Eastern Maine Class C Boys XC Preview

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 Eastern Maine Class C. The season is sure to provide XC fans in Maine with the opportunity to watch several top notch athletes chase their dream of a state title come November. With 7 of the top 10 individuals returning from 2007, the battle for the title this fall should be exciting. The team title is expected to be tight as well with several of the top teams from last fall returning key members of their squads. Foxcroft Academy last year’s champion returns its entire top 5. Mattanawcook Academy is another top team returning a strong nucleus along with other competitive teams like Lee Academy & Schenck. Will Foxcroft run away from the field? What team will be the biggest surprise? Who’s the favorite for the Individual title?

Teams
 
Foxcroft Academy: The Ponies are the defending Eastern Maine regional champs, and with a squad that returns its entire top 5, are a good bet to repeat as champions. Despite only fielding a team of 6 runners’ last fall, the Ponies had a successful season, following up their Eastern Maine title with a 5th place finish at the state meet. They will be led by star Graham Pearsall (Jr. 2nd in 2007), who is the top returner in Eastern Maine. Behind him the Ponies have Chris Bridges (Jr. 12th in 2007), Kaleb Mann (Sr. 13th in 2007), Seth Oldfield (Jr. 22nd in 2007), & Amos Almy (Jr. 23rd in 2007). This team is experienced, and looks primed to take another regional championship.
 
Schenck: Schenck returns 6 runners off of a very young squad that finished 5th in 2007. With a little improvement from each runner, they could be a top 3 team in the East this season. They will be led by Brandon Theriault (So. 11th in 2007), also returning is Troy York (Sr. 25th in 2007), Devin Turcotte (So. 33rd in 2007), Jonathan Sirios (Jr. 43rd in 2007), Taylor Tanous (So. 56th in 2007), & Daniel Jandreau (So. 87th in 2007). The experience the sophomores gained last year should help them continue to improve.
 
Mattanawcook Academy: Mattanawcook finished in the runner-up position in 2007, just 13 points out of first. While they lost their #1 runner, Eric Lichtenberg to graduation, they still return a solid nucleus. Leading in the way in 2008, should be Jacob Rhodes (Sr. 6th in 2007). Right behind him, Nolan Dumont (So. 10th in 2007) makes for a solid 1-2 punch. Also returning will be Brandon Deraps (Jr. 27th in 2007). In order to stay in the top 2, they will need some newcomers to varsity to step up to the plate.
 
Others Teams to Watch
Lee Academy
Calais
Orono
 
                             Top 5 Teams 2007 Eastern Maine Regional  
     1 C-Foxcroft Academy           46    2    8    9   13   14   61
        Total Time: 1:34:08.28
           Average:    18:49.66
     2 C-Mattanawcook Academy       59    4    5    6   18   26   41
        Total Time: 1:35:08.97
           Average:    19:01.80
     3 C-Orono High School          73    1   15   17   19   21   27   33
        Total Time: 1:36:21.25
           Average:   19:16.25
     4 C-Lee Academy                99   10   11   12   28   38   43   50
        Total Time: 1:39:25.46
           Average:    19:53.10
     5 C-Schenck High School       120    7   16   23   32   42   59   62
        Total Time: 1:40:38.10
           Average:    20:07.62
 
 
Top Individuals
Graham Pearsell: Pearsell was the runner-up at the Eastern Regional last fall is the top returner back in 2008. He excelled at the state meet as well running to a 3rd place finish, which makes him the favorite for the Eastern Maine title this fall. He just recently ran a 17:40 for 5k on the roads.
 
 
 
 
Zach Carle: Carle had a strong fall last year for the Calais Blue Devils, which saw him finish 3rd in the Eastern Maine regional. He followed that performance up with a 13th place at the state meet. Carle who is a senior will be looking to go out on top.
 
 
 
 
 
Jacob Rhodes: Rhodes had a strong 2007 campaign, which saw him finish 6th in the Eastern Maine regional and 28th at the state meet. Rhodes was Mattanawcook #2 guy last year and should be their #1 harrier this fall.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michael Rioux: Rioux returns in 2008 trying to build on a successful 2007 season for Stearns. He ran to a 7th place finish at the Eastern regional and 19th place showing at the state meet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Others to Watch
Scott Boomer (Sr. Woodland)
Ben Bricker (Sr. Sumner)
Nolan Dumont (So. Mattanawcook)
Brandon Theriault (So. Schenck)
Chris Bridges (Jr. Foxcroft Academy)
Kaleb Mann (Sr. Foxcroft Academy)
                                    
                            
                                                       Top 25 Individuals from 2007 (Returners in Red)
    
    1 Matthieu Nadeau           SR C-Orono High School   17:34.22    1
    2 Graham Pearsall           SO C-Foxcroft Academy    17:36.59    2
    3 Zack Carle                JR C-Calais              17:45.89    3
    4 Eric Lichtenberg          SR C-Mattanawcook        18:09.69    4
    5 Cole Larson-Whittaker     SR C-George Stevens      18:25.95
    6 Jacob Rhodes              JR C-Mattanawcook        18:30.04    5
    7 Michael Rioux             JR C-Stearns             18:30.86
    8 Scott Boomer              JR C-Woodland            18:36.70
    9 Ben Bricker               JR C-Sumner              18:39.66
   10 Nolan Dumont              FR C-Mattanawcook        18:40.04    6
   11 Brandon Theriault         FR C-Schenck             18:40.24    7
   12 Chris Bridges             SO C-Foxcroft Academy    18:40.93    8
   13 Kaleb Mann                JR C-Foxcroft Academy    18:54.07    9
   14 Keith Fisher              SR C-George Stevens      18:56.25
   15 Devan Parker              SR C-Lee Academy         18:57.73   10
   16 Jake Kuester              SO C-Lee Academy         19:03.69   11
   17 Steven Morrill            FR C-Greenville          19:13.78
   18 Raymond Kalob             SO C-Pvhs                19:18.52
   19 Nick Beal                 SO C-Machias             19:22.02
   20 Josiah Thurlow            FR C-Lee Academy         19:25.40   12
   21 Zachariah Graybill        JR C-Woodland            19:26.24
   22 Seth Oldfield             SO C-Foxcroft Academy    19:27.90   13
   23 Amos Almy                 SO C-Foxcroft Academy    19:28.79   14
   24 Patrick Egenhofer         JR C-Orono High School   19:31.54   15
   25 Troy York                 JR C-Schenck             19:34.10   16
 
Team Prediction
Foxcroft is the team to beat, would take a major upset or injury for them not to capture the title based on what they have coming back. The battle for the runner-up position should be very good, Schenck & Mattanawcook Academy both have solid teams. Lee Academy could be the sleeper team and snatch 2nd away from those two. Orono & Calais
will be fighting each other to the line to pick up that last spot in the state meet.
 
1. Foxcroft Academy
2. Schenck
3. Mattanawcook Academy
 
Individual Prediction
Pearsell looks primed to run to the title, but it won’t be easy as Carle is no slouch. After those two it will be a great race, as there are 6 guys that finished within 10 seconds of each other last year back. Rhodes & Rioux finished less than a second apart last year, who will be able to come out on top this year? Boomer, Bricker, Dumont, Theriault, & Bridges you take your pick, all will battle eachother to the line.
 
1. Pearsell
2. Carle
3. Rioux
4. Rhodes
5. Dumont