Two time defending regional champion Sofie Matson of Falmouth is the overwhelming favorite to win her third straight crown on Saturday. Matson has been unbeatable against competition in Maine during her high school career. This fall she has stepped up her performances, three times running under 18 minutes for 5k including a personal best 17:29. Her best time at Twin Brook is a 18:41.60, the way she has been running a sub 18:30 effort seems to be in the cards.
MileSplit50 #2 Karley Piers, Matson's teammate will be looking for a runner-up finish. Piers has run great this fall with a best time of 18:13.51 for 5k. Piers finished third in the race a year ago, and her best time at Twin Brook is a 19:41.16 so far in her career.
Senior Kate Tugman of Gorham is ranked MileSplit50 #5. Tugman has raced sparingly this fall, last time out she clocked a seasonal best 18:45 at FOC. A year ago the Florida State bound senior placed second running 19:30 at the regional.
The Class A girls race is stacked, #6 ranked Delaney Hesler of Bonny Eagle is more than capable of a top three finish. Hesler has a best of 18:32.58 on the season, last year she finished 8th in regional running 20:19.56.
MileSplit50 #7 sophomore Kayla Werner of Scarborough has run well this fall clocking a best of 18:50 on the season. Werner placed 10th in the regional a year ago in 20:29, she should be able to drop her time on Saturday and compete for a top five finish.Werner's teammate Megan Randall is ranked MileSplit50 #9, she has a best time of 19:06.10 on the season, she has run close to her teammate the last couple of times out.
Emmaline Pendleton a sophomore from Bonny Eagle ranks MileSplit50 #10, her best effort this fall is 19:11 for 5k. A year ago she placed 12th at regionals running 20:32. Her teammate sophomore Hannah Stevens is ranked #15, she has a personal best of 19:29 on the season. Last fall she finished 14th in the regional.
Bonny Eagle the top ranked team in the MileSplit Maine coaches poll all season is the heavy favorite to repeat as regional champions. The trio of Hesler, Pendleton, & Stevens give the Scots a great top three.
Scarborough ranked second has it's own trio with the Werner sisters, and Randall. While 5th ranked Falmouth counters with the best top 2 in the state with Matson and Piers.
Upstart Portland comes in ranked 7th in the state, the Bulldogs are the most improved team in the state from a year ago.
The Class A boys race is wide open on Saturday with a handful of harriers capable of crossing the finish line first.
The Falmouth duo of senior Ben Potter & junior Ben Greene have been near the front all season long. Potter ranked MileSplit50 #6 has run 15:42 and 15:45 for 5k this fall. He has won three races and finished no higher than third in every race this fall. Last time out his teammate Ben Greene took the win, and moved up to MileSplit50 #5. Greene has had a great first xc season that has seen him run under 16 minutes twice including a best of 15:47. A year ago Potter ran to a 9th place finish at the regional in 17:22, every indication is that he's ready to go under 17 minutes based off his success to date. It will be interesting to see how Greene handles the hill at Twin Brook in his first race.
MileSplit50 #10 Tristram Coffin of Scarborough was the regional runner-up a year ago running 16:55. The senior has a best of 16:07 for 5k on the season, and last time out he set a new course record at South Portland. Coffin has a history of strong races at Twin Brook so expect the same this weekend.
Mahamed Sharif of Westbrook more know for his 800m acumen has done very well in his first three xc races of his career. The senior clocked a personal best 16:15 last time out at Windham to move up to MileSplit50 #12. He has won two of the three races he has run in this fall and enters the regional as a wildcard.
Sophomore Zach Barry of Scarborough is ranked MileSplit50 #13, and has a best of 16:21.55 on the season. Last fall as a freshman he finished 11th in the regional meet running 17:26.
Senior Ethan Eickmann of Kennebunk ranked MileSplit50 #15 started the season very well running a 5k best of 15:51. Eickmann hasn't raced in almost a month, as he missed FOC due to testing, and missed the last regular season meet due to injury. If healthy he is more than capable of running with anyone.
It hasn't been a perfect season for the Red Storm of Scarborough who have been without Connor Coffin since week 2, even without him in the lineup the defending regional champions enter ranked the third best team in the state, and the favorite to repeat as regional champions. The trio of Coffin, Barry & Erik LoSacco give the Red Storm lots of potential low sticks.
Falmouth ranked 6th had maybe the best 1-2 in the state with Potter & Greene. The Yachtsmen got Faran Igani back last week, and he certainly should help.
Kennebunk is another dangerous team ranked 8th. The Rams need Eickmann in the lineup to be at their best but even without him they are capable of a top three finish.