The 2020 Maine cross-country was well beyond unique due to COVID-19, starting with a late start to the season, wave starts during meets, and of course, ending before the state meet. Despite all the changes the class of 2024 had plenty of success on the trails this fall. These five individuals below were the freshman that we thought stood out this fall among all their peers.
William Hileman (Bucksport)
Hileman had a standout freshman season that saw him win three races and run a personal best of 16:57.73 for 5k. At the PVC Class C state qualifier, Hileman ran to victory in a personal best to secure his spot in the state meet. At the Maine Festival of Champions, he finished ninth overall in a very strong field, if the meet had run as normal, he would have likely been one of the favorites in the freshman race. Look for big things from William next fall.
Joshua Way (Waterville)
Way completed an undefeated freshman year winning all five races he started. Joshua ran to win at the KVAC Class B state qualifier meet clocking a personal best 17:14.01 for 5k. He will be one of the top returners in Class B next fall, as he looks to continue his undefeated ways.
Maddox Jordan (Noble)
Despite only racing twice Jordan showed he was one of the best freshmen in the state with his fifth-place finish in the SMAA York County Championship meet. With his fifth-place effort, he locked up an individual qualifying spot for the Class A state meet. He joined William Hileman as the only other boy in the class of 2024 to run under 17 minutes this fall with his 16:59.60 effort.
Harrison Shain (Hampden Academy)
Shain had a strong freshman campaign that saw him run a 5k best of 17:45.58. Harrison ran to an 11th place finish at Festival of Champions and placed eighth in the KVAC Class A North race helping his Bronco squad qualify for the state meet.
Tyler Gilbert (Bonny Eagle)
Gilbert finished his season off with a tremendous performance at the SMAA Cumberland County Championship where he clocked a personal best at 17:45.68 to finish 22nd overall. His time was an improvement of forty-two seconds on the Gorham course from earlier in the season.