Maine State XC: Class A Boys Five Athletes To Watch

The Class A state meet for boys will take place next Wednesday, November 11 at Saxl Park in Bangor.  With the State of Maine latest updates to the Community Sports guidelines, all athletes will be required to wear a mask when competing which is an interesting twist to an already unique season. The competition is expected to tight with a handful of athletes with a chance to take home the state title. Below we highlight five athletes we think you should keep an eye on based on how they have performed this fall.

State meet XC Hub

2019 State Meet Finish: 4th place

2020 Best 5k: 15:43.10

Greene has gone undefeated in his senior season, so far he's won five races. His fastest 5k on the season of 15:43.10 leads all Maine runners this fall. Last time out he pulled away over the final 800m to win the SMAA Cumberland County Championship in 16:01 at Gorham. Last fall in his first xc season he finished fourth at the state meet, he'll Wednesday as the favorite.

Greene's Outlook: "I'm looking to win states. It's going to be a different race wearing masks, so I'll be ready for whatever the race throws at me."

2019 State Meet Finish: 12th place

2020 Best 5k: 15:53

Patterson ran away with the KVAC Class A title at Cony last weekend clocking 16:46 to win by 12 seconds. Tyler has a seasonal best 5k time of 15:53 on the season the second-best in the state. On the season Patterson has two wins, but none would be bigger than the state title this week. No question the Cornell bound senior Patterson will challenge for the individual title on Wednesday.

Grady Satterfield(Mt Ararat)

2019 State Meet Finish: 8th place

2020 Best 5k: 15:54.90

Satterfield has continued his progress in 2020, after an eighth-place state meet finish in 2019 Grady is set to contend for the individual title this year. He enters with a 5k personal best of 15:54.90 from earlier this fall. Last time out he finished second in the KVAC South race to Tyler Patterson. Expect Satterfield to go with the leaders from the start on Wednesday.

2019 State Meet Finish: 13th place

2020 Best 5k: 16:01.70

Barry has three wins to his credit in 2020, along with a personal best 16:01.70. Last time out he finished second at the SMAA Cumberland County state qualifier. Zach comes in ranked MileSplit Watchlist #4 isn't afraid to run with the front pack as he has done all year long expect the same at the state meet.

2019 State Meet Finish: 16th place

2020 Best 5k: 16:05.37

Valentine has had an excellent 2020 season to date winning three times including the Maine Festival of Champions and the KVAC North race. On the season Abbott has a personal best 16:05.37 effort. Valentine is ready to improve on his 16th place finish from 2019, no reason to think he won't be battling for a top-three spot on Wednesday.