In Class A, it was the Scarborough boys' and Cheverus girls' taking the team titles. The Red Storm won the state title for the second year-in-a-row, while the Stags won the title for the first time in school history. The Winslow boys' edged MDI 98-95 to win its first state title since 1966 when they competed in Class 'M'. On the girls' side, it was the Greely Rangers fending off the York Wildcats, 67-59 to win its first state championship since 2005. And in Class C, it was an Orono sweep as both the boys' and girls' teams brought home state championship hardware. The boys' won its third-consecutive title, compiling 102 points to out-distance itself from runner-up Traip Academy, which scored 69 points. The girls' won its sixth-consecutive state title, scoring 125.33 points, nearly 70 points ahead of runner-up George Stevens Academy (56). Let's take a look at the top highlights from all three state meets.
Highlights from Class A
Cheverus's Emma Gallant breaks 200m record, also wins 100m; Thornton Academy's Rosario wins 100m and 200m
The freshmen from Cheverus took state titles in the 100-meters and 200-meters against loaded fields on Saturday and was dominant in both victories. She won the 100m in 12.60 seconds, winning by .28 seconds over Sabrina Merrifield and Mia Tarank who were both clocked at 12.88. She then won the 200m in 25.33 seconds, which broke the previous state record of 25.49 held by Nicole Kirk of Scarborough. Gallant won the event by more than a second over teammate Emily Turner, who finished in 26.43 seconds. Despite this being her first outdoor season, Gallant will likely go into the New England Championships as a title-threat.
On the boys' side, senior Johnny Rosario fended off Scarborough freshmen Jarett Flaker in the 100, running 11.01 seconds with Flaker right behind in 11.13. Rosario then took the 200, winning in 22.48 seconds over Flaker's teammate Ben Batoosingh who was second in 22.66. Matt Polewaczyk of Falmouth was third in 22.93.
Scarborough boys' obliterate 4x100 meter state record
The Red Storm's 4x100 relay team consisting of Ben Hatch, Jarett Flaker, Ben Batoosingh and Sam Rusak broke the state record in the event, finishing in 42.99 seconds to break the previous record of 43.32 set by Cheverus High School back in 2014. Scarborough won the event by more than a second, which is astounding in a 4x100, especially at a state meet.
Bangor's Smallwood breaks pole vault record; Scarborough's Rusak ties boys' record
Ram senior Rihan Smallwood defended her state championship in the pole vault, clearing 11 feet, 7.25 inches, which broke the previous state record of 11-07 set by Lindsey Folsom of Cony High School back in 2013. Smallwood would have been a favorite to land on the podium at New Englands this Saturday, as she comes in as the eighth highest returner from last year's meet, but will miss the meet due to graduation festivities. Her clearance at the state meet would've landed her second at New England's last year. On the boys' side, All-American Sam Rusak defended his title, clearing 16 feet even which tied the state record set by David Slovenski of Brunswick back in 2008. Finishing second was Thornton Academy sophomore Travis Snyder, who cleared 15 feet, 6 inches. The mark shattered his previous sophomore state record of 14-08.5 feet, and currently ranks as the third-highest in Maine history. With Rusak opting not to compete in the pole vault at New England's, Snyder is now a serious title threat in the event.
Westbrook's Lombardo takes 1,600m title in thrilling race
The top-three finishers were separated by .29 seconds, but at the end it was Westbrook senior Joshua Lombardo taking the 1600m, running 4:28.57 with Bonny Eagle senior Caleb Pendleton (4:28.79) and Scarborough senior Shamus Malia (4:28.86) right behind. A close race was to be expected with no clear-cut favorite going in, and the final result certainly lived up to the height. As the top-three finished, and great race for fourth was going on right behind. Messalonskee senior Owen Concaugh nabbed the fourth spot, finishing in 4:29.80, but sophomores Gabe Coffey of Bangor and John Auer of Falmouth were less than a half-a-second behind, running 4:29.95 and 4:30.12 respectively.
Selser defends 800m title, also wins 1600
South Portland junior Juliana Selser won the 800m title for the second consecutive season, running 2:16.95 over Falmouth's Malaika Pasch (2:20.43). In the 1600m, Selser pulled away from Pasch again, winning in 5:11.01 with the Yachtsmen sophomore three seconds back in 5:14.32. Expect Selser to challenge for a high finish in the 800m at New England's weekend. She finished 10th as a sophomore in 2016, then ran to an impressive fourth-place finish in the 1000m this winter running 2:53.29.
Class B
Laverdiere Completes Distance Triple
The standout junior defended his home track, winning the 1,600m (4:18.75), 800m (2:01.00) and 3,200m (9:31.69) to rack up 30 individual points for Yarmouth. He ended up scoring more than sixty percent of the Clippers team points to carry them to a fourth-place finish. Laverdiere's sights are now onto the New England Championships this weekend and is poised for a high finish in either the 1600m or 3200m. He finished ninth in the 1600m a year ago, running 4:21.47, and ran to a fifth-place finish in the mile in March running 4:19.60.
