There was some top notch talent on display at Twin Brook Recreation Park on Tuesday afternoon, as the Bill Chandler Relays got the season underway for many local teams. The format has 5 individual races on the girl’s side, while there are 7 individual races on the boy’s side. The combined time of all runners is then added together for a total team time. The course was in pristine shape and running faster than ever; the improvements over the years have made Twin Brook one of the top XC trails in the state and new England. On the girls side defending Class B state champions, Cape Elizabeth were eager to get on the trails again to see the fruits of their summer labor. The Capers are looking to repeat their success from 2008, where they ran undefeated in the state of Maine en route to a dominating win at the Class B state meet. Much of that team is back in 2009, eager to take it the next level.
The Capers didn’t disappoint, as senior standout Emily Attwood got them out to a early lead when she tore through the course, setting the standard with a 11:57 clocking. The time was a new course record. Also running well in the first race was Rachel Wilkinson of Gorham (12:37) while Scarborough’s Melissa Dellatorre was 3rd in 13:07.
Junior Kelsey Barton continued the strong running for Cape, when she finished just behind race #2 winner Mia Rappolla of Gorham (12:21). Rapolla is new to XC this fall for the Rams, she has had an instant impact, notching the 3rd fastest time of the day. She should be one of the top harriers in Western Maine this fall. Finishing in third was Abby Chick of Scarborough (13:32).
The third race of the day put Cape’s depth on display as Rachel Nichols raced through the 1.95 mile course, alone at the front to nab the 2nd fastest time of the day (12:13). Nichols time was 1:09 faster than the 2nd place finisher, senior Kelsey Rex of Gorham (13:22), Rex’s time was 7th fastest overall, a very strong performance. Scarborough’s Sarah Dugas was 3rd in the heat (13:49).
The fourth race was again won by a Caper, as senior Hannah Doss (13:33) rolled to victory. Behind her in 2nd place was Scarborough’s Margaret Benoit (14:00), while Gorham freshman Jackson Marshall rounded out the top three in (14:28). The fifth race was the conclusion of the varsity girl’s competition.
Cape’s Catherine Tierney was victorious as she cruised to a (13:45), with Scarborough senior Libby Davis running to a 2nd place finish (14:19), while Gorham’s Katie Flanders was 3rd best (14:55).
With all the racing done, Cape’s 5 girl total time was 1:03:52 an impressive total, a new team best. Gorham showed it will be a team to watch out for this fall in Class A, as they edged defending Class A state champions Scarborough, 1:07:43 to 1:08:47.
On the boy’s side, the team matchup featured the defending Class A state champion, Scarborough Red Storm & defending Class B state champion, Greely Rangers. The Red Storm & Rangers showed they will be two of the top teams in the state this fall with their performances.
The first race was off the line quickly with Gorham’s Jeremy Earl out if front. As the runners worked their way around the field and entered the woods for the first time, Scarborough’s Nate Hathaway and Logan Price were locked up in a duel, with Earl,
The #2 race featured Greely standout Mark McCauley & Scarborough’s Sean Griffin, who were at the front of pack, with Gorham’s Logan Marshall & Cape’s Reid Douty following closely as the runners hit the woods for the first time. After coming out of the Woods, McCauley had established a lead over
Off the next was race #3, Scarborough’s Zach Brown & Gorham’s Adam Hawkes ran stride for stride for most of the race, Brown opened up a small gap before the finish line and was able to hold on for the race win (11:03) while Hawkes clocked (11:06), Greely’s Conor Regan rounded out the top 3 (11:22).
The fourth race was a two man duel at the front with Greely’s Sam Johnston & Scarborough freshman Robbie Hall. The two ran stride for stride with each other for the entire 1.95 mile course, it wasn’t until the end that
The #5 race saw Nick Morris of Scarborough and Sam Humphries of Greely battling up front together in the beginning, but it would be Morris who would take the lead an expand it over the last mile as he ran (11:08), showing the strong depth of the Red Storm. Morris’s time was 11th fastest on the day. Humphries ran well to notch 2nd (11:23).
Cam Woodworth (
The 6th race once again saw a Scarborough runner at the front as Tom Hague battled with Greely’s Andrew Hunter & Gorham’s Joe DeRoy until the homestretch, and used a powerful kick to take the race (11:35) to Hunter’s (11:39) & DeRoy’s (11:41).
The final race of the varsity race has
With all seven runners finished, Scarborough won the Chandler Relays for the second straight year, clocking a new team record time of 1:17:34 to outdistance runner-up Greely (1:18:59) by 1:25. Gorham running in the relays for the first time since they left the WMC had a strong performance to nab 3rd place (1:20:48).