Class C Girls
Olivia Reynolds and Olivia Skillings of Maine Coast Waldorf come in as two of the favorites for the individual title. They are the only two runners in the region who have gone under 20:00 in 2017. Reynolds has been fantastic in her first year on the trails having run 19:37, which ranks first in the region. She came in sixth in the freshman race at Festival of Champions, and most recently finished second at WMCs in the D2 race, running 21:12. Skillings has posted two wins in 2017, including last week's win at WMCs running 20:48. She's gone under 20:00 three times, and that includes her personal-best of 19:51.05 that she ran at Festival of Champions. Skillings was third at the regional last season.
Alexandra Hammerton of St. Dominic's was the runner-up last season and figures to be in the top group once again in 2017. Her season-best of 20:06.68, which she ran at Festival of Champions, ranks third in the region. She's coming off a fourth place finish at WMCs, running 21:53. She's also won two races in 2017. Molly McGrail of Maranacook should also be in that lead pack. She was 11th a year ago in Class B and is coming off a strong second place finish at the KVAC Championships, running 20:56. Her teammate Laura Parent should be in the mix as well. She was right behind McGrail at KVACs, finishing third in 21:57.70.
Abby Pipkin has been remarkably consistent this season and will likely challenge for a high finish. She's run 21:55 or better in six of seven 5k races, and her season-best of 20:12.91 is the fifth fastest in the region. Pipkin finished 11th a season ago, and is coming off a fifth place finish at WMCs running 21:55. Also watch for Glory and Faith Blethen of Boothbay. Glory is just a freshmen and has run 20:21.13 for 5k. Faith, on the other hand, is a two-time regional champion (2016, 2015) and has won three races in 2017. Her winning on Saturday wouldn't be a surprise. She has a season-best of 20:46.67.
After making the switch to Class C this season, the Maranacook Black Bears come in as the slight favorite to take the regional on Saturday. Maranacook has two runners in Molly McGrail and Laura Parent who will likely contend for top five finishes. Maddie Taylor has been closing in on Parent all season, and if she can close that gap even more this weekend, this team should like its chances. This Maranacook team is deep as each of its top five have run under 22:00 for 5k this season. Sophie O'Clair and Madelyn Dwyer round out its top five.
Maine Coast Waldorf is expected to challenge Maranacook. Maine Coast was third last year and they have two girls who could potentially take the top two individual spots. Olivia Reynolds and Olivia Skilling have been outstanding for them, and they currently hold the two fastest 5ks in the region (Reynolds first, Skillings second). Mamie Whittier has been solid as their third runner. She's run 21:39. But where Marancook has the advantage is its strength of its fourth and fifth runners. Ava Teegarden and Caitlin Keliher are going to need to have big races if Maine Coast is to beat Maranacook.
The Waynflete Flyers have high hopes for a top three finish. Waynflete was second last year and brings back Abbie Pipkin who's expected to challenge for a top five finish. Anna Wildes and Leeza Kopaeva are there second and third runners, and have both run under 22:00 this season. They'll need to have strong runs from its fourth and fifth runners to compete with Maranacook and Maine Coast. St. Dominic should be knocking on the door of a top three finish. Alexandra Hammerton and Caroline Castonguay are two runners who will likely challenge for high finishes, which gives St. Dom's a good chance. Also be aware of Boothbay, which has a dynamic duo of Glory and Faith Blethen -- two runners expected to contend for high finishes.