Last fall the Orono Red Riots found them themselves raising the Class C State XC Championship trophy as they pulled out a 2 point win over defending champion Washburn. For Orono it was the school's first girl xc state title since 1976, which just happened to be the ingagural year for girls XC. So after 37 the trophy was back where it first started, the 2014 team is loaded an looking for a repeat performance.
While Orono doesn't have the same team from a year ago, Coach says "From that team we lost a fantastic Senior core of three varsity atheletes who were instrumental in building the team through their high school careers. But we were fortunate to have a group of remaining runners who took us to that championship. Each of them fully understands what it takes for both team and personal success and have worked hard to perpetuate their goals." Leading the way for Orono last fall was a pair of freshman at the state meet, Ksaadiy Dill (5th) & Hannah Steelman (6th), right behind them in 7th Lily Koffman. With the 3rd, 4th & 5th fastest returners back in your lineup there is no question the base is laid for a top team. Also back is Olivia Fandel who was the 4th Orono runner across the line at the state meet last fall in 17th.
Coach White when speaking on who would fill in the gap of the graduated seniors said, "Our returning girls will be likely joined by two seniors Anna Ellis and Annika Gallandt who have worked hard to have a stronger and healthier senior season. The front runners will also be joined by two first year runners freshman Liza Gallandt and Svenja Linder an exchange student from Germany. Both are adjusting well to our sport."
Sacrifice and teamwork is the key to succes, "I believe the greatest strength of this group of girls is that they place their team before their personal acomplishments. They train well together, work well together and they race well together. Having that atmosphere everyday enables them to persevere even when the days do not go well whether it is in practice or in a meet." said White. That is why this Orono team is the favorite to repeat as Class C champions this fall
Coach White Says...
"As far as goals for this group as a coach all I can wish for is for them to to stay healthy, happy and focused. With those attributes everything else will hopefully fall into place. We are looking forward to an exciting year with lots of great runners and teams around the state it will continue to challenge us to find both team and individual success."
2014 Returner's Top Times
8 | Orono High School (ME) | 397 | ||
1) Lily Koffman | 19:55.75 | 12 | ||
2) Kassidy Dill | 20:25.40 | 28 | ||
3) Hannah Steelman | 20:27.00 | 29 | ||
4) Olivia Fandel | 21:38.59 | 83 | ||
5) Anna Ellis | 23:59.27 | 245 | ||
Average Time: 21:17.20 Total Time: 1:46:26.01 1-5 Split: 4:03.52 | ||||
6) Annika Gallandt | 25:06.39 | 305 | ||
7) Emily Noyes | 27:36.17 | 376 |
Girls 1,600 Meter Run | |||
---|---|---|---|
5:27.69 | Koffman, Lily | Maine Class C State Championship | 2014-06-07 |
5:36.18 | Steelman, Hannah | PVC Small School Championship | 2014-06-02 |
5:47.28 | Fandel, Olivia | PVC: CEN, HER, JB, ORO, PCHS, PEN, FFD, NAR, GRN @ UMO | 2014-05-21 |
5:56.79 | Dill, Kassidy | PVC: CENT, FTK, JB, ORO, PI, FFD, LIM. WSBN @ Caribou | 2014-05-10 |
Girls 3,200 Meter Run | |||
---|---|---|---|
11:59.45 | Koffman, Lily | PVC: BUC, ELLM MAT, ORONO @ Bangor | 2014-05-15 |
12:38.94 | Steelman, Hannah | PVC: CENT, FTK, JB, ORO, PI, FFD, LIM. WSBN @ Caribou | 2014-05-10 |
12:47.01 | Dill, Kassidy | PVC: CEN, HER, JB, ORO, PCHS, PEN, FFD, NAR, GRN @ UMO | 2014-05-21 |
14:33.91 | Ellis, Anna | PVC: CENT, FTK, JB, ORO, PI, FFD, LIM. WSBN @ Caribou | 2014-05-10 |