Flaker & Bossong Voted Outdoor Athletes of Decade

Jul 21, 2020

Flaker & Bossong Voted Outdoor Athletes of Decade

Jarett Flaker of Scarborough High School & Victoria Bossong of Cheverus High School were voted the winners in the inaugural Maine MileSplit Track Madness Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Decade. The Track Madness brackets ran for the last six weeks, starting with 32 athletes in both the boys & girls brackets until a winner was selected. A full recap of the contest can be found HERE

On the boys' side 2020 Scarborough graduate Jarett Flaker was the last athlete standing as he took on South Portland High School shot put state record holder Daniel Guiliani in the final matchup. The final vote tally was 4,591 to 3,578 in favor of Flaker. The two advanced to the final with Guiliani defeating Isaiah Harris, and Flaker defeating Jake Dixon of Cheverus

"It means everything, but credit goes to my family, coaches, and my teammates for transforming me into the athlete I am today". Flaker told us about what it meant to be voted athlete of the decade.

Jarett won three outdoor individual state titles in his career, this despite missing the state meet his sophomore year due to injury, and of course this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flaker won the New England at 200m as a junior and was the 400m runner-up. He currently holds state records in the 100m (10.71), 400m (48.23), and ran a leg on the 4x100 (42.99). Additionally, he ranks #5 all-time in the 200m (22.12) and ran a leg on the sixth-fastest 4x400m relay in history. He was the 2019-2020 Maine Track & Field Gatorade Athlete of Year. He will compete for George Mason University next spring.

On the girls' side Cheverus junior Victoria Bossong took on Adelaide Cooke of Falmouth in the Maine MileSplit Track Madness final. Bossong received 4,931 votes while Cooke tallied 2,916. Bossong advanced to the final by defeating Kate Hall of Lake Region, while Cooke defeated Nyagoa Bayak of Westbrook.

Bossong was thankful for the honor. "I am beyond grateful to be named the Female Track & Field Athlete of the Decade. There are numerous other talented athletes who are so deserving of this title as well; I feel honored and sincerely appreciate this recognition. I would not be where I am today without my coaches, teammates, family, and friends supporting me every step of the way. Lebron James said it perfectly: 'It's never about the individual...It's always about the people that sacrifice what they could be doing with their lives for the better of the individual.' Running truly is my passion, and I will continue my hard work with enhanced vigor."

Victoria has accomplished a lot in her two outdoor seasons, she has won five individual state championships. She currently holds the 400m state record (53.81), and ranks #2 all-time in state history in the 100m (11.94) & 200m (24.54). Bossong is also a two time Maine Track & Field Gatorade Athlete of Year. She'll return for her senior season next spring.

Article was updated with comments from the winning athletes on 7/21