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 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. The team title is going to be one to watch with several of the top teams from last fall returning key members of their squads. Hall-Dale & Monmouth both return their entire squads from last fall, while Winthrop & Lisbon, the top 2 teams from 2007 will be in the mix as well. What team will establish itself early on? Who will challenge Wade Davis? What team will surprise everyone?
Teams
Hall-Dale:The Bulldogs are set-up to improve on their 3rd place finish in 2007. They return there entire squad from last fall, and will be led by individual favorite Wade Davis (2nd in 2007), Behind Davis are many others capable of improving. Ryan Leach (Jr. 11th in 2007), Dylan Sirios (Sr. 25th in 2007), Alex Colon (Jr. 27th in 2007), Benjamin Garant ( Jr. 31st in 2007), Kyle Blanchette (Jr. 32nd in 2007) & Matthew Harper (Sr. 49th in 2007). The bulldogs will have their strongest team in years, watch out for them.
Monmouth:With there entire top 7 back from last fall, Monmouth looks to be ready to challenge for the top spot in the West, if they can find a front runner. They will be led by the tandem of Kevin Desmond (So. 16th in 2007) & Matt McCollett (Sr. 17th in 2007), in addition they have Patrick McInnis (So. 26th in 2007), Mike Allen (Sr. 38th in 2007), Mike McCollett (Sr. 39th in 2007),Elliott Kahl (Jr. 40th in 2007),& Patrick Riley (Jr. 79th in 2007). With some of their young guns improving they have a great opportunity to challenge the best of the west.
Winthrop:The defending champion Ramblers, will look to defend their title this fall, despite losing their 1-2 punch from 2007 (Soltan/O'Brien) they return plenty of talent. Alex Cottrell (Sr. 10th in 2007) has had a good summer on the roads and looks to be their top runner. Along with Cottrell, Winthrop has another threat in Kevin Leavitt (Sr. 13th in 2007) and Pat Romar (Jr. 14th in 2007). Teams will be hard pressed to match the strength of their top 3. Also returning and looking to improve will be Tom Conley (Jr. 45th in 2007) & new to varsity Jake Gomberg (Sr.)
Lisbon: The Greyhounds will be back this fall with a chance to return the top of Class C. Last year they were 2nd in Western Regional and a narrow 3 points away from a state title. They return 5 guys from last fall team, and will be led by Ethan Masselli (Sr. 6th in 2007). Also returning to help the cause will be Alex Branson (So. 9th in 2007), Nick Jones (Sr. 21st in 2007), Tyler Campbell (Sr. 24th in 2007) & Seth Boucher (So. 68th in 2007).
Other Teams to watch
Boothbay
Wiscasset
Top 5 Teams 2007 Western Regional
1 Winthrop 36 1 3 9 11 12 13 41
2 Lisbon High 58 4 5 8 20 21 23 62
3 Hall-Dale High School 92 2 10 24 26 30 31 45
4 Monmouth Academy 125 15 16 25 34 35 36 70
5 Traip Academy 145 6 7 18 54 60
Top Individuals
Wade Davis (Sr. Hall-Dale)
Davis is the overwhelming favorite to take the Western Maine individual title this fall. After a runner-up finish to Danny Soltan in 2007, Davis went on to win the Class C State Championship last fall with a commanding 16 seconds victory. Davis continued to improve during the Outdoor season, where he finished 2nd in the 1600 and won the 3200 at the Class C State Meet. Davis ran a personal best of 9:50 for 3200 as well this spring.
