The Maine distance scene is loaded with talent this season. From athletes dominating a single event to others putting up numbers across two or even all three events, this group represents some of the best the sport and state have to offer.
Here's a look at the top boys distance runners to know right now.
Top Returning Distance Runners:
Henri Rivard (Marshwood): the defending Class A 800 champion is back, looking to add more titles this spring. After an excellent indoor season that saw him win the mile and 800 at the state meet and then the New England title in the mile, Rivard established himself as the best distance runner in the state this winter. He'll be looking to beat his personal bests of 1:55.50 (800M) and 4:28.65 (1600m).
Atticus Merriam (Scarborough): Merriam was the runner-up as a sophomore in both the 1600m and 3200m at the Class A state meet. He ran 4:20.69 for 1600m and 9:35.30 for 3200m. Indoors, he was fifth in both the mile and the 2-mile before finishing his season with a sixth place in the mile at New Englands.
Ellis Wood (Deering): the fastest returning 3200m runner in the state, Wood will look to defend his Class A title this spring. Last spring, he clocked 9:12.62 to finish fifth at the New England Championship; the time was the tenth fastest in state history. Indoors, Wood was the runner-up in the mile (4:19.78) and 2-mile champion, and placed fifth in the mile at New Englands. He clocked a 2-mile best of 9:17.30 this winter.
Levi Riggs (Morse): Riggs was the Class B 800m runner-up last spring in a personal best 1:55.67 and leads all returners statewide in the event.
Alex Gilbert (Freeport): the top returner in Class B in the 1600m and 3200m from a year ago, Gilbert will look to improve on his runner-up finishes in both events at the state meet this spring. He clocked 4:22.79 in the 1600m and 9:44.60 for 3200m a year ago. Indoors, Alex won the mile and was the runner-up in the 800m and 3200m at the Class B state meet.
Alfie Cognata (Winthrop): Cognata ran 1:58.34 for 800m and 4:35.79 for 1600m last spring. He had a breakthrough indoor season that saw him place second in the 800m at the Class A state meet in a personal best 1:56.66
Ryan Bolduc (Thornton Academy): A junior, Bolduc placed third in the 1600m (4:21.50) last spring at the A state meet. He matched that finish in the mile indoors (4:25.84) and ran 2:00.79 for 800m.