Girls results
24 for 24. Ruth White completed her Maine high school XC career undefeated.
White won her third consecutive Class C state individual title running the second fastest time ever on the Troy Howard Middle School with her 16:57.95 winning effort on Saturday. The only time faster was Ruth's record-breaking effort from the Maine Festival of Champions.
"It was a really good race with Teanne pushing me all the way." White had to say of her race effort.
White was pressed in the first 1 1/4 miles by eventual runner-up Teanne Ewings of Houlton/GHCA but was able to start pulling away at the top of the "Super highway" and opened up a gap after the woods section.
Ewings a junior ran fast again this time 17:22.95. She was greeted by White at the finish line as the two superstars embraced acknowledging the tough battle they just had out on the course.
White was quick to change the subject to her teammates during her post-race interview. She was particularly impressed with her sister's fourth-place effort.
"Clara PR'd by like thirty-seven seconds," White said excitedly. "The whole team ran well."
Maine Coast Waldorf sophomore Soren Stark-Chessa finished third, they were followed in fourth by White who sprinted by Houlton/GHCA junior Natalie Johnson in the home stretch. White's time of 19:19.82 and Johnson's 19:20.92 were both the fastest time of the season for each.
Senior Haley Williams of Winthrop was sixth, then it was Waynflete sophomore Grace Alexander in seventh. Behind them, Maya Boyington of Orono finished eighth, while Leanne Ross of Houlton/GHCA placed ninth. Rounding out the top ten was Lucy Olson of Waynflete.
The team race was close through three runners as Orono held a 12-15 lead over Houlton/GHCA. Then the Red Riots pulled away when fourth-place runner Tilly Puleo, a sophomore clocked a personal 21:22 for 17th place. Freshman Ruby Beane had her best race of the season with her 22:29.1 effort that placed her 28th. The title was the sixth in a row for Orono, and ninth in the last ten state meets as they scored just 45 points to easily defeat the runner-up Waynflete who edged Houlton/GHCA 73-77 for second. Orono will graduate Ruth White but the team will be one of the favorites to win in 2024 with four of the top five back.
Boys Results
Sumner senior Kaleb Colson controlled the pace from the gun on Saturday.
Colson talked about his race plan after the race, "For a month we have been putting this plan together, take it out hot and try to burn him (Pottle) out so Ren could possibly get second."
While the plan didn't work to perfection, Colson was rewarded for the fast early pace as he ran a personal best 15:48.28, his first time breaking 16 minutes. He was able to extend his lead over the last two miles to a margin of 47 seconds.
Colson described the win as, "Amazing, I can't think of any other words."
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Winthrop senior and Southern Regional champion Christopher Pottle was the runner-up as he clocked 16:35.17. Defending state champion William Hileman of Bucksport had his best race of the season to finish third. Ren Salisbury a senior from Sumner finished fourth while Orono junior Owen Beane crossed in fifth place.
Gage Bruns of Bucksport finished in sixth place with Orono junior Ben Arsenault placed seventh. Next across the line in eighth was Lukas Pounder a sophomore from Narraguagus, he was followed by sophomore Alden Reardon of Fort Kent. Rounding out the top ten finishers was Foxcroft Academy junior Runner Jarrett.
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Sumner won its first team title since a run of three from 1996-1998 as the Tigers were led by Colson's win and senior Ren Salisbury's fourth-place finish. Senior Claire Willett saved the state meet for the best race of the season as they ran 57 seconds faster than the Northern Maine Regional race to finish 18th, which was 12 spots better than a week ago. Right behind Willett was another Senior for the Tigers, Riley Hastey in 18:10.01. Rounding out the top five was senior Asa Berry in 30th place.
The Tigers scored 59 points to win by 32 points over runner-up Orono who edged George Stevens/Blue Hill by five points for second.