 Returner's Top Times
| 6 | Mt. Blue High School (ME) | 371 | ||
| 1) Aaron Willingham | 15:42.18 | 1 | ||
| 2) Dan Lesko | 16:38.03 | 7 | ||
| 3) Brendan Hickey | 17:59.63 | 94 | ||
| 4) Isaiah Reid | 18:01.90 | 95 | ||
| 5) Sam Mcintosh | 18:43.87 | 174 | ||
| Average Time: 17:25.12 Total Time: 1:27:05.61 1-5 Split: 3:01.69 | ||||
| 6) Thad Gunther | 19:20.79 | 235 | ||
| 7) Isaac Seigle | 19:52.59 | 291 | ||
| Boys 1,600 Meter Run | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:41.03 | Willingham, Aaron | KVAC Championship | 2014-05-31 |
| 4:41.24 | Lesko, Dan | Maine Class A State Championship | 2014-06-07 |
| 5:21.29 | Reid, Isaiah | KVAC: Medomak Val, Lincoln Acad, Camden Hills, Erskine @Lawrence | 2014-05-15 |
| 5:25.27 | Mcintosh, Sam | Agricultural Track and Field Classic | 2014-05-22 |
| 5:27.61 | Hickey, Brendan | KVAC: Leavitt, Belfast, Mt. Blue @ Mt Ararat | 2014-05-09 |
| 5:45.90 | Jackson, Trevayne | Waterville Freshman Invitational | 2014-05-20 |
| 5:49.06 | Blais, Max | Agricultural Track and Field Classic | 2014-05-22 |
| 5:51.62 | Meservier, Justin | Agricultural Track and Field Classic | 2014-05-22 |
| 6:04.46 | Laflin, Park | KVAC: Leavitt, Belfast, Mt. Blue @ Mt Ararat | 2014-05-09 |
|
Boys 3,200 Meter Run |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:18.06 | Willingham, Aaron | KVAC: Oxford Hills, Edward Little, Mt. Blue @Leavitt | 2014-05-02 |
| 10:20.28 | Lesko, Dan | Agricultural Track and Field Classic | 2014-05-22 |
| 11:53.83 | Jackson, Trevayne | Waterville Freshman Invitational | 2014-05-20 |
| 12:38.37 | Mcintosh, Sam | KVAC: Leavitt, Belfast, Mt. Blue @ Mt Ararat | 2014-05-09 |
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