Festival of Champions preview: Boys Team

Festival of Champions Boys Team Preview

Greely is the #1 ranked team in the most recent MTCCCA poll. They backed up that ranking with an outstanding performance this weekend at the Manchester Invitational by winning the Small Schools title by a wide margin. They have lots of fire power at the front as well as a tight and quality pack behind them. At Manchester they were by James Lepage (Sr.) 16:26 & Logan Price (Jr.) 16:40 behind them is Mark McCauley who has run 16:55 this season for 5k. Andy Fitch (Sr.) is the #4 runner, who is coming off a 17:29 performance at Manchester.  Sam Johnston (So.)  17:38 & Sam Humphries (So.) 17:39 are the #5 & #6 runners for the Rangers. Greely comes into the FOC as the favorite based on their performance at Manchester last weekend, can they make it two great races in a row? They have the front runners as well as great quality

Scarborough comes into the FOC as the #2 ranked team in the MTCCA poll. The Red Storm is undefeated so far this season and is coming off their best performance of the season at Cheverus last Wednesday. Leading the way are top front runners in Nate Hathaway (16:11 for 3 miles & 16:49 for 5k) & Craig Robinson (16:17 for 3 miles & 16:43 for 5k). Behind them they have a strong #3 in Sam Chick (Sr.), who is rounding into form, evidenced by last week’s 16:53 clocking at Cheverus. The Storm’s #4-6 runners have been rotating between Brad Nakanishi (Sr.) 17:58 for 5k, Sean Griffin (Jr.) 17:59 for 5k, & Zach Brown (So.)18:18 for 5k, quality depth like this is a reason Scarborough can contend for the top spot.

Lewiston is the defending team champion at the FOC, and comes into the 2008 race with another strong contending team. The #3 ranked  Blue Devils have been led by three different runners. The trio of Matt Driscoll (Sr.) 17:07 for 5k, Robbie Leeman (Sr.) 16:36 for 5k, & Hossein Ibrahim (So.) 17:15 for 5k provide the top of line power. Behind them look for Faisal Abdillahi #5 18:00 for 5k & #4 Justin Leclair (Fr.) 17:53 for 5k to be quality depth for Lewiston. Lewiston has the fire power to repeat as champions.

Falmouth comes into the FOC ranked #5 team in the MTCCCA poll. Once again the Yachtsman have a strong team. They are led by Jamey Epstein (Sr.), Tim Follo (Fr.), & Scott Gardner (Sr.). Falmouth is a real threat for a top 5 finish.

Caribou is the #6 ranked team in the MTCCcA poll & will look to capture a top 5 finish at the FOC with a team with quality depth. The Vikings are led this year by Steve Melbourne (Sr.) who set a course record at Orono in his last meet.  Also running strong for Caribou has been Finn Bonderson (Jr.) Christian Sleeper (So.) & Tim Freme (Jr.). Caribou has the strength to be in the top 5.

Brunswick comes into the FOC ranked #7 in the latest coach’s poll. Will Geoghegan (Jr.) leads the way for the Dragons and is coming off his best race of the season, a fine 16:34 clocking on his home course to defeat Wade Davis & Kelton Cullenberg. Brunswick will need Liam Cassidy (Jr.) to return to his top form to challenge for a top 5 spot. Rumor has it the Dragons may be missing some of their top 5 due to SAT’S.

York has been running well all year and come into the FOC ranked #9 in the latest poll. They are led by Alex Moser (Jr.) who has run some fine times this fall, including winning his last 3 races. Behind him York has a strong trio in Brian Farrell (Sr.), Tristan Palhof (Jr.) & Dan Herbein (Jr.) that makes them a threat for a top 5 finish.

Gorham has burst onto the scene this fall with some impressive performances, including a win over Cheverus. They are ranked #10 in the latest poll. The Rams are led by Jeremy Earl (So.) who has been tearing up the trails this fall, winning his last three races. Behind Earl, Alex Graves (Jr.) & Logan Marshall (So.) have run strong too. Look for Gorham to make a run at the top 5.