It was a big day for Maine runners at the Manchester Invitational. In the girls small school race, Aleta Looker finished 1st, with Greely's Kirsten Sandreuter in 2nd, and her teammate Eva Bates in 3rd. In the boys small school race, Dan Curts edged Silas Eastman as both were timed in 15:42, the times were the fastest of the meet 3 races.
Girls Small School
Individual Results | Team Results | Photos
Aleta Looker, a junior from Ellsworth ran in a pack of 6-7 girls early on during the race. At the mile mark, Looker & Greely standout Kirstin Sandreuter took command of the race. Looker & Sandreuter traded off the lead over the next 1 1/2 miles opening up a gap on the rest of the field.With about 800m to go Aleta made the decisive move that would earn her the victory, as she crossed in 19:17. the time ended up being the 5th fastest overall during the meet. Kirstin would hold on her for second 19:22, while her teammate Eva Bates worked her way up to 3rd for a Maine sweep (19:23)
Greely was the top Maine team as the Rangers finished 5th overall, Freeport placed 12th, Ellsworth 17th, Merriconeag Waldorf 21st, Fryeburg 25th
Looker on winning
"I was so surprised! I actually made a deal with some friends before the race that if I got top 10 then they would buy me icecream after I finished, so I was excited for that especially!"
Boys Small School Race
Individual Results | Team Results | Photos
In what may have been a preview of the Class B state meet in 5 weeks, Dan Curts of Ellsworth squared off against Silas Eastman of Fryeburg in a epic battle that saw Curts get a small gap with 200m to go which was enough for the junior to hold on for a .5 second win, both athletes were timed in 15:42. Crazy to think that the last time these guys race head to head was the 2 Mile at the Class B outdoor track state championships where Eastman got the better of Curts by the narrowiest of margins, .23 seconds to be exact. The two won't meet again until the state championships but if this was the preview of what is to come in October, we are in for a treat.
At the mile there were a pack of 10 runners bunched together, as they hit the hill just past the mile, Eastman using his strength made a move to put a small gap of the rest of the field. Jack Pierce of Merriconeag was in the 3rd spot, with Curts back in 4th. Curts said of Eastman's move "I was gapped a little at the top of the hill, but then refocused and caught back up." Once up the hill Eastman & Curts started their battle with eachother as they battled with Eastman leading & Curts stalking him like a cat. "I just tried to sit on him", Curts said.
The two would open up a gap on Jeremy Brassard (Coe-Brown) & Pierce as they continue to cruise at the front. They approached the finish line stride for stride, but with 200 meters to go Curts made the first move, Eastman responded but wouldn't have enough. Curts would hold on for the win as both athletes where timed in 15:42. Pierce would run a brillant race setting a new lifetime best of 16:09. Also running a strong race was senior Nate Madeira of Greely who ran to a 7th place finish (16:29). Having the race of his life was Robert Looker of Ellsworth, Looker finished 13th running 16:50, his previous personal best was 18:05
Ellsworth was the top Maine team as they finished 4th overall just 7 points out of 2nd. Fryeburg Academy was 6th, Freeport 12th, Greely 17th, Merriconeag Waldorf 22nd, North Yarmouth 27th, & York 28th
Girls Large School
Individual Results | Team Results | Photos
Jocelyn Acheson of Massabesic was the top Maine finisher in 11th, covering the 5k course in 20:02. Laura Broderick of Kennebunk placed 21st overall in 20:39.
Boys Large School
Individual Results | Team Results | Photos
Massabseic the #6 ranked team in the state showed they are for real with a strong 4th place finish. The Mustangs were led by senior Cody Vachon who placed 11th (16:54), he was followed by George Morrison in 29th (17:22), then came sophomores Michael Aboud 33rd (17:27) & Remi Gaetjens 42nd (17:36), rounding out the scoring 5 was Andrew Mongiat 55th (17:49)
Boys Freshman Race
Chandler Vincent of Freeport led all Maine runners with a runner-up finish in the boys freshman 2 Mile race at Manchester. Vincent averaged 5:49 pace for the race for a final time of 11:37. He was just 7 seconds behind the race winner Brook Moreau of Mt. Mansfield, VT.