The 2025 KVAC Cross Country Championship unfolded on a picture-perfect fall afternoon at Cony High School on Saturday - the same course that will host the MPA State Championships in two weeks.
The varsity girls' race kicked off the day's action, with Lincoln Academy's Karen Higgins and Hampden Academy's Addison Elliott and Gretchen Plant establishing the early pace. The trio quickly separated from the field, with Higgins opening up a 10-second gap as they exited the woods for the first time. Elliott held strong in second, while Plant followed a few strides back.
The order remained unchanged on the second loop, though Elliott began to close the gap with 800 meters to go. Higgins responded with a strong finish, powering home in 19:22 to claim the win. Elliott followed in 19:30, and Plant secured third in 20:03.
Behind the top three, Ava Collamore of Medomak Valley surged over the final mile to take fourth in 20:36. The most exciting finish of the day came next, as Haley Marston of Leavitt narrowly edged Erin Curtis of Hampden Academy - 20:52.61 to 20:53.28. Maddy St. Charles of Camden Hills placed seventh in 21:25, followed by Annabel Garvan-Soto of Lincoln Academy (21:39), Carson Dunn of Waterville, and Charlotte Crowe of Mt. Ararat, rounding out the top ten.
While the race was contested together, results were scored separately by class. Higgins not only took the overall win but also claimed the Class B individual title, while Elliott was crowned the Class A champion.
In the team competition, Hampden Academy dominated Class A, winning with 26 points. Camden Hills was runner-up with 43, and Bangor finished third with 125. In Class B, Morse successfully defended its title with 42 points, followed by Waterville (51) and Lincoln Academy (53).
The boys' race at the 2025 KVAC Cross Country Championship began at a controlled pace, with a lead pack of five setting the tone early - Sam Bergmark (Bangor), Enzo Giampaolo (Lewiston), Harper Borden and Calvin Vincent (Edward Little), and Levi Riggs (Morse). The first time through the woods, Borden moved to the front, leading the tightly packed group.
The chase pack - featuring Jack Scott (Hampden Academy), Owen Card (Lincoln Academy), Asher Valentine (Hampden Academy), and Sam Tooley (Camden Hills) - stayed within striking distance. Midway through the race, Valentine surged forward to join the leaders and pressed the pace, forming a small breakaway with Giampaolo. The two opened a slight gap over Bergmark and Riggs, with Borden just behind.
Over the final 800 meters, Giampaolo proved strongest, pulling away to secure the win in 16:33. Valentine held off a late charge from Riggs, finishing in 16:36 to Riggs' 16:37, while Bergmark crossed just behind in 16:39. Borden placed fifth in 16:45 to round out a strong showing for Edward Little.
Owen Card (Lincoln Academy) followed in 17:11, Calvin Vincent (Edward Little) ran 17:19, and Gunnar Weil (Hampden Academy) closed hard to take eighth in 17:21. Sam Tooley (Camden Hills) was next in 17:23, with Jack Scott (Hampden Academy) completing the top ten in 17:37.
Enzo Giampaolo earned the KVAC Class A individual title, while Levi Riggs claimed the Class B crown.
In the team standings, Hampden Academy dominated Class A with 48 points, finishing 33 points ahead of runner-up Bangor, while Camden Hills placed third with 89. In Class B, Lincoln Academy cruised to victory with 36 points, followed by Morse (62) and Waterville (112).
