Northern Maine Class A Regional XC Preview


Girls

Individuals

Cony's Anne Guadalupi is the favorite to capture the individual title, the junior has run the fastest 5k amongst all Northern Maine runners a 19:14.12 from Festival of Champions. Anne who was 11th at FOC, is coming off a fine run at KVAC where she repeated as the Class A champion running her fastest time ever on the tough Cony course of 20:23.2. A year ago she finished as the runner-up.

Guadalupi won't just run away with the title though as Katherine Leckbee of Mt Ararat & Tessa Cassidy of Brunswick are talented and capable of pulling an upset.

Leckbee who closed very well over the final mile of KVACs finished just 5 seconds back of Guadalupi as she finished with a fine time of 20:28.70. That time was her fastest of the season, and a good indication that she's capable of a sub 20 minute and more than likely a sub 19:30 if all goes well. She 4th a year ago at the Regional meet before going on to finish 5th at the State meet. Leckbee who ran very well at KVAC's considering the intense workout the Eagles do on Columbus day, with more rest don't be surprised to see her out front on Saturday.

Brunswick senior Tessa Cassidy can't be overlooked, Cassidy who was 3rd at KVACs has a history of running very well at the Regional meet, in fact she is the defending champion, and has never finished any higher than 4th in her career. She has the 2nd fastest 5k of all participants with her 19:26.37 effort from FOC.

Freshman Talia Jorgensen of Cony went out a little too fast at KVACs as she faded to 6th place, but she has the 3rd fastest time on the year, 20:10.51 a time she ran at FOC en route to a 4th place finish in the freshman race.

Brunswick's Tiffany Tanner had one of the best races of her season at KVACs as she finished 4th in 21:12. Tanner a senior, ran 22:11 at KVACs a year ago then ran 20:27 at Regionals placing 5th. Mt Blue's Maggie Hickey of Mt Blue was just 5 seconds back of Tanner last weekend as she covered the 5k course at Cony in 21:17, her time was over 2 minutes faster than a year ago. Hickey showed good success on the course at FOC where she ran a lifetime best 20:14.

Others to watch for are Avery Brennan of Messalonskee, Simone Withers of Hampden Academy, Jaden Gray of Lawrence & Jillian Richardson of Edward Little.


Teams

13 teams have entered more than 5 runners but at the KVAC Championship their were only 11 scoring teams, which could mean that only 6 teams get to move on to the state meet next weekend.

Brunswick & Mt Blue had a great race at KVACs last weekend that saw the Cougars pull off a mild upset as they won 71-72 over the Dragons. The two teams are evenly matched Brunswick had the faster 1-5 5k average 22:24 to 22:34, but the Cougars has the better pack time 2:40 to 3:06. Breaking it down further the Dragons had the edge at spots 1-2-4, while the Cougars were better at 3-5. Look for another close one on Saturday.

Cony, Mt Ararat & Hampden Academy all appear to be locks to advance to the state meet. Cony beat both teams at KVACs, while the latter where separated by 3 points.

The battle for the final spot could come down to Lewiston & Brewer, the Blue Devils edged the Witches 129-147 at KVACs.


Girls

Top 10 Individuals in 2015 (Click for all Individuals)


The Mt. Blue Girls are seeded just 3rd amongst all teams in the Northern Maine Regional, however that didn't matter last weekend at the KVACs as they stood atop the podium after a 71-72 win over top ranked Brunswick,

Top 3 Girls Teams(Click for all Team Scores)