XC Countdown 2022: #23 Bucksport Boys

Derek Veilleux


Maine MileSplit 2022 XC Team Countdown


With the calendar switching to August soon we wanted to switch gears from the track to the trails to get ready for the upcoming cross-country season. Athletes around the state are hitting the roads and trails building up a strong base in hopes of a successful cross-country in 2022, with the hopes of lifting the state championship as a team in November the ultimate goal. Our plan is to highlight who we think are the top 25 returning girls and boys xc teams over the next three weeks. Thanks to Cheverus XC/track coach Nick Denari for volunteering his time and efforts to put this countdown together.



Gage Bruns was 9th in Class C state meet in 2021.


#23- Bucksport Bucks

Class C #2

Class C North #2

PVC #5


2021 Results:

Class C North Regional: 3rd (74 points)

Class C State Championships: 5th (137 points)


Top Returning Runners: (Based on Personal Bests)

NameGradeTime

William Hileman

1116:25.88

Gage Bruns

1117:43.62

Collin McDougal

1018:54.41

Michael Johnson

1118:57.71

Cameron Evans

1123:41.78


2022 Outlook:

Bucksport has the potential to be a very dangerous team in 2022. The Bucks have a frontrunner in William Hileman, who may well be the favorite for a Class C crown after winning multiple individual state titles on the track this past winter and spring. Behind him is a solid pack, highlighted by Gage Bruns who had a great track season, finishing top 5 in Class C in both the 800m and 1600m. McDougal and Johnson are also solid runners that should score low in the big meets for the Bucks. However, behind those runners, Bucksport only has one more athlete that returns from 2021. To succeed this year, Bucksport will need to add an athlete or two that can run under 20 minutes. If they can do that, they are a legitimate contender for the Class C title. If they can't do that, then they will struggle to keep up, or if injury hits, they may not be able to field a full team at all.