Fast relays were the theme last week as the Scarborough girls set an unofficial state record in the 800-meter sprint medley at the Scarborough Relays and the York boys ran a state-leading time in the 4×400 relay at a Western Maine Conference meet, breaking a 25-year-old school record.

Scarborough’s record was in a seldom-run event.

The team of Andrea Tolman, Cailley Ledue, Catherine Bailey and Nicole Kirk finished in 1 minute, 52.5 seconds, beating the mark of 1:53.7 set by Biddeford in 1995.

The Red Storm also improved their state-leading time in the 4×400-meter relay to 4:08.9. Coach Ron Kelly thinks the state record of 4:00.90, set by Scarborough in 2009, is well within reach.

“We haven’t had all our fastest quarter-milers together yet this year. Basically, one girl can take 8 seconds off (our time),” Kelly said.

That would be Tolman, who is also a pole vaulter. Tolman is ranked ninth in the state in the vault with her height of 9-foot-6, but she also ran a 61-second leg on the 4×400 relay indoors.

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Scarborough could go under the 4-minute mark Friday at the Cumberland County championship at South Portland High. If the Red Storm do pull off the feat, it won’t be the first time. Their 2009 relay team ran 3:58.47 during the season, though that time isn’t recognized as an official state record because it wasn’t at a state meet.

“We’ve got a shot at it Friday. There won’t be competition, but these kids run without competition. They’re highly motivated,” Kelly said.

YORK’S BOYS’ 4X400 team of Tucker Corbett, Joe Vogel, Tom Rasche and Tyler Martin ran a time of 3:30.5, seconds ahead of the next-fastest time in the state this year.

THE CORPS of sprinters on Class A boys’ teams this spring could turn the 4×100 relay into a dogfight at the state meet.

“A lot of schools don’t run their best until the championships. Several could win it. Several are within a second,” Thornton Coach George Mendros said.

“Right now, Sanford is the best, but when you factor in handoffs, anybody could win it.”

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The Trojans rely on two freshmen but are still in the hunt.

Between Sanford’s state-leading time of 44.85 and Thornton’s 45.74, there are six other schools.

Thornton features freshmen Andrew Smith and Derek Boissonnault, senior Chris Walker and junior Tsz Tai Yuen.

Many SMAA teams may roll out their best relay units Saturday at the York County championships at Thornton Academy.

“This week is a rivalry week. It’s for bragging rights,” Mendros said.

KATE HALL is just a freshman, but the Lake Region star in the sprints and jumps is still leading the state in all classes in her three events: the 100, 200 and long jump.

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Hall has dominated the events at two Western Maine Conference meets this spring.

She burst onto the high school scene early, posting the leading long-jump mark at the start of the indoor season.

She won three events at the Class B indoor state meet, a rare feat for a freshman.

She won the 55-meter dash, the 200 and the long jump.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at: dfleming@pressherald.com

Twitter: FlemingPph

 


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