You can't script a better start to Ben Potter's senior season at Falmouth. Opening with a win at the SMAA relays followed by another on his home course a week ago.
Potter toed the line against some of the best runners in the state on Saturday at Gorham hoping for the chance to cross the finish line ahead of them all. A year ago he ran to sixth place finish in a personal best 16:01.60
Coming into the race he was the fastest returner from last year, and also had the fastest personal best in the field making him a slight pre-race favorite.
Potter got out well and ran in the lead pack throughout the first 2 miles before making his decisive move to the front for good.
Knowing his limits of his kick proved the right move.
"I knew I had to make my move before we got onto the field because they are all faster sprinters than me."
Potter finished strong crossing the line alone in 15:42.86, a 19 second improvement over 5k.
Potter is now three for three on the season, and is feeling confident after his third fastest performance in meet history.
"It feels pretty good but I don't want to get over confident, there is some really good competition in the rest of the state." Potter said
Behind Potter xc novice and teammate Ben Greene showed his talent level as he kicked by a group to finish second in a time of 15:47.79. The time is fastest debut xc 5k ever run in the state of Maine, and moves Greene to fifth best in meet history. Last year at this time Greene was playing soccer for the Yachtsmen.
Kennebunk's Ethan Eickmann continued his strong season lowering his personal best down to 15:51.56 to finish third overall. He took 20 seconds off his best 5k recorded a week ago at Thornton Academy.
Senior Aiden Willey of Bonny Eagle who pushed the pace early on in the race leading through the mile went on to finish fourth in 16:05.83 setting a new personal best. A year ago Willey had to watch the race from the sideline due to injury.
Scarborough junior Erik LoSacco had a career performance to finish fifth overall in a personal best 16:10.31. Last year in freshman/sophomore race he clocked a 17:06, and entered Saturday with a best of 16:47.
Behind him came Griffin Allaire of Wells who was with the lead pack for the first two miles in 16:11.68. 2018 freshman/sophomore winner Martin Horne of Freeport finished seventh in 16:21.49.
In the freshman/sophomore race it was all Zach Barry of Scarborough as he led the race from the beginning to finish in a personal best effort of 16:23.56 good for 8th overall. Barry was the runner-up in the race a season ago in 16:56.
Behind him Chris Walton a sophomore from Biddeford had a strong day finishing in 16:44.30 to place second, he was followed by Calvin Cummings of Gorham in 16:49.21.
Scarborough despite not having Connor Coffin in the lineup and a less than 100% Tristram Coffin showed why the Red Storm are one of the top programs in the state year in and year out as the younger kids stepped up to help the team win the title with 102 points, 24 points in front of defending champion Greely.
Scarborough was paced by LoSacco and Barry, with Tristram finishing 12th as he is still recovering from an illness that knock him out for over a week. They got a big day out of freshman Adam Bendetson (17:18.81) & junior Ben Cassellius (17:35.61) to round out their scoring.
Greely showed they maybe the team to beat in Class B. They got a strong run from junior Sam Wilson (16:26.47) for 10th, he was followed by Riley Franklin (16:41.08), Leif Harvey (16:54.15), Elias Leggat-Barr (17:08.23) & freshman Hayden MacArthur (17:53.09).
Kennebunk had a strong showing with four runners in the top 30 for third with 130 points. Bonny Eagle showed they are a much improved team with their fourth place finish (134 points) while Falmouth rounded out the top five with 165 points.
