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:
Rowan Barry (Greely HS): Barry won the Class B 800m title last spring (2:13.60) and was runner-up in 1600 (4:51.28) and 3200m (11:12.68). She went on to place fourth in the 800m at the New England Championship meet. She didn't compete during the indoor season this past winter due to an injury. The senior will compete for Cornell University next fall.
Laurel Driscoll (Scarborough HS): The Red Storm standout won the Class A 1600m (4:54.0) last spring and was runner-up in the 3200m (11:00.05). During the indoor season, she was runner-up in the mile and 800m and third in the two-mile at states. She finished third in the 1600 at the New England Championship last spring and was third indoors in the mile this winter. The senior will compete for the University of New Hampshire.
Margaret Tripp (Thornton Academy) Tripp won the Class A 3200m last spring (10:49.77). She leads all returners statewide in the event. Indoors, she was the 3200m runner-up at states. The senior will compete for the University of Maine next fall.
Zoe Carroll (York HS): Last year Carroll finished third in the 800m at the Class B state meet (2:14.96) and third in the 3200m. Indoors, she won the mile and was third in the 800m and 2-mile at states. Carroll finished fifth in the mile at the New England Championship this winter. She will compete for Northwestern University next fall.
Nora Schmidt (Portland HS): Just a freshman, Schmidt has made a big impact in her first year of high school, already winning the Class A cross-country title in the fall, and then the A 2-mile this winter. She ran a best of 10:59.09 for two miles and 5:12.29 for the mile indoors.
Georgia Moon (Falmouth HS): Moon was fourth in the Class A 800m last spring and fifth in the 1600m. She took her running to another level this winter, winning the Class A mile (4:58.35) and finishing third in the 800m. She just missed the podium in the 1000m at New England's, finishing seventh.
Paige Alexander (Cheverus HS): The junior was third in the Class A 1600m last spring (5:00.05) and the 800m (2:19.07). After being for most of the indoor season, Alexander finished the season strong with a third-place finish in the mile at the state meet.
Lucy Huggett (Freeport HS): Huggett finished third in the Class B 1600m and was fourth in both the 800m and 3200m races at state last spring. She clocked personal bests of 2:17.19 (800m), 5:05.53 (1600m), and 11:12.16 (3200m) a year ago.