Davis is the overwhelming favorite to take the Western Maine individual title this fall. After a runner-up finish to Danny Soltan in 2007, Davis went on to win the Class C State Championship last fall with a commanding 16 seconds victory. Davis continued to improve during the Outdoor season, where he finished 2nd in the 1600 and won the 3200 at the Class C State Meet. Davis ran a personal best of 9:50 for 3200 as well this spring. Charlie Jones (So. Fox Islands) Jones was just a freshman last year when he finished 4th in Western Regional, although this was not his first time 
running in the race, as he competed as an 8th grader. At the State meet, Jones continued his impressive running with a 7th place gallop. Jones was 6th in the 1600 & 8th in 3200 at the Outdoor State Meet. Look for Jones to continue his success this fall.
running in the race, as he competed as an 8th grader. At the State meet, Jones continued his impressive running with a 7th place gallop. Jones was 6th in the 1600 & 8th in 3200 at the Outdoor State Meet. Look for Jones to continue his success this fall.Ethan Masselli (Sr. Lisbon) Masselli will look to carry on the strong tradition of Lisbon XC this fall. Last year Masselli ran to a 6th place finish in the Western Regional, leading his team to a runner-up finish, he matched his 6th place finish at the State Meet. Ethan was also a member of Class C State Championship 4x800 team this spring.
Others to Watch
Alex Branson (So. Lisbon)
Alex Cottrell (Sr. Winthrop)
Ryan Leach (Jr. Hall-Dale)
Kevin Leavitt (Sr. Winthrop)
Pat Romar (Sr. Winthrop)
Top 25 Individuals 2007 Western Regional (Returners in Red)
1 Soltan, Danny Winthrop 5:25.3 16:50.60
2 Davis, Wade JR Hall-Dale 5:27.0 16:55.90
3 Obrien, Tor Winthrop 5:36.0 17:23.70
4 Jones, Charles FR H. Haven/Vinal 5:40.8 17:38.80
5 Cloutier, Aaron SR Lisbon High 5:43.7 17:47.80
6 Masselli, Ethan JR Lisbon High 5:45.9 17:54.40
7 Bensley, Gage SR Traip Academy 5:46.1 17:55.10
8 Bensley, Ethan SR Traip Academy 5:48.6 18:03.00
9 Branson, Alex FR Lisbon High 5:51.0 18:10.30
10 Cottrell, Alex Winthrop 5:57.1 18:29.30
11 Leach, Ryan SO Hall-Dale 5:59.0 18:35.30
12 Carpenter, Justin Winthrop 6:00.3 18:39.20
13 Leavitt, Kevin Winthrop 6:01.2 18:42.00
14 Romar, Pat JR Winthrop 6:02.0 18:44.50
15 Wing, Tyler SO Valley High School 6:02.2 18:45.20
16 Desmond, Kevin FR Monmouth Academy 6:02.3 18:45.60
17 McCollett, Matt JR Monmouth Academy 6:03.5 18:49.10
18 Trott, John JR St. Dominic 6:04.8 18:53.40
19 Rees, Schuyler JR Traip Academy 6:05.0 18:53.90
20 Forgues, Matt SO Boothbay 6:06.8 18:59.50
21 Jones, Nick JR Lisbon High 6:07.7 19:02.30
22 Patchell, Robert SR Lisbon High 6:10.0 19:09.50
23 Whitaker, Bradley SO Wiscasset 6:10.3 19:10.20
24 Campbell, Tyler JR Lisbon High 6:11.0 19:12.50
25 Sirois, Dylan JR Hall-Dale 6:11.2 19:13.10 24
Team Prediction
Hall-Dale looks to be the early favorite with their entire squad back from last year, and top individual Wade Davis leading them. If they slip up look for Winthrop, who might have the best top three, to rise to the top. Monmouth and Lisbon are no slouches either, both have a chance to be in the top 3 and move on to the state meet. Wiscassett could be a sleeper team.
1. Hall-Dale
2. Winthrop
3. Lisbon
Individual Prediction
Davis the defending state champion is the clear favorite to capture the Western Maine title for the first time this fall. Behind him Masselli & Jones could battle it out for second. Watch for Alex Cottrell, who is ready for another breakthrough. Alex Branson is another harrier that could make an impact.
1. Davis
2. Masselli
3. Jones
4. Cottrell
5. Branson