Boys Results | Girls Results
The Class C boys' race expected a battle between Northern Maine Regional champion Ben Arsenault and Southern Maine Regional champion Pi Crosby, so it was no surprise to see those two in the lead pack as they exited the woods after the mile marker.
Dirigo's William Morris was setting the pace, and Orono's Owen Beane joined the favorites in the lead pack. Behind them was a huge chase pack headed up by Winthrop sophomore Alfie Cognata.
Class C Boys Race Video
Arsenault and Crosby broke away from the field during mile two as the duo was running stride for stride as they came out of the woods. Beane was hanging tough four seconds back while Morris was another five seconds back in fourth. Cognata had separated himself from the chase pack and was only in fifth.
Class C Boys Photos
Over the final mile, the strength of Arsenault paid off as he was able to open up his stride on the downhills and power up the hills to pull away from Crosby for the victory in 16:54.46. Crosby crossed next after a strong effort at 17:05.39.
Beane remained third with his 17:19 effort while the early leader Morris just a sophomore finished fourth at 17:33. Cognata rounded out the top five with his 17:38 effort.
Two more Red Riots finished next with Camden Brown (17:38) and Andrew Barrett (17:41). Houlton/GHCA had the next two finishers with sophomore Malachi Witmer (17:44) and Brayden Drake (17:48). Lisbon junior Malachi Ganong finished tenth at 17:50.
Orono the top team in Class C all year left little doubt as they paced four in the top seven overall, and scored thirty-two points to win the state title by 75 over a surprise runner-up George Stevens Academy/Blue Hill. Houlton/GHCA placed third, and they were followed by Lisbon and Dirigo.