Girls Individual Preview
Abbey Leonardi (Kennebunk)
The meet record holder & defending champion will be shooting for the win, as well as take a shot at the course record. It's hard to believe but this will be Abbey's last time running on the course at Belfast. The course is held by Cassie HIntz (Old Town) 17:52.6 set in 2004. Abbey's has shown great fitness in the races she has run this fall including a fine 18:25 performance @ Massabesic. She is coming off a fast 17:15 road 5k from last wekeend at the Eliot Festival race. If anyone is going to take down the record it'll be Leonardi.
2011 Performances
| 5000m | 21:12.90 | SMAA: McAuley, Noble, Kennebunk @ Scarborough |
| 5000m | 18:25.00 SB | SMAA: Cheverus, Bonny Eagle, Kennebunk @ Massabesic |
Erzsebet Nagy (Lawrence)
Nagy will be running in her first FOC this year. She has made a splash this fall in her first XC campaign. Erzsebet has run 18:28 for 5k this fall, and is coming off a little scare with dehydration during her last meet. We'll have to watch to see if she is fully recovered, but if so she'll be at the front pushing for a fast time, and a top 5 finish.
2011 Performances
| 5000m | 20:55.00 | KVAC: Law, Mess, Wtv, Ban, Skow @ Maine Central Institute |
| 5000m | 18:28.88 PR | KVAC: Lin, EL, Law, CH, Ersk, Bel. Ocean @ Medomak Valley |
| 5000m | 19:36.09 | KVAC: OH, Gar, Brw, Brun, Con, Mar, MB, Ban, MCI @ Lawrence |
| 5000m | 20:21.40 | KVAC: Lawrence, Messalonskee, MCI @ Mt Blue |
| 2.xMile | 15:30.02 PR | Laliberte Invitational |
Bethanie Brown (Waterville)
Brown is also a newcomer to XC this fall, & will be running in her first FOC. Bethanie has had immediate success this fall, including a personal best 20:07.9 last weekend. This course should be a good fit for Brown's track speed, she's ready to challeneg for a top 5 finish in her first FOC.
2011 Performances
| 5000m | 20:07.90 PR | KVAC: Law, Mess, Wtv, Ban, Skow @ Maine Central Institute |
| 5000m | 21:33.00 | KVAC: Skow, Gar, Lew, Wtv, MCI, Win @ Messalonskee |
| 5000m | 20:32.00 | KVAC: Hampden, Messalonskee, Winslow @ Waterville |
Abby Mace (Maranacook)
Mace is healthy once again, and has been dropping some fast times this fall. Her 20:09 on a tough Cony last week indictaes she's ready for a sub 19 performance at Belfast. Mace holds meet AT #5 performance 18:36.4 from back in 2009. If Abby can match that run she'll be in the top group for sure. Mace vs Brown could be a preview of the top 2 at the state meet later this month at Twin Brook
2011 performances
| 5000m | 20:09.25 | KVAC: Gar, Bel, Brew, Leav, Hamp, CH, Mar @ Cony |
| 5000m | 19:59.00 SB | KVAC: Oxford Hills, Maranacook, Mt. Blue @ Leavitt |
| 5000m | 20:07.00 | KVAC: Lincoln, Oxford Hills, Leavitt, Brunswick @ Maranacook |
Willow Parker (Camden Hills)
Parker just a freshman has made quite an impact in her rookie campiagn. Willow has already run under 20 minutes on the Belfast course early this fall. She has her team set to make a run at the team title as well, her best time for 5k on the year is a 18:59.43 run @ Medomak Valley
2011 Performances
| 5000m | 20:49.46 | KVAC: Gar, Bel, Brew, Leav, Hamp, CH, Mar @ Cony |
| 5000m | 18:59.43 PR | KVAC: Lin, EL, Law, CH, Ersk, Bel. Ocean @ Medomak Valley |
| 5000m | 19:56.37 | KVAC: Ersk, Mor, Med, Lin, Ocean, CH @ Belfast |
| 5000m | 19:23.74 | KVAC: Medomak, Camden Hills, Mt Ararat @ Oceanside |
Nyajock Pan (South Portland)
Pan is known to start the season slow and come on strong at the end. She seems to be turning it up a notch already clocking a 20:18 5k last week, and defetaing Charlotte Pierce (TA) on Wednesday. Pan hasn't run in the FOC before but did clock a 19:14 at the Class A state meet last fall on the same course.
2011 Performances
| 5000m | 20:18.00 SB | SMAA: South Portland, Kennebunk @ Gorham |
| 5000m | 22:38.00 | SMAA: South Portland, Scarborough @ Massabesic |
| 2.xMile | 17:34.66 PR | Laliberte Invitational |
Brittany Bowman (Camden Hills)
Bowman has stated she's aiming to beat her personal best on the course of 19:31.76, which was run last year at EM Regionals. Brittany finished 9th overall last fall as a freshman, finishing 2nd in the freshman race. She has run 20:12 on the course this fall.
| 5000m | 21:33.91 | KVAC: Gar, Bel, Brew, Leav, Hamp, CH, Mar @ Cony |
| 5000m | 19:17.69 PR | KVAC: Lin, EL, Law, CH, Ersk, Bel. Ocean @ Medomak Valley |
| 5000m | 20:12.62 | KVAC: Ersk, Mor, Med, Lin, Ocean, CH @ Belfast |
| 5000m | 19:38.20 | KVAC: Medomak, Camden Hills, Mt Ararat @ Oceanside |
Aleta Looker (Ellsworth)
Looker has been outstanding in 2011 winning each time she has toed the line. Here latest victory was a seasonal best 19:45.53 for 5k @ Sectional Championships. Aleta finished 12th overall last year as a freshman at FOC, she would go on to finish 4th in the Class B state meet. Looker thinks top 20 would be a reasonable goal, but expect her to be in the top 10 maybe even higher on Saturday.
2011 Performances
| 5000m | 19:45.53SB | Sectional XC Invitational |
| 2.xMile | 16:46.80PR | PVC: Bucks, Ells, Sears, Sum, Wash Acad @ George Stevens |
| 5000m | 20:21.00 | Presque Isle Invitational |
| 3Mile | 20:20.00SB | Ellsworth Invitational |
Jamie Thomas (Harwood, VT)
Thomas is one of top runners in VT, she placed 4th in D2 State meet last fall as a freshman. Thomas is coming off a strong run @ Burlington Invite where she ran 19:52.2
Carsyn Koch (Washburn)
Koch is running well early on this fall, she suprised everyone at the end of the 2010 season that ended with a Class C state championships. Carsyn didn't run FOC last fall, she did run 19:36.5 on the Belfast course in the state meet. She tends to run better with top competition, look for Koch to go with the lead packs.
2011 Performances
| 5000m | 20:54.00 | Aroostook Invitational |
| 5000m | 20:47.00SB | Presque Isle Invitational |
| 2.xMile | 22:21.00PR | Fort Kent XC Meet |
Other runners to watch
Mackenzie Belyea (Caribou)
Laura Broderick (Kennebunk)
Elizabeth Labun (Hampden Academy)
Kylee Parker (Hampden Academy)
Addie Cullenberg (Mt. Blue)
Teresa Murphy (Brunswick)
Madeline Roberts (Falmouth)
Molly Schassberger (Winslow)