Class A
Featured Athletes: #2 Henri Rivard (Marshwood), #3 Sam Bergmark (Bangor), #4 Ellis Wood (Deering), #5 Asher Valentine (Hampden Academy), #8 Atticus Merriam (Scarborough), #9 Enzo Giampaolo (Lewiston), #10 Harper Borden (Edward Little)
Seven Contenders, One Crown: Class A Boys Set for Epic Battle at Cony
The Class A boys' race at Cony High School has all the ingredients for a thriller, featuring seven of the top-ranked runners in Maine battling for individual glory.
Henri Rivard of Marshwood enters riding a wave of momentum after a dominant performance at the Southern Maine Regional, where he ran 16:13 at Twin Brook to capture the win in wire-to-wire fashion. The senior's bold "catch-me-if-you-can" strategy paid off last week, and it'll be interesting to see if he dares to use it again against the deepest field of the year. Rivard placed sixth at states last fall and looks primed to improve on that.
From the North, Bangor junior Sam Bergmark is coming off his best race of the season, winning the Northern Maine Regional title in 15:57 at Belfast. He's been in strong form over the past two weeks, including a third-place finish at the KVAC Championship at Cony (16:39), which gives him valuable experience on the state meet course.
Ellis Wood of Deering has battled back from an early-season injury and appears to be rounding into top form at just the right time. The senior finished runner-up at the SM Regional in 16:26, a major step forward after limited racing early on. A year ago, he placed fifth at states and should once again be among the front-runners.
Another athlete peaking at the right time is Asher Valentine of Hampden Academy, who has put together an outstanding postseason. He finished runner-up at both the KVAC (16:36) and Northern Regional (16:02) meets and placed seventh at last year's state championship.
Atticus Merriam, the Scarborough junior, took third at the SM Regional (16:56) and will look to bounce back from that result. He was instrumental in his team's state title run last fall, finishing third individually, and could once again be a key factor up front.
Lewiston senior Enzo Giampaolo will be eager for redemption after an uncharacteristic fourth-place finish at Regionals (16:25). Two weeks earlier, he surged to victory at the KVAC Championship on this same Cony course in 16:33, using his trademark finishing kick. Expect him to be in contention late.
Rounding out the featured contenders is Harper Borden of Edward Little, who continues to climb the ranks. The senior placed fourth at KVACs and improved to third at the NM Regional (16:15), a massive leap from his 36th-place state finish a year ago.
With so many talented runners converging in peak form, the Class A individual title is truly up for grabs-and Saturday's race at Cony promises to deliver fireworks from start to finish.
Featured Teams: #2 Portland, #3 Hampden Academy, #6 Camden Hills, #7 Gorham, #8 Scarborough, #10 Bangor
Portland and Hampden Academy Lead Deep Fields into Cony
The Class A Boys' State Championship at Cony High School is shaping up to be one of the most competitive team races in recent memory, featuring a deep field of ranked programs all capable of landing on the podium.
Leading the charge is #2 Portland, fresh off an impressive win at the Southern Maine Regional Championship. The Bulldogs have been steady and strong all fall, and after falling just one point short of the state title last season, they enter Saturday's race with unfinished business. With momentum and depth on their side, Portland looks poised to make another serious run at the crown.
From the north, #3 Hampden Academy has been equally dominant. The Broncos claimed both the KVAC Championship held on the same Cony course and the Northern Maine Regional title, showcasing their strength up front and their ability to perform in high-pressure meets. Historically, a team that shines when it matters most, Hampden Academy will be looking to challenge for the top spot once again.
#6 Camden Hills has quietly put together a strong postseason, finishing as runner-up at the Northern Maine Regional. The Windjammers have been closing the gap on the state's elite teams and could be in position for a breakthrough performance on Saturday.
Another team on the rise is #7 Gorham, a young but fast-improving squad that continues to impress as the season progresses. The Rams placed second at the Southern Maine Regional, just two points ahead of defending state champion Scarborough, who appear to be rounding into top form after one of their best performances of the year to place third.
Rounding out the ranked contenders, #10 Bangor finished third at the Northern Maine Regional and could make noise in the team standings with a strong pack performance.
With so many evenly matched squads and proven big-meet performers, Saturday's Class A boys' team championship promises to be a battle to the wire, where execution, depth, and composure will determine who walks away with the title.
Class B
Gilbert Leads Deep Field into Cony Showdown
The Class B Boys' State Championship at Cony High School is set to deliver an exciting race, with a mix of experienced seniors and rising underclassmen all chasing individual glory.
At the top of the list is Alex Gilbert, the undefeated senior from Freeport, who has been untouchable all season long. Gilbert has captured victories in all nine races he's entered this fall, including titles at both the WMC Championship and the Southern Maine Regional, where he clocked 16:16 at Twin Brook. A year ago, he placed third at states, and now he's firmly in position to bring home the Class B crown that narrowly eluded him last fall.
Looking to challenge Gilbert is Levi Riggs of Morse, ranked seventh in the state. The senior has been consistent and clutch this postseason, winning the Class B KVAC title and placing third overall on the same Cony course two weeks ago in 16:37. Riggs continued his strong form last weekend, finishing runner-up at the Southern Maine Regional in 16:35, just behind Gilbert. He was fifth in this meet a year ago and has the experience to push the pace again.
From the north, freshman sensation Pierce Gourneau of Caribou has burst onto the scene in impressive fashion. He claimed the PVC Championship two weeks ago in 16:35, then followed with a personal-best 16:40 to win the Northern Maine Regional at Belfast. With his rapid improvement and fearless racing style, Gourneau is a dark horse who could surprise the veterans.
