Sprints & Hurdles
All eyes will be on MDI junior Miles Burr in the short sprints on Monday. Burr the defending Class B champion in the 55m & 200m enters as the favorite to repeat. Burr will chasing state meet records of 6.53 in the 55m, and 22.67 in the 200m, times he has run faster than this winter. Miles is coming off a 6.52 and 22.46 performance in winning the EMITL large school titles a week ago.
The 400m is shaping up to a very competitive race. Joseph Richards of Winslow has the top seed at 52.68. Richards hit that time a week ago en route to winning the KVAC Class B title. A year ago he was the runner-up in the 800m at the state meet, and outdoors he was the Class C champion at 400m. Look for Emmett Mooney of St. Dom's to put up a strong challenge. Mooney didn't race a week ago at the WMC Championship but has a 52.85 best effort this winter. Richards has the strength with his 800m background, while Mooney has the edge on the speed side of the equation.
Another state record will be on watch in the 55m hurdles as senior Nolan Garey of Poland the defending champion in the event looks to continue his dominant season. Garey has clocked 7.64 this season which ranks him over a half second ahead of the Stephen Pierre of Leavitt with his 8.12. Nolan's effort this season ranks him sixth best in state history, the state meet record of 7.68 will be well within his reach considering he hasn't been able to wear spikes in his shoes this winter.
Freeport senior Henry Horne will be one to watch in the mile & 800m races.
Distance
The mile features senior Henry Horne of Freeport and junior Kaleb Colson of Sumner. Horne has the fastest time in the field with his 4:23.54 best, while Colson's fastest has been 4:32.08. This one may come down to how the race is run, a fast early pace may tip the scales towards Horne, while if it comes down to a kick finish, the scales may go back to Colson.
The 800m might be the distance race of the meet. With Colson, and Horne doubling back from the mile they will have their hands full with James Cognata of St Dom's who will likely only have the 4x800 in his legs. Colson has the fastest time in the field with the only sub two effort this winter of 1:58.81. Horne has come ever so close to breaking the barrier with his 2:00.32, while Cognata has a 2:00.52 best this season. Cognata has the edge when it comes to speed, he is coming off a new WMC 400m record at the conference championship of 50.12.
In the 2 mile defending champion William Hileman of Bucksport has the top seed time with his 10:11.31. Colson will try to triple back as he did in winning the distance triple at the EMITL small school championship. WMC champion Sam Laverdiere of St Dom's will be the sleeper, Laverdiere comes in with a best of 10:18.18 and will only have the 4x800 in his legs headed into this one. Erskine Academy senior Nick Choate should be in the mix along with Aedyn Hughes of Ellsworth.
Jumps
Old Town senior Corbin Flewelling leads the field in the long jump with his 21-9 1/4 mark. He will be pushed by Stephen Pierre of Leavitt and Cony senior Conor Morin who has both leaped over 21 feet this winter. Add in Orono's Owen Conner Self and 2022 All New England Jacob Adams of Fryeburg Academy and this competition is shaping up to be one with big jumps.
Flewelling will be after his first indoor triple jump title after finishing as the runner-up in 2022. Corbin will have his eyes set on the state meet record of 45-11 after he leaped 46-1 1/2 to win the EMITL title last week and move to third best in state history in the event. Miles Burr who has jumped 44-3 1/2 this season will be a threat along with Morin of Cony who has 43-8 best this winter.
In the high jump Ellsworth senior Drew Pierson is the favorite. Pierson has a best of 6-3 on the season and is coming off a win at EMITL Championship in the event. Flewelling, Pierre, and Morin all will look to challenge for the top spot in this one as each has cleared 6-1 plus so far on the season.
Another record that could be in danger of going down is in the pole vault. Freeport junior Reece Perry has a 14-3 clearance under his belt which is higher than the 14-0 3/4 record. Perry has dominated the competition all winter but will get a challenge in this one from Kyle Sidaway of John Bapst who comes in with a best of 13-1.
Matt Charpentier of York is defending champion and state meet record holder in the shot put.
Throws
Defending champion Matt Charpentier of York will be looking to improve on his state meet record of 56-6 1/4. Charpentier who will be throwing in the circle he'll call home for the next four years on Monday is coming off a win at the WMC Championship where he broke the league record with his 57-8 1/2, on the season his best throw is 57-9.
Relays
Winslow is the top seed in the 4x800 at 9:05.32, but watch for York and St Dominic Academy both who have teams capable of pulling out the win.
In the 4x200, Poland has the top seed at 1:37.20, they have dominated the WMC all season. Orono from the EMITL will be strong as well.