The first Southern Maine Classic XC Invitational sponsored by HOKA and Fleet Feet Maine Running will take place on the speedy 5k course at Narragansett School in Gorham on Saturday. The meet will have three different high school races per gender with the freshman/sophomores in one race, then the juniors/seniors in another race, there will also be a Unseeded race for all other high school runners. The Classic will also feature a kids race, open race, middle school race. Runners who finish in the top 25 overall will receive a tshirt, while the top 3 individuals will also receive medals. Hats will be given to the top team.
The talent in the freshman/sophomore race is impressive, including two ranked in the Flo50. Freshman Sofie Matson ran the fastest time at the SMAA relays last week clocking 8:13 over 1.5 miles. Matson who earlier this summer was the top Maine high school runner in the Beach to Beacon, will run her first XC 5k on Saturday. She could run the fastest overall time on the day.
Another freshman phenom Lila Gaudrault of Cape Elizabeth will also be in the field. Gaudrault was third in her debut 3 mile last week, as she ran the 18:38, that time is 7th fastest in course history.
Sophomore standouts Quincey Lyden of Westbrook, Hailey Applebee of Windham, & Iris Kitchen of Gorham will hope to run with the freshman. Lyden was the top freshman at the Class A state meet last fall, as she finished 7th overall in 19:25. Lyden ran the 11th fastest time at the SMAA relays last week. Applebee was 13th in the SMAA relays just behind Lyden just as she was at the Class A state meet a year ago. Kitchen of Gorham equalled Applebee's time at SMAA Relays, and placed fourth at the Laliberte Invitational two weeks ago.
Another freshman to watch will be Karley Piers of Falmouth, she finished 8th in the SMAA relays ahead of all the previously mentioned sophomores.
Six of the top 10 teams in the Flo50 rankings will compete on Saturday including 4 of the top 5. Leading the way will be Flo50 #1 Gorham who had an impressive run at the SMAA relays, the Rams will also be running on their home course so that should be advantageous.
Yarmouth ranked #2 in the Flo50 have two front runners capable of very low sticks, they will be chasing the Rams. The Clippers bested the Flo50 #4 Capers of Cape Elizabeth last week but it was close with just 8 points separating the teams.
Falmouth is the Flo50 #5 team, they placed third at SMAA relays and will be without top runner Malaika Pasch again this week. The Rangers of Greely will get to match up against their new Class A foes for the first time, they come in ranked Flo50 #6.
Also in the field is the Wildcats of York who are ranked Flo50 #9.