Individuals
Brendan Penfold (Deer Isle Stonington) Flo50 #13 is fresh off a win at the Northern Maine Regional where he ran 16:40 to hold off a strong challenge from Orono junior Jonathan Steelman who was three seconds back in 16:43. This was second consecutive week Penfold edged Steelman as he took his measure at PVCs by 10 seconds. On the year Brendan has a best time of 16:26 for 5k. 18th a year ago, Penfold has made the jump into the elite harriers in Class C.
The aforementioned Steelman has been coming on strong in the latter stages of the season. He's edging closer to Penfold, and will need to have his best race of the season to dethrone him. If he can find another level look for Steelman to join his older sister Hannah Steelman (2015 Class C) as individual state champions. He has a best effort of 16:43 for 5k which he ran a last weekend, a year ago the junior finished 15th overall. He'll also be looking to nab a low stick for his Red Riots team who are the team favorites.
Looking to challenge Penfold & Steelman are Southern Maine Regional champion Henry Spritz of Waynflete. Spritz ran a smart tactical race a week ago waiting until the final stretch to go into a full sprint to get by Troy Hendricks of Sacopee Valley. Winning time was 17:43.50 for the junior, which puts him a bit behind the athletes from north when you figure in a 30-40 seconds course difference but every race is different. Look for Spritz to run near the front, and look to pull off the win again in the final stages. He was 6th in the race a year ago.
Hendricks of Sacopee Valley pushed the pace out hard a week ago before settling into the lad pack for the remainder of the race. The junior will be looking to revenge the loss to Spritz, and challenge for the individual title. On the year he has a best time of 16:19 for 5k. Hendricks is one of the most Improved athlete in Class C, he had a 19th finish a season ago.
Maranacook junior Luke Bartol had his best race of his season a week ago as he ran to a third place finish in the SM regional. Bartol covered the 5k course at Twin Brook in 17:52. A year ago he was 32nd in the Class B state meet. His best 5k time this fall is a 17:12.
Also one to watch is Nick Neveu of Maine Coast Waldorf. The senior was 4th in the SM regional last week running with the lead pack until the final half mile. Neveu has a best effort of 16:52 on the season. He has been consistent finishing 7th in the state meet the last two years.
Others to Watch: Matt Keresey (Orono)
Team
Flo50 #9 Orono is coming off a dominating performance where the Red Riots scored 19 points en route to winning the NM regional title. The defending state champions are the heavy favorites to repeat on Saturday. With the low sticks of Steelman & Keresey expected, they also have great quality with seniors Jonathan Spencer & Sam Holt who finished third & 6th last weekend. Sophomore Tucker Ellis rounds of the top 5, last weekend he ran 17:55 to place 7th.
Southern Maine champion Maine Coast Waldorf has the inside tract on the runner-up trophy and the only team with a chance to challenge Orono. Last week they scored 51 points to win by 58 points over Boothbay. They have a team average of 18:45 with a 1:45.