Tia Tardy takes 1600m and 800m titles
Tardy won the 1,600m, pulling away from Greely's Katherine Leggat-Barr to win in a time of 5:01.14. Leggat-Barr was three seconds back in 5:04.63. Both athletes set outdoor PBs in the process. Tardy then followed with a close win over Kaylee Porter of Erskine Academy in the 800m running 2:14.76. Porter was less than two seconds back in 2:16.55. In the process, Tardy broke the previous state record of 2:16.50 which was set by Waterville's Bethanie Brown back in 2013. Tardy now has the rare distinction of holding state records in one event in two different classes (she currently holds the Class C record after running 2:13.03 last season while competing for Orono High School). For good measure, Tardy also started her day anchoring MDI to a state title in the 4x800 meter relay as the Trojans won in 9:50.63, which was the third fastest time of all classes on the day. Leggat-Barr would go on to win the 3200m later running 11:15.26, more than nine seconds ahead of Abby Hamilton of Yarmouth (11:24.74).
Lincoln Academy's Mullen defends 400m title
Junior Tahlia Mullen of Lincoln Academy won the 400m for the second consecutive season, running 58.93 seconds which bested her 58.94 clip from a year ago. She won the event by more than a second over runner-up Tori Koch of Presque isle (1:00.05). Mullen finished 12th at New England's in 2016 running 59.94, and has broken 60 seconds twice this season.
Girls' 300 Meter Hurdles lives up to hype
The anticipated showdown between Greely sophomore Morgan Selby and Cape Elizabeth freshmen Darcy Cochran lived up to its billing as one of the most exciting races of the day. Selby ran to a PB of 45.96 to take the title over Cochran, who was .07 back in 46.03 seconds. The two athletes were more than a full second ahead of third place finisher Maeghan Bernard of Winslow (47.04). It doesn't appear that Selby will compete in the event at New England's, but expect Cochran to. She had the second-fastest time of all classes and has a great chance to land herself on the podium on Saturday.
Fast times in girls' 200m
The girls' 200m was expected to be one of the most compelling races of the Class B state meet, and at the end of the day it was sophomore Madison Post of Gray-New Gloucester pulling out the win, running 26.03 seconds. Lawrence senior Kiana Letourneau was second in 26.24 seconds, with Mullen, the defending champion in the event, third in 26.63. The 200 in Class B turned out to be the deepest of all classes with five girls clocking under 27 seconds. Three girls broke 27 in Class A, while there were zero in Class C.
Class C Highlights
Traip Academy's Porter, Washington Academy's Robinson show out in sprinting events
Porter won the 100m, 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles for the second consecutive season. He won the 110 hurdles in 15.28 seconds to win by .28 seconds. His wins in the 100m and the 300 meter hurdles, however, did not come as easy. In an anticipated showdown with Washington Academy's Michaiah Robinson, Porter dug down like a defending champion does and eeked out a win, running 11.55 seconds to Robinson's 11.56. Porter then held off Orono's Stephen nelson in the 300 hurdles, winning in 39.98 with Nelson right behind in 40.38. Porter had the second-fastest 300 hurdle time of all classes on Saturday. Robinson would end the day with two state titles. He won the 400m for the second-consecutive season, running 49.80 seconds -- just missing the facility and state record of 49.78. He won the event by more than a second. He then followed up with a win in the 200m, running 22.86 seconds. Both athletes come into the New England Championships with All-New England honors on the horizon. Porter was the runner-up in the 300 hurdles a year ago, while Robinson finished sixth in the 400 and ninth in the 200.
Spencer-Thompson breaks state record in triple jump
Mattanawcook sophomore Cayden Spencer-Thompson defended his state title in the triple jump, jumping 47 feet, 3 inches to break his previous state record in 43-02 feet. He also won the long jump for the second consecutive season, winning with a jump of 22 feet, 3.5 inches. Expect Spencer-Thompson to challenge for a New England title this weekend in Connecticut.
GSA's Hassett wins 1600m for second consecutive season, also takes 3200m title
Senior John Hassett pulled away from Orono's Jacob Fandel to win the 1600m for the second year-in-a-row, winning in 4:29.48 with Fandel less than two seconds back in 3:31.26. Hassett then followed with an easy win the 3200m, running 10:02.10 to win by more than ten seconds. Hassett is the sixth-fastest returner in the 1600m from last year's New England Championships, and could challenge for a podium finish with a great race.
Orono's Steelman dominant in 1600m and 3200m
Senior Hannah Steelman of Orono High School ran all alone in the 1600m and pushed herself to a very fast time of 5:07.62 to win by more than 20 seconds. Her time was the third-fastest of all classes on the day. It was the same story in the 3200, as Steelman crossed the line in 11:09.91 to win win by more than a minute, and successfully defend both distance titles. Steelman has consistently run in the 5:07-5:10 range all season in the 1600m, and should have a great chance at dipping close to that 5:00 barrier with a fast race at New England's this weekend. She's the 14th-fastest returner in the event.
Orono's Koffman cruises to discus title; eyes second straight NE title
Stanford bound Jake Koffman threw 173 feet, 6 inches to win the discus title with ease for the consecutive season. He also picked up another state title, winning the shot put with a throw of 55 feet, 2.75 inches. Koffman goes into the New England Championships as the overwhelming favorite to win the discus for the second consecutive season.