The Girls PVC Class C race was won by Tiara Tardy of Orono High School last year followed by Orono teammates Hannah Steelman and Kassidy Dill. George Stevens Academy placed 3 runners next with Eliza Broughton, Zeya Lorio and Mary Richardson. With Tia Tardy moving up to Class B this season, the top individual runner based on 5k times this season is Kassidy Dill of Orono. The trio from GSA, Eliza Broughton, Zeya Lorio and Mary Richardson are running strong and all return this season. Broughton, Lorio and Richardson are all seeded ahead of Orono's 2nd seeded runner Hannah Steelman. Hannah is seeded 5th overall, but remember Steelman was the 2014 Class C XC Champion. She has the talent and experience to challenge for a top 3 finish. Kassidy Dill is seeded 25 seconds ahead of all runners and is primed to claim her first PVC individual title on Saturday.
Girls PVC Class C top 10 individual runners based on 5k times:
Kassidy Dill-Orono (19:27.94)
Eliza Broughton-GSA (19:53.02)
Zeya Lorio-GSA (19:57.92)
Mary Richardson-GSA (20:33.61)
Hannah Steelman-Orono (20:48.40)
Camille Kohtala-Orono (20:50.17)
Mary Brenna-Catus-GSA (21:25.79)
Rylee Warman-Houlton (21:25.86)
Liza Gallandt-Orono (21:34.38)
Jordyn Ritchie-Katahdin (21:34.66).
The top 3 teams from last years race were Orono dominating with 21 points followed by GSA at 35 and Mattanawcook Academy at 78 points. There were a couple of student transfers this year that have changed the dynamics of the Class C PVC Championships as well as the Class C State Championships later this month. Mary Brenna-Catus formally of Searsport now runs for GSA and Tia Tardy is no longer a Red Riot as she has moved up to Class B at MDI. With Tardy leaving Orono and Brenna-Catus giving GSA a solid 4th runner, GSA looks like the team to win PVC's this year and challenge for the Class C State Trophy later this month. The results of this PVC meet could be a predictor for the Class C State Championship title for 2016. The Milesplit virtual meet projections predict George Stevens Academy to finish 1st with 26 points (2,3,4,7,10). Orono should finish 2nd with 32 points (1,5,6,9,11) and Mattanawcook 3rd overall with 86 points (13,15,17,19,22).
The Girls PVC Class B race was won by Amanda Boyd of John Bapst last year. Emma Strong of MDI and Audree O'Meara of Old Town High school battled each other all the way to line finishing a strong 3rd and 4th overall. All 3 runners return this year and are joined by a couple of new runners to the PVC large school squad. Trinity Montigny is a Freshman at Ellsworth High School and she is fast. Trinity has the 3rd fastest 5k time for PVC Large Schools this year and finished 7th overall in the FOC Freshman race. Tia Tardy was the Class C State XC Champion last year, Festival of Champions overall winner this year, and is currently undefeated for the season. Tardy is primed to claim her first PVC Large School individual title on Saturday as she is seeded over 90 seconds ahead of all other runners. Amanda Boyd, Trinity Montigny and Audree O'Meara will be vying for a top 3 finish overall.
Girls PVC Class B top 10 individual runners based on 5k times:
Tia Tardy-MDI (18:32.71)
Amanda Boyd-John Bapst (20:14.40)
Trinity Montigny-Ellsworth (20:30.94)
Audree O'meara-Old Town (20:46.40)
Sarah Hunt-John Bapst (20:57.78)
Katelyn Osbourne-MDI (21:12.35)
Madison Jandreau-Presque Isle (21:25.59)
Madeline Gudde-Caribou (21:28.03)
Katrina Salch-Caribou (21:33.59)
Ashley Violette-Caribou (21:40.47).
The top 3 teams from last years race were MDI with 59 points, Caribou at 65 and Presque Isle with 74 points. This year will be a showdown between the Vikings and Trojans for top honors once again. The Milesplit virtual meet projections predict the Caribou Vikings edging out the MDI Trojans 55 to 54 this year. This title will be decided by the backbone of any XC team, the 4,5,6 and 7th runner. Predicted scores: Caribou 53 (8,9,10,12,14), MDI 54 (1,6,13,16,18) and Ellsworth 92 (3,11,24,25,29).
Best of luck to all runners this weekend!