Western Maine Class A Boys XC preview

Aug 12, 2008

With the 2008 XC season nearly upon us, it is time to look at the contenders for both team and individual glory this fall in the Western Maine Class A. The season is sure to provide XC fans in Southern Maine with the opportunity to watch several top notch athletes chase their dream of a state title come late November. The chase for the title this fall is also sure to be a tight battle with several of the top teams from last fall returning key members of their squads. Cheverus, Scarborough & Thornton Academy all teams that finished in the top 5 in Western Regional last fall have a majority of their squads returning. What team will come out on top & who will run to the individual title?

Teams

Cheverus: Finished 2nd in both the Western Maine Regional and Class A State ChampionshipTaylor Dundas is their top returner, 9th in both the Regional & State meet last fall, along with fellow junior Tim Woods (32^nd in 2007) they form a powerful top two. Although he wasn't a varsity runner last fall, freshman sensation, Jack Terwilliger will look to build on his track success from this spring, which saw him run (4:29-1600/10:02-3200). He figures to be in the top 3 for the Stags. Cheverus lost several key athletes to graduation (Bobby Britten, Martin Duval, Danny Downey, Patrick McCann, & Raleigh Swan). Despite these losses, Cheverus had a very deep JV squad last year, so although several runners will be new to the varsity this fall they are more than capable of making an impact. Look for Andrew Synder (Jr.) & Josh Reali (Sr.) to fit right into the Stags top five.

Scarborough: Although the Red Storm were dethroned from the top spot last fall, they still had a respectable 4th place finish at the state meet after finishing 5^th in the Western regional. The team is hungry to return back to the top spot and have a strong nucleus returning with 6 out of the top 7 back. The Red Storm will be led by Craig Robinson (Sr. 8th in 2007) and Sam Chick (Sr. 13th 2007). Robinson had a strong spring that saw he drop his personal best in the two mile by 18 seconds (9:53). Also returning from last year's top 7 are Joe Prosack (Jr. 40th in 2007), Duncan Scott (Sr. 52nd in 2007), Nick Violette (Jr. 54th in 2007) & Sean Griffin (So. 107th in 2007). In addition to these returners, Scarborough had a deep JV squad last fall. Brad Nakanishi (Sr.), Zach Brown (So.) Jay Vachon (Sr.) will all look to crack into the top seven for the Red Storm. The question that everyone seems to want to know the answer to is whether or not track standout Nate Hathaway is going to switch over from soccer. If he does make the switch, the Red Storm may be the team to beat.

Thornton Academy: Thornton is coming off one of its most successful season’s in school history, the Golden Trojans finished 3rd in the Western Maine Regional and 6th in the state meet. They return 4 of their top 7 from last fall. They will be led by top returner in the Western Maine Regional, Marc Beauchmin (Sr. 6th in 2007). Complimenting him will be Tom Letourneau (Sr. 30th in 2007), Letourneau had an excellent run at the Beach to Beacon (36:31) a couple of weeks ago. Along with Bradley Duqette (Sr. 34th in 2007), & Tom Quentin (Jr. 36th in 2007) gives the Trojans a solid nucleus. Look for the Trojans to continue building on last year’s success.

Massabesic: The Mustangs are coming off a strong 2007 campaign where they finished 7^th in the Western Regional & 10th in the state meet, they return 5 out their top 7. Ben Morrison (Jr. 23rd in 2007) is the top returner, he’ll be looking to continue the success he had last fall. Other returners from last years squad are Madison Moody (Sr. 55th in 2007), Ryan Anderson (Jr. 70th in 2007), Peter LePage (So. 61st in 2007), & Nate Cortright (Jr. 68th in 2007). With the experience they return they could leapfrog some of the teams that were in front of them last year, a top 3 finish in the Western Regional is well within reach as is another top ten performance at the state meet.

Other Teams to watch

Bonny Eagle

Gorham

2007 Western Maine Regional Team Results

1 Portland High School 57 4 5 7 20 21 26 88

2 Cheverus High School 77 9 11 14 18 25 28 32

3 Thornton Academy 116 6 10 30 34 36 58 93

4 Marshwood High School 168 15 22 38 45 48 50 80

5 Scarborough High School 169 8 13 43 52 53 56 63

Top Individuals

Taylor Dundas: (Jr. Cheverus) Dundas was the top runner for the Stags in last year’s Regional & State meet, running to an impressive 9th place finish in both. This fall Dundas will be looking to improve on last year’s individual performance as well as lead his team to the title. Dundas had a solid spring where he ran 9:55.13 for 3200 & 4:31.4 for 1600.

Tim Woods (Jr. Cheverus) Woods is another threat to win the individual state title this fall. In 2007 he ran to 32^nd place finish at the Western regional but rebounded at the State meet with a 16^th place run. Woods will be looking to make the jump to the next level this fall. Woods had a solid spring season finishing 4th in the 800 at the state meet.

Craig Robinson (Sr. Scarborough) Robinson is a serious threat to capture the Class A western regional title this fall based on his improvement during the outdoor track season. Last year he finished 8th in the regional meet then 20^th at the state meet. Robinson had a stellar spring where he improved his 3200 from 10:11 down to 9:53, as well as his 1600 from 4:49 to 4:30.

