Class A Boys State meet preview
The boys Class A State meet should be excellent with SMAA champ, Cheverus & KVAC runner-up Brunswick likely battling it out for supremacy, with several other teams waiting in the wings if they falter. Brunswick won the indoor title while Cheverus was the runner-up. Coming into the meet the Stags are a slight favorite based on the seeds.
Cheverus will be looking to win the Class A title for the first time since 1998. The Stags will rely heavily on their throwers who are seeded for 49 points. Seniors John White #1 seed in shot put (54-2 ½), while classmate Beau Michaud, who missed last week’s Southwestern meet with a sore back, is the #1 seed in the discus (155-6). White is the #2 seed in discus, and Michaud is the #2 seed in the shot. Cheverus is also seeded to score in all 3 relays with the 4x400 (3:29.5) holding down the #1 seed, the 4x800 team is the #2 seed, but ran that time without Andrew Snyder, who could make between a 7-10 second difference, the 4x100 team is seeded 5th. The Stags will need a strong showing from their distance runners: Jack Terwilliger (pictured above) is the #3 seed in 3200 and #5 seed in the 1600, Tim Woods is the #3 seed in the 400, Andrew Snyder is the #6 seed in the 800, while Taylor Dundas is #6 seed in 3200 & #7 seed in 1600m.
The Dragons of Brunswick will be looking to win the outdoor title for the first time since 1996, and 
add to the indoor title they won this winter. Brunswick’s chances rely heavily on the legs of distance ace Will Geoghegan (pictured right), who will attempt to win all 3 individual distance races as he did during the indoor season, The Dartmouth bound senior is the #1 seed in all three races, he is also anchor leg on the #1 ranked 4x800 team. If Geoghegan can win all 3 indiviudal races, he will further solidify his name is Maine distance running history. Pole vaulter Mike Slovenski, the #1 seed (14-3) will look to add an outdoor state title to the one he claimed indoors. Other keys for the Dragons will be hurdler Kenzell Crawford, the #4 seed in the 110’s & #6 seed in the 300’s, distance runner Liam Cassidy #2 seed in the 3200 & #6 in the 1600m, sprinter Matt Hatke the #3 seed in the 100m & #5 seed in the 200m, and jumper/800m man Mitchell Black #7 seed in the triple jump and 800m. If the meet comes down to the final event, Brunswick has a strong 4x400 holding the #3 seed.
The Rams of Gorham will be one of the teams to watch. The keys for Gorham will be the success of sprinter/jumper Jake Willis. Willis won the 100m/200m/LJ at the Southwesterns last week. He comes into the state meet seeded #2 in the 100m, #2 in the LJ, & #5 in the 100m. UMO bound senior sprinter Cam Stevens will be another athlete to watch for, Stevens is the #1 seed in the 400m, and comes into the meet as the defending champion. Javelin thrower Eric Sawyer is the #2 seed, as is pole vaulter Mark Walrath. The racewalk could be a key event for the Rams, as they placed 2-3 at the Southwesterns, the Rams have the #7, #8, & #9 seeds.
The host team Cony has a strong squad that will be looking to make some noise on their home turf. The Rams come into the meet with the #1 ranked 4x100 (44.36). Additionally sprinter Corey Clarke (pictured left in red speedsuit), the KVAC champion at 100 & 200 is the #1 seed in the 200m & #2 seed in the 100m. 300m hurdler Rick Orio comes into the meet with the top time this spring. UMiami bound senior Luke Fontaine is the #3 seed in the 1600m, and is the defending state champion in the event, he is also the #8 seed in the 800m.
Outside of the team competition there should be some outstanding performances. In the 4x800 the state record is 8:02.41, Cheverus just missed last year and will be gunning for the time, Brunswick is close as well and could make a run at it too. All eyes will be on high jumper Patrick Ciez, as he will have a shot at the state record of 6-10 ¼, Ciez has a best of 6-8 this season. Aside from the HJ, Ciez is the #2 seed in the 110 hurdles, & the #5 seed in both the long/triple jump. Watch out for Brewer senior Steven Rice, who is the only athlete in the 110m hurdle field under 15 seconds this spring, additionally Rice is the #2 seed in the 300m hurdles, and run a leg on Brewer’s 5th rank 4x400 relay. Bangor’s Ben Sinclair is the #1 seed in the 100m, #5 seed in the 400m & 200m. The triple jump could be one of the best events with 10 athletes who have jumped over 41 ft, the pack is lead by EL’s Ricardo Hairston. The discus is another event to keep your eyes on 4 guys come in seeded over 150ft, including the Cheverus Stags with the top three distances achieved this spring.