Jackie Chalmers, a sophomore from Yarmouth, is another name to watch. He's been impressively consistent all season, finishing second at the WMC Championship and third at the Southern Maine Regional (16:50). After placing 19th at states a year ago, Chalmers looks ready to make a big leap in 2025.
Among other top contenders, Owen Card of Lincoln Academy (4th at the Southern Maine Regional) and Hayden Atkinson of York (5th at Regionals, 7th at states in 2024) are both seasoned runners capable of breaking into the top five. Don't overlook Bowen Mitchell of Yarmouth, a talented sophomore who didn't compete last year but has quickly become one of the region's top performers, finishing sixth at the Southern Maine Regional.
With Gilbert leading a field full of seasoned competitors and emerging stars, Saturday's Class B Boys' Championship promises to be one of the most exciting and competitive races of the day.
Photo by @flyingpoint
Featured Teams: #1 Yarmouth, #4 Freeport, #9 Caribou
Yarmouth Aims to End 30-Year Title Drought, Freeport Eyes Five-Peat
The Class B Boys' State Championship at Cony High School features one of the most intriguing team battles of the day, with powerhouse programs Yarmouth and Freeport set to clash once again for state supremacy.
Top-ranked Yarmouth enters as the clear favorite after a dominant season that has included wins at the Festival of Champions, Western Maine Conference Championship, and Southern Maine Regional. The Clippers have showcased both front-end strength and impressive depth, traits that make them the most complete team in the field. A victory on Saturday would mark the program's first-ever Class B state championship and the school's first state title overall since 1995, when they captured the Class C crown-ending a 30-year drought.
Standing in their way is longtime rival Freeport, ranked #4 and the four-time defending Class B state champion. The Falcons have consistently been right behind Yarmouth this fall, finishing runner-up at both the WMC Championship and Southern Maine Regional. To extend their streak to five consecutive titles, Freeport will need a near-perfect team effort and perhaps a breakout performance from their middle scorers.
From the North, #9 Caribou leads the charge after claiming the Northern Maine Regional title last weekend. The Vikings have proven themselves as the top team in their region and will look to mix it up with the southern powers for a top-three finish.
With Yarmouth seeking to make history and Freeport aiming to extend its dynasty, Saturday's Class B Boys' State Championship promises a compelling showdown between tradition and momentum.
Class C
Featured Athletes: #6 William Morris (Dirigo), Andrew Barrett (Orono), Alfie Cognata (Winthrop), Keenan Libby (Winthrop), Malachi Ganong (Lisbon), Craig Paine (Madison), Lukas Pounder (Narraguagus)
William Morris Leads Deep Field at Cony
The Class C Boys' State Championship at Cony High School promises an exciting showdown, with a mix of returning veterans and emerging stars all chasing individual glory.
At the top of the rankings is William Morris of Dirigo, currently ranked #6 in the state and the clear favorite. Morris has been dominant all fall, winning the Southern Maine Regional title last weekend in impressive fashion. He also finished fourth at the Maine Festival of Champions, narrowly missing the podium in a photo finish with a time of 15:58. A year ago, Morris placed fourth at states and will be looking to capture his first individual Class C title this weekend.
Andrew Barrett of Orono, a senior, is coming off a Northern Maine Regional victory in 16:59. Barrett also earned runner-up honors at the PVC Championship (17:00) and finished seventh at last year's state meet. He has the experience and consistency to challenge Morris in a tight race.
Another contender to watch is Alfie Cognata, a junior from Winthrop, who finished runner-up at the Southern Maine Regional last week (17:13) and also took second at the MVC Championship behind Morris. With a personal-best of 16:45 at the Festival of Champions, Cognata has the speed and form to make a move near the front. Last year, he finished fifth at states.
Kenan Libby of Winthrop, a senior in his first cross-country season, is rounding into peak form at the perfect time. He ran 17:29 to finish third at the Southern Maine Regional, improving his season-best by over 35 seconds. Malachi Ganong of Lisbon also clocked 17:30 last week at Twin Brook, a much better race after a seventh-place finish at the MVC Championship, signaling he could be a factor near the front.
From the North, Lukas Pounder of Narraguagus has also been in strong form, finishing runner-up at the Northern Maine Regional in 17:06. Pounder is improving at the right moment and should challenge the southern contingent for a top finish. Last year, he placed 12th at states.
Finally, watch for Houlton/GHCA athletes to have an impact in the individual race. Malachi Whitmer, fourth at the Northern Maine Regional, and Nathan Brady of Houlton have both performed at a high level this season and could play a pivotal role in the top ten or influence the team race scoring.
With talent spread across the state and several athletes peaking at the right time, Saturday's
Featured Teams: #5 Houlton/GHCA, Winthrop, Orono, Lisbon
Houlton/GHCA Looks to Capture First-Ever Team Title
Heading into Saturday's Class C Boys' State Championship at Cony High School, one team stands out as a serious contender for the crown: Houlton/Greater Houlton Christian Academy, ranked #5. They are searching for their first team title in school history, and last weekend's Northern Maine Regional showed why they could pull off the feat.
Houlton's depth was on full display as they finished 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th, with only 17 seconds separating their top six runners. Such consistent scoring across the pack makes them extremely difficult to beat and would make any upset on Saturday a tall order. Malachi Whitmer and Nathan Brady lead a balanced squad that combines experience with young talent, giving them both quality and depth.
The southern contingent will provide stiff competition. Winthrop, the Southern Maine champion, comes in with strong form and hopes of claiming the runner-up spot. However, they will have their hands full with challengers like Lisbon, Southern Maine runner-up last weekend, and Orono, Northern Maine runner-up, both of whom can pack a punch and influence the team standings.
With Houlton/GHCA firing on all cylinders and their history-making opportunity on the line, Saturday's Class C Boys' State Championship promises to be a compelling showdown of depth, strategy, and talent from across the state.