Festival of Champions preview: Girls Team

Scarborough: The Red Storm come into the FOC with an undefeated regular season record in the SMAA & a #2 ranking in the MTCCCA poll. They are led by a strong pack of four who have been running close to each other all fall. Melissa Dellatore (Jr.) & Abby Chick (So.) have each led the Red Storm in meet this year with Whitney Chamberlain (Sr.) & Sarah Dugas (So.) close behind. In their last race the spread between 1-4 was just 15 seconds. Scarborough also has quality behind the top 4 with Erin McElwain (Sr.) & Libby Davis (Jr.), who have both been getting better as the season progress. The Storm might not have a runner in the top 10 but look for them to keep their pack time down and bunch them in between spots 10-25.

Brewer: The Witches come into the FOC ranked #3 in the poll, and on a roll having won each meet this fall in the KVAC. They are very similar to Scarborough in that they have a tight pack of girls, without a true front runner. Michelle Haluska (So.) has been the top runner for Brewer this fall. Closely behind her, Kaitlin Noyes (Sr.), Sara Chaverie (Fr.), Caitlin Wilson (Sr.), Brooke Madden (Sr.), & Katie Snow (Sr.) have all been close to each other; in the meet at Lawrence they have a spread of just 27 seconds 1-6. Brewer’s last meet was canceled so they will be fresh and ready to run for the title on Saturday.

York: The #4 ranked team in the coach’s poll has another strong team in 2008. They are lead by Michaela Swiatek (So.). Behind Swiatek, Molly Carl (Sr.) & Reahe Goyetche (Jr.) to form a strong top 3. The Wildcats also have quality beyond the top 3, with Monique Boutin (Jr.), Liz Ferland (So.) & Brianna Eaton (Fr.) also running well this fall. Can the Wildcats match the depth of Scarborough & Brewer?

John Bapst: Bapst comes into the FOC as the #5 ranked team in the latest coach’s poll. John Bapst comes into the race rested as they didn’t race last week. Leading the way this year has been Kim Spencer (Jr.) who is coming off a victory in her last meet. Also, Maggie Bryan (So.) has run very well along with Mary Carmack (Fr.), this trio gives the Crusaders a chance to finish in the top 3 teams this weekend. Sara Dickens (Fr.) Jennie Wainer (So.), Tara Nitardy (Sr.) & Laura Donovan (So.) round out the top 7.

Brunswick: The Dragons come into the FOC a little nicked up and coming off two straight losses to Mt. Ararat in the KVAC regular season. Health has been a concern for Brunswick all season, if Sarah Croston can come back full strength; Brunswick is a very dangerous team. In Croston’s absent the duo of Katie McMahon (Fr.) 20:58 for 5k & Megan McDonough (So.) 21:21 for 5k have run near the front in all their races. Erica Noe (Sr.), Jasmine Boyle (Fr.), have been top 5 runners because of the injuries to Sammi Youmans (Sr.), & Farren Welzel(So.) as well. If they can all be healthy this weekend, look for Brunswick to excel.

MDI: MDI is ranked #7 in the latest MTCCCA poll, and are a team that is getting better each time out. This week they scored a victory over Caribou in the Sectional Invitational. They are lead by Heather Spurling (Sr.) who has been strong as usual this fall. Jessica Swanson () has had some injury problem but looks to be healthy again, MacKenzie Curtis (Jr.) & Kailyn Russell (So.) have been close all fall as well in the #3/#4 spots. Lily Madeira (Jr.) & Kymry Brooks (Sr.) provide quality depth as well.

Caribou: The Vikings head into the FOC ranked #8 in the coach’s poll. Caribou has been led by Dayna Michaud (So.) & Mary Jo Sheehan (So.) this fall, while another top runner Hannah Saunders (Sr.) has missed a few meets due to injury, she’s suppose to be back in the Vikings lineup at FOC. In Saunders absent, Kaitlynn Plourde (Fr.) has also emerged as a solid runner. If the Vikings have everyone healthy they will be a team to watch out for.

Mt. Blue: The Cougars are getting better and better each time they race this fall. Heading into the FOC, they are ranked #10. Mt. Blue is led by Melody Lam (Jr.) 20:12 for 5k this year. Stepping up in the #2 slot has been Addie Cullenberg (Fr.) 21:46 for 5k, behind her Gwen Beachem (So.)22:01 for 5k & Shelby Aseltine (So.) 22:15 for 5k give the Cougars strength at the #1-#4 spots.