Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick hosted a KVAC regular season meet today, and the individual race featured some of the top harriers in the conference, Will Geoghegan (Brunswick), Kelton Cullenberg (Mt. Blue), Jason Kaake (Morse) to name a few, add in defending Class C chmapion Wade Davis and you had the makings of a fast race. Unfortunately, Kaake had to miss the race due to some lingering illness, but that didn't take away from the quality. The race started quickly with Alonzo James (Morse) taking the pack out the first 200-300m, order was restored as the runners hit the first downhill section. Geoghegan was at the front with Cullenberg, Cassidy, Davis in tow. As the worked there way through the fields into the woods, they passed the mile in 5:05, the pace was hot. By two miles the lead pack was down to three with Geoghegan still leading Cullenberg & Davis, as they covered the 2nd mile in 5:24 (10:29). Behind them Jaron Jones (Mt. Blue) was moving up with Liam Cassidy (Brunswick) following. The last mile was the most challenging, as the runners had to climb back up the field before hitting the fast downhill finish. Geoghegan was the storngest on the hills as he eased away from Davis & Cullenberg for the win 16:34. Cullenberg's race was impressive considering he had missed some time due to having his appendix removed, it looks like he is fully recovered now. Brunswick was the top team today, and Mt. Ararat & Mt. Blue tied with 55.
On the girls side, Abby Mace of Maranacook did not run due to an ankle injury. Mt. Blue's #1 runner Melody Lam also did not run either. Without the predicted 1-2 finisher in the race, Taylor Burr (Maranacook) a fine runner in her own right, took the lead from the gun and raced to victory. Burr came through the first mile in 6:18, behind her it was a close battle for 2nd-4th with Katie McMahon & Meghan McDonough from Brunswick & Katie Spies (Mt. Ararat). Burr continued to be at the front alone as she passed 2 mile in 13:18, Burr would go on to win in 20:41, the real race was going on behind her as Katie McMahon continued her strong freshman season finally pulling away for 2nd over the last 800m (20:58). 3rd place wasn't decided until the reach the gravel road downhill finish, Spies had a great kick as roared home to snatch 3rd (21:18), while McDonough was 4th (21:21). Addie Cullenberg (Mt. Blue) crossed the line in 5th(21:46).
The team race was expected to be very close, with Mt. Ararat scoring a 2 point victory over Brunswick last week and Mt. Blue who had previously beaten Mt. Ararat. In a very close race, Mt. Ararat took first place with 45, followed by Brunswick with 49 and Mt. Blue with 53. The keys for Mt. Ararat were their 3/4 runners Katie Gelwick and Erin Fitzsimmons who finished well ahead of their projected results.
The absence of Mace obviously cost Maranacook a lot in the team scoring (they had 76 points). Look for these teams to go back and forth all season.