Record Breaking Day at Southern Maine Classic

Every year freshman make an impact on the cross country season, and this fall is no exception. Sofie Matson of Falmouth opened her freshman campaign with a win at the SMAA relays over 1.5 miles, today at the Southern Maine XC Classic the race was 5k the first of her xc career. The extra distance didn't have much effect on the tall and lanky Matson as she got to the front of the race at the start and never looked back. Running alone through the trails of Narragansett School in Gorham, Sofie lengthened her lead throughout the race, crossing in a new course record of 18:20. The time was 25 better than the previous course record held by Gorham's Anna Slager. Her time was the fastest on the day by 8 seconds once the results of the junior/senior were merged in. At a quick look the 18:20 clocking makes her the 14th fastest in state history over 5k in XC.

The Yachtsmen may have hit the jackpot as the second finisher in the race Karley Piers is also from Falmouth. Piers ran a strong race as she was pushed the entire race by Lila Gaudrault of Cape Elizabeth. Karley's first 5k netted a time of 19:11.15, good for the 6th best time overall. Speaking of Gaudrault, the freshman had another strong showing as she ran a personal best 19:14.27, the eight best effort on the day.

While the freshman had the first three finishers, the sophomores took the next four spots. Iris Kitchen of Gorham was the fourth place finisher as she ran 19:37 just off her personal best by .17. Hailey Applebee of Windham placed fifth in a time of 20:23, she was followed by Quincey Lyden of Westbrook in 20:31. Kate Tugman of Gorham finished seventh in a time of 20:32.

Maine Coast Waldorf freshman Olivia Reynolds had a strong race as she placed eight running 20:53. Sophomore Sadie Cowles of Yarmouth ran to a ninth place effort in 20:59, while Cheverus freshman Mackenzie Turner rounded out the top ten with a time of 21:25.

The upperclassmen had their work cut out for them after the blazing fast performances achieved in the freshman/sophomore race and that seemed to make them get out very hard and fast.

Lily Horne of Freeport fresh off her 19:30 5k personal best from a week ago set the aggressive pace as the junior went through the mile in 5:44. About five seconds back of Horne was the duo of Anneka Murrin of Yarmouth and Carolyn Todd of Greely. 

Once the runners came out of the woods onto the fields, Murrin & Todd closed in on Horne before slipping by down by the backstop before going back into the woods. Murrin & Todd assumed the lead and they battled until coming out the woods for the final time. Murrin used her track speed once onto the fields and sprinted her way to the first place finish with a personal best 18:28.74. Todd was next as she crossed in 18:44.99.

Murrin has shown great form in the early season, a week ago she clocked a 18:15 for 3 miles, before running even faster on Saturday. She has established herself as the individual Class B favorite in the early season. For Todd this race was a rebound from a week ago where she finished 45 seconds behind Lily Horne at NYA.

Horne the early race leader would finish with a new personal best of 19:04.40, she held off the hard charging Kathryn Miller of York. Miller was just off her personal best with her 19:06.03 effort.

Scarborough senior Bethany Sholl nabbed her lifetime best with her fifth place effort of 19:12.83. She was followed by Fryeburg Academy standout Emily Carty who ran 19:19.62, a new personal best.

Gorham senior Anna Slager was next with an effort of 19:39.52, while another senior, Olivia Skillings of Maine Coast Waldorf also ran under 20 minutes with her 19:56.67 performance.

Rounding out the top ten was Abby Pipkin of Waynflete with a time of 20:19.88.