Eastern Maine Class C Girls 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 dreams of a state title come November. The battle for the team title this fall is sure to be a fight with several of the top teams from last fall returning key members of their squads. Mattanawcook the defending champion returns 6 runners from their squad that dominated Eastern Class C last year. Fort Kent , Orono & Greenville return strong teams this fall. There are sure to be some great races this fall. Can anyone challenge Mattanawcook?? Who will be the surprise team? Who will win the individual crown? Stay Tuned

 

Teams

Mattanawcook Academy: The defending Class C Eastern Maine champions are back with 6 runners this fall looking to defend their crown. The next step is to move up from 2nd in the state and capture the state title. Leading the way will be the duo of Jana Larlee (Sr. 4th in 2007) & Hannah Ruhl (Sr. 5th in 2007). Behind them is Katelyn Deraps (So. 8th in 2007), Abby Paul (So. 10th in 2007), Mary Weatherbee (Sr. 27th in 2007), & Jessi-Ray Dae (Jr. 51st in 2007). This group has the talent to repeat in 2008.

Fort Kent: Fort Kent returns their top 4 runners from a 3rd place team in 2007. For a team that only fielded 5 runners last year their success will be dependent on finding a 5th runner. They are very strong at the front of the pack, led by the trio of Grace Boutot (Sr. 2nd in 2007), Mary Bernand (Sr. 6th in 2007), & Kacey Toussaint (Sr. 7th in 2007) Also returning is Alyssa Ouellette (Jr. 29th in 2007). If they can fill out their roster with another quality runner they will challenge Mattanawcook.

 

 

Other teams to watch

Greenville

Orono

 

 

5 teams from 2007 Eastern Regional

     1 C-Mattanawcook Academy       24    1    3    4    7    9   19   35
        Total Time:  1:50:00.13
           Average:    22:00.03
     2 C-Greenville High School     81   11   12   16   20   22
        Total Time:  2:02:03.73
           Average:    24:24.75
     3 C-Fort Kent High School      86    2    5    6   21   52
        Total Time:  2:05:47.35
           Average:    25:09.47
     4 C-Orono High School         100   13   15   18   24   30   31   32
        Total Time:  2:07:53.61
           Average:    25:34.73
     5 C-Searsport District High   141   10   23   25   34   49   50
        Total Time:  2:18:17.12
           Average:    27:39.43



Top Individuals

 

Grace Boutot (Sr. Fort Kent): Boutot is the top returner in 2008 coming a strong 2007, where she was Eastern Maine runner-up and 4th in the state meet. Look for Grace at the front of the pack this fall

 

Casey McCloseky (Sr. PVHS): McCloskey ran to a 3rd place finish in the Eastern regional in 2007, & a solid 10th at the state meet. She'll look to challenge Boutot for the title this fall.

 

 

 

 

Jana Larlee (Sr. Mattanawcook): Larlee was right in the mix in 2007, 4th in the Eastern regional & 11th at the state meet just a step behind McCloskey. She'll be counted on to be the leader for the Lynx this fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others to Watch

Hannah Ruhl (Sr. Mattanawcook)

Mary Bernard (Sr. Fort Kent)

Kacey Toussaint (Sr. Fort Kent)

Katelyn Deraps (So. Mattanawcook)

Alexandria McVicar (Jr. Calais)

 

Top 25 Individuals 2007 Eastern regional (Returners in Red)

1 Renee LaFlamme SR C-Mattanawcook 20:23.23 1
2 Grace Boutot JR C-Fort Kent 21:11.37 2
3 Casey McCloskey JR C-Pvhs 21:20.44
4 Jana Larlee JR C-Mattanawcook 21:36.63 3
5 Hannah Ruhl JR C-Mattanawcook 22:08.53 4
6 Mary Bernard JR C-Fort Kent 22:34.96 5
7 Kacey Toussaint JR C-Fort Kent 22:40.91 6
8 Katelyn Deraps FR C-Mattanawcook 22:46.16 7
9 Alexandria McVicar SO C-Calais 22:54.11 8
10 Abby Paul FR C-Mattanawcook 23:05.58 9
11 Annie Seekins JR C-Searsport 23:18.60 10

12 Addie Pelletier SR C-Greenville 23:21.18 11
13 Lily McLaughlin SO C-Greenville 23:25.27 12
14 Courtney Hally SR C-George Stevens 23:36.26
15 Rachel Torrey SR C-Woodland 23:37.32
16 Alix Veitch FR C-Bangor Christian 23:38.23
17 Sophie Arabadjis JR C-Orono High School 23:42.10 13
18 Allegra Pellerano JR C-George Stevens 23:49.39
19 Kristie Bryer FR C-Pvhs 23:59.74

20 Jenna Beal SO C-Narraguagus 24:02.85 14
21 Kimber Thomas SO C-Central 24:19.74
22 Leila Doerfler SO C-Orono High School 24:27.40 15
23 McKenna Peat SO C-Greenville 24:33.66 16
24 Lauren Day-Smith SO C-Foxcroft Academy 24:35.20 17
25 Nicky Ciulla SO C-Lee Academy 24:37.85

Team Prediction

Mattanawcook the defending champion is the odds on favorite to capture the title again this fall, with 6 runners returning from last year's squad. Fort Kent could challenge if they find a 5th runner. Greenville & Orono both will field competitive teams as well.

1. Mattanawcook
2. Fort Kent
3. Orono

Individual Prediction

Boutot is the top returner from last year and probably starts the season as the favorite. McCloskey isn't that far behind and will challenge. After that Larlee is another top runner with the eyes on the prize. With most of the top 10 returning from last year, it's going to come down to who did there summer training.


1. Boutot

2. McCloskey

3. Larlee

4. Ruhl

5. Deraps