Girl's XC State Championship Meet Preview

Class A Girls State Championship Preview: All Eyes on Schmidt as the Field Heads to Cony

The Class A State Cross Country Championships head to Cony High School on Saturday - marking the first time the Augusta course has hosted the state's biggest meet. That could give the northern Maine athletes an edge, many of whom have raced the course earlier this fall.

But all eyes will be on freshman phenom Nora Schmidt of Portland, who has been unstoppable over the past month. Schmidt captured the Festival of Champions title in an impressive 17:47 and followed that up with a dominant Southern Regional win at Twin Brook in 18:28. Known for her fearless front-running style, Schmidt isn't afraid to push the pace early - and so far, no one has been able to match her.

Falmouth junior Georgia Moon looks to challenge after an outstanding season that includes a runner-up finish at FOC (18:12) and another second-place effort at Regionals (18:50).

From the north, Hampden Academy junior Addison Elliott brings momentum and course familiarity. The KVAC and Northern Regional champion ran 19:30 to win at Cony two weeks ago and followed with an 18:31 at Regionals. Elliott, last year's state runner-up, is the top returner and could be the one best positioned to test Schmidt.

Cheverus junior Allie Schmitt is peaking at the right time, running a personal-best 18:54 for third at the Southern Regional - 14 seconds faster than her Festival of Champions effort at Belfast. Schmitt, fifth at states last year, appears ready to climb the podium.

Another podium threat is Scarborough senior Laurel Driscoll, who ran a personal-best 19:09 at Twin Brook for fourth at Regionals - three seconds faster than her time from last year's state meet, where she placed third.

Rounding out the contenders, Hampden Academy senior Gretchen Plant - the Northern Regional runner-up in 18:59 - returns after finishing eighth at last year's championship.

With a mix of emerging stars and seasoned veterans, and a brand-new championship course in play, Saturday's race at Cony is shaping up to be a great race.

Class A Girls Team Championship Preview: A Wide-Open Battle for the Crown

The race for the Class A Girls Team Championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with several programs capable of claiming the top spot.

Portland, ranked #2 and led by individual favorite Nora Schmidt, enters the meet with momentum after capturing the Southern Maine Regional title by six points over defending state champion Falmouth. The Bulldogs are chasing the first team title in school history and looking to improve on last year's runner-up finish.

In the north, #4 Hampden Academy dominated the Northern Maine Regional, winning by 21 points over #7 Camden Hills. Like Portland, the Broncos are seeking their first-ever team championship.

While Falmouth and Hampden Academy rely on strong performances from their front-runners, Portland's advantage lies in its tight 3-5 pack, separated by just 10 seconds at Regionals - a difference that could prove decisive.

With little separating the top contenders, expect the team title to be decided by single digits in what promises to be a thrilling showdown at Cony High School.

The Class B girls' race at Cony High School is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

Greely senior Rowan Barry appears to be back in peak form after battling through a midseason lull. She's coming off back-to-back wins at the WMC Championship and the Southern Maine Regional (19:02) and looks poised to contend for her first state title after placing fourth a year ago.

Karen Higgins, a junior from Lincoln Academy, has been remarkably consistent all fall. The KVAC Champion (19:22 at Cony) finished runner-up to Barry at Regionals (19:15) and will be eager to challenge again on a course she knows well. She was the Class C runner-up a year ago.

Freeport senior Lucy Huggett has also been trending upward, finishing second at WMCs and third at Regionals (19:32). She placed fourth at states last year and remains firmly in the mix for a podium finish.

Don't overlook Zoe Carroll of York, the defending state champion. The multi-sport standout has split time between cross country and soccer this season, but when she races, she's dangerous-her last outing produced a third-place finish at the Festival of Champions in 18:12.

From the North, Kulani Granholm of MDI enters on a hot streak. The sophomore won both the PVC and Northern Maine Regional titles, improving her time on the FOC course by 21 seconds to clock 19:14.

With a mix of returning veterans and emerging stars, Saturday's race promises to be a thriller from start to finish.

Featured Teams: #1 Freeport, #3 Mt. Desert Island, #9 Greely, #10 Cape Elizabeth

Clash of the Titans: Freeport and MDI Set for Class B Showdown

The Freeport Falcons have been the team to beat all season long. They've claimed victories at the state's two premier invitationals-the Southern Maine Classic and the Festival of Champions-before adding the WMC Conference and Southern Maine Regional titles to their impressive résumé. Despite owning four Class C state crowns, the Falcons are still searching for their first championship in Class B, and Saturday could be the year they make history.

Standing firmly in their way is the defending champion Mt. Desert Island Trojans, a program that always rises to the occasion when the stakes are highest. MDI pushed Freeport to the limit at the Festival of Champions, finishing just six points behind. Since then, the Trojans have rolled to both the PVC and Northern Maine Regional titles, showcasing their depth with four runners placing among the top seven last weekend.

With both teams in top form and little separating them, the Class B title race at Cony High School has all the makings of a classic-expect a fierce, down-to-the-wire battle for the crown.

Orono senior Clara White enters Saturday's race as one of the favorites for the Class C state title. White has been on a tear late in the season, winning both the PVC Championship and the Northern Maine Regional last weekend in 19:01-her personal best and 29 seconds faster than her time at the Festival of Champions. A year ago, she finished fifth at states and is poised to improve on that performance.

Bryanna Hagopian of Madison has made a huge leap this fall. She claimed the MVC Championship and followed it up with a Southern Maine Regional victory in 19:59 at Twin Brook. Hagopian placed 16th at states last year, and in their head-to-head at FOC, White narrowly edged her by 12 seconds.

The rest of the field is deep and competitive. Hadley Smith (NYA), Leah Harper (Madison, 3rd at SM Regionals), and Andrea Ross (Houlton/GHCA, NM Regional runner-up) all bring strong credentials, while McKenzie Boyle (Dirigo), Ellie Arsenault (Orono), and Grace Alexander (Waynflete) are other contenders who could shake up the top spots.

With a mix of established leaders and emerging talent, Saturday's race promises to be a thrilling battle for the Class C crown.

The Waynflete Flyers enter Saturday's race as defending state champions and the team to beat. The season hasn't been without challenges, as expected, top runners Paige Alexander and Lucy Olsen have battled injuries. Still, led by Grace Alexander, the Flyers remain loaded with talent-evidenced by three athletes finishing in the top ten at last weekend's Southern Maine Regional.

Orono, which won six consecutive state titles before last year's streak ended, had high hopes but suffered a setback when its #1 runner, Maya Boyington, went down with an injury just after the Festival of Champions. Even without her, the Red Riots boast a deep roster and will be eager to challenge Waynflete for the crown.

Rounding out the top contenders, Maine Coast Waldorf and NYA are poised to battle for podium spots, making Saturday's Class C state championship a race full of intrigue and potential surprises.