Marc Beauchmin (Sr. Thornton Academy) Beauchmin surprised everyone last year with his excellent run at regional meet (6^th), so he won’t fly under the radar this season. He is the top returner and a serious threat to capture the individual title this fall.

Tim Belanger (Jr. Bonny Eagle) Belanger may not be the biggest runner in the field, but more than makes up for that with his toughness and ability. He ran to a 17^th place finish at the Western regional in 2007. Belanger continued his success on the track this spring, running 9:55.91 for 3200.

Others to watch

Sam Chick (Sr. Scarborough)

Cole Hutchinson (Jr. Portland)

Ben Morrison (Jr. Massabesic)

Tom Letourneau (Sr. Thornton Academy)

Jack Terwilliger (So. Cheverus)

Team Prediction

Cheverus & Scarborough look to be the top two teams on paper. Cheverus has one of the best top 3’s in the state, and gives them an edge over Scarborough heading into the season. Scarborough would get a big boost if Hathaway runs. TA & Massabesic should battle it out for the 3-4 spots and both have the ability to move up on the right day. Gorham/Bonny Eagle look to be the next best teams, all fighting for a spot in the state meet.

1. Cheverus

2. Scarborough

3. TA

Individual Prediction

The winner here is going to be the athlete that handles the hills at Twin Brook. Beauchmin showed last year that he’s adept on a tough course and shouldn’t be counted out. Dundas will be very tough, and probably will have a couple of his teammate’s right on his hip all fall, most notably Woods. Robinson might have improved more than anyone from last fall, and Belanger wasn’t far behind. Chick is a dark horse, don’t want the race coming down to a kick with him on your shoulder.

1. Dundas

2. Robinson

3. Belanger

4. Beauchmin

5. Woods

Teams

Cheverus: Finished 2nd in both the Western Maine Regional and Class A State ChampionshipTaylor Dundas is their top returner, 9th in both the Regional & State meet last fall, along with fellow junior Tim Woods (32^nd in 2007) they form a powerful top two. Although he wasn't a varsity runner last fall, freshman sensation, Jack Terwilliger will look to build on his track success from this spring, which saw him run (4:29-1600/10:02-3200). He figures to be in the top 3 for the Stags. Cheverus lost several key athletes to graduation (Bobby Britten, Martin Duval, Danny Downey, Patrick McCann, & Raleigh Swan). Despite these losses, Cheverus had a very deep JV squad last year, so although several runners will be new to the varsity this fall they are more than capable of making an impact. Look for Andrew Synder (Jr.) & Josh Reali (Sr.) to fit right into the Stags top five.

Scarborough: Although the Red Storm were dethroned from the top spot last fall, they still had a respectable 4th place finish at the state meet after finishing 5^th in the Western regional. The team is hungry to return back to the top spot and have a strong nucleus returning with 6 out of the top 7 back. The Red Storm will be led by Craig Robinson (Sr. 8th in 2007) and Sam Chick (Sr. 13th 2007). Robinson had a strong spring that saw he drop his personal best in the two mile by 18 seconds (9:53). Also returning from last year's top 7 are Joe Prosack (Jr. 40th in 2007), Duncan Scott (Sr. 52nd in 2007), Nick Violette (Jr. 54th in 2007) & Sean Griffin (So. 107th in 2007). In addition to these returners, Scarborough had a deep JV squad last fall. Brad Nakanishi (Sr.), Zach Brown (So.) Jay Vachon (Sr.) will all look to crack into the top seven for the Red Storm. The question that everyone seems to want to know the answer to is whether or not track standout Nate Hathaway is going to switch over from soccer. If he does make the switch, the Red Storm may be the team to beat.

Thornton Academy: Thornton is coming off one of its most successful season’s in school history, the Golden Trojans finished 3rd in the Western Maine Regional and 6th in the state meet. They return 4 of their top 7 from last fall. They will be led by top returner in the Western Maine Regional, Marc Beauchmin (Sr. 6th in 2007). Complimenting him will be Tom Letourneau (Sr. 30th in 2007), Letourneau had an excellent run at the Beach to Beacon (36:31) a couple of weeks ago. Along with Bradley Duqette (Sr. 34th in 2007), & Tom Quentin (Jr. 36th in 2007) gives the Trojans a solid nucleus. Look for the Trojans to continue building on last year’s success.

Massabesic: The Mustangs are coming off a strong 2007 campaign where they finished 7^th in the Western Regional & 10th in the state meet, they return 5 out their top 7. Ben Morrison (Jr. 23rd in 2007) is the top returner, he’ll be looking to continue the success he had last fall. Other returners from last years squad are Madison Moody (Sr. 55th in 2007), Ryan Anderson (Jr. 70th in 2007), Peter LePage (So. 61st in 2007), & Nate Cortright (Jr. 68th in 2007). With the experience they return they could leapfrog some of the teams that were in front of them last year, a top 3 finish in the Western Regional is well within reach as is another top ten performance at the state meet.