Girls SMAA Meet Preview
Top Teams
Thornton Academy
The Thornton Academy Golden Trojans enter the Southwestern Championship meet coming off an undefeated regular season, and are the favorites to repeat as team champions this weekend. TA is paced by a strong junior divison led by two talented freshman Carly McKenna ( #1 seed in jr hurdles 6.70, #2 seed in jr. 200 29.50, 4-10 HJ), #1 Jr. Relay team 1:56.50) & Amanda Arnold (tied #1 jr 40 5.4, #1 400 65.5. Additionally Thornton is seeded to score 14 points in the Jr. Shot put & another 18 points in the Sr. Shot put led by #1 seed Abby Huntress 37-0 3/4. The Girls 4x410yd relay is also ranked #1 with a time of 4:18.70.
Bonny Eagle
The Scots had a great regular season, losing just once all season. The Scots have a lot of top nothc talent capable of winning several events this weekend.Leading the charge is the Dostie sisters, Peyton (tied #1 HJ 5-2, #1 Sr. Hurdles 6.6,#2 Sr. 400 64.0) & Amber (#1 800m 2:27.6 & #1 Sr. Relay) add inSprinter Morgan Costa ( tied #1 jr. 40 5.4, #1 300yd 41.0) along with other top seeds for Bonny Eagle Mary Szatowski 2 mile 12:23 & Samantha Cox Jr. 800m 2:30.3, The Scots have the most #1 seeds of any team in the championship.
Scarborough
The Red Storm are a perninal top team, and this year is no different for the 6 time defending Class A champion. Headlining the lineup for Scarborough is junior division sprint star Morgan Rodway (tied #1 jr 40 5.4, & #1 Jr. 200 29.2, & #2 Jr. Relay) & Senior division sprint standout Nicole Kirk(tied #1 Sr. 40 5.4, #1 Sr. 200 28.9 & #3 Sr. Relay). Another top contributor for the Red Storm is senior Emilia Scheemaker (#2 Op 300, Sr. Hurdles 6.8, & HJ 4-10). Emily Tolman is also the #1 seed in the Open 600yd.
Others to Watch
Freshman Edie Pallozi (Deering) Mile 5:26.0 ranked #1 in Class A
Senior Maria Curit (Biddeford) the league record holder in the Sr. 400m 61.90 will look to lower her record time again
Portland sprinter Mary Nyembo - Sr. 40 5.4 & Sr. 200 29.1
Race of the Night
Sr. 400m Maria Curit (Biddeford) is the league record holder at 61.9 she'll take on Peyton Dostie (Bonny Eagle) 64.0. The two had an intense race last weekend in the 300yd as both athletes broke the 40.0 second barrier to join elite company in the history of the Expo. Curit edged Dostie 39.8 to 39.9, should be a great race to get the fans on their feet.
Boys SMAA Meet Preview
Top Teams
Scarborough
The Red Storm are coming off an undefeated regular season, and come into the meet as the defending champions. Scarborough has several athletes seeded at the top of their events. Leading the way for the Red Storm is Ryan Jamiosn (tied #1 Jr. 40 4.8 & Jr. 200 25.6), Joe Viola (#1 Op. 300 36.0), Robby Hall (#1 Jr. 800m 2:09.1, league record holder), Nick Morris (#1 Op. 600 1:21), Tom Hague (#1 Sr. 800 2:06.8), Orin James (Tied #1 HJ 6-0) & Scott Merrill (#1 Sr. 400 56.6). Additionally the relays are expected to be strong as well with the Sr. Relay holding down the top spot 2:17.6. The Storm have the firepower up front but it maybe their depth that could make the difference
Bonny Eagle
The Scots of Bonny Eagle come into the championship meet with a real shot to win the team title. The Scots are led by senior shot putter Nate Martel (#1 seed and Class A leader), along with a strong supporting cast. Bonny Eagle is ranked as the #1 seed in 3 events. Sophomore Tyson Goodale (tied #1 seed Jr. hurdles & #3 seed Jr 200) has had an outstanding season. Others expected to score big points for the Scots are Kyle Bailey (Sr. Hurdles, & Op. 300yd), Joey Collins (Sr 40 & Op. 600), & Freshman James Patchell (Jr. 400). Bonny Eagle is also ranked #1 in the Op. Relay & #2 in the Sr. Relay
Deering
The Rams were once again one of the top teams in the league losing just once during the regular season. Deering has several top end athletes who come into the meet with the top seed in 5 events. The following junior division athletes have or are tied for the #1 seed; Jared Bell (Jr Shot Put) & Ricardo Delgado (Jr Hurdles) while senior division sprint standout Renaldo Lowry (tied #1 Sr. 40 & #1 Sr. 200 24.6) & Carelton Allen (#1 Sr. Hurdler). The Rams always have strong relays and have a quality scorer in just about every event.
Others to Watch
Jack Terwilliger (Cheverus) has run 4:47.5 in the mile so far, expect a faster time as he preps for a run at the state title next week.
Jesse Orach (Gorham) is the #1 seed in the 2 mile by 23 seconds
Ethan Beaulier (Noble) one of the top Jr. sprinters undefeated at 40yd 4.8 this season, and tied league record in Jr. 200m 25.6, also runs a leg on the #1 Jr. relay team 1:06.1
Imadhi Zagon (Portland) Zagon tied for #1 jump in the HJ, #2 in the Sr. 200m 25.1, and runs on a strong Portland Op. Relay #2
Race of Night
The Open 600yd is a race most coaches and fans anticipate being one of the best of the night. Nick Morris (Scarborough) enters the race as the top seed, Morris has had a great winter, with Expo leader at (600yd, 800m, #2 400, & #3 2 MIle), he'll be pushed by Joey Collins (Bonny Eagle) one of the top all-around runners in the league (Collins has state qualifiers at 55m, 200m, 400m, 800m). John Hardy (Deering) is a another top competitor in the race, Hardy raced Morris back in week #2 clocking his 1:22 pushing him all the way to the line. Nate Bucknell (Gorham) is the 4th runner in the heat, his seed time is 1:23. Bucknell has shown good speed at 400m and strength in the 800m. The edge to the first corner would seem like the sprinter Collins has the edge, Morris has good speed, but is also the State XC champ so his best attribute may be his strength. Hardy will be right there as will Bucknell, we could be in for some fast times if they all go after it.