Leeman Races To Top 15 Finish In Belfast’s Festival Of Champions

Over 1000 runners converged in Belfast Saturday to compete in the Festival of Champions cross country race. Awards were presented to the top 20 runners in the seeded division.

Lincoln Academy’s Nikki Leeman placed 15th in 20:28 to earn a medal in the girls’ division. Medomak’s Gwen Moiles missed medalling by one spot, and Kiana Ocean by three. LA’s Katrina Belle placed 10th in the unseeded division to earn a medal. Belle placed 180th overall.

There were six races on the day freshmen, unseeded and the seeded races in boys’ and girls’ divisions. Heavy rains created slick conditions for the last races of the day, in the elite seeded division.

Boys’ resultsThere were 47 teams and 563 runners that finished the boys’ race, won by Will Geoghegan of Brunswick in 15:33. Scarborough won the boys’ race. Medomak took 27th, Lincoln 36th and Wiscasset 42nd.

Patrick O’Donnell led the Panthers with a 32nd place finish in 17:25. Also running for Medomak were: 102. Josh Parmenter, 18:31; 166. Andrew Allen, 19:07; Stefan Nichols, 19:49; 310. Mike Gilman, 20:33; 339. Nick Anderson, 20:51; 364. Brendan O’Donnell, 21:12; 368. Taylor Packard, 21:13; 392. Vinny Vannah, 21:29; and 523. Ben Paxson, 24:40.

Gary Ward led the Eagles, taking 42nd in 17:36. Also running for Lincoln were: 210. Alex Benner, 19:31; 280. Steven Severance, 20:19; 406. Shawn Grooms, 21:37; 407. Wyatt Ray, 21:38; 411. Dylan York, 21:43; 478. Tim Leeman, 23:04; 519. Daniel Mayer, 24:34; and 547. Matt Poland, 25:49.

Brad Whitaker was the top Wiscasset finisher, placing 143rd in 18:54, followed by 272. John Chapman, 20:09; Gage Mumbower, 21:19; 402. Ryan Urquart, 21:36; 431. Joe Chapman 21:59; and 443. Kyle Shute, 22:12.Girls’ resultsThirty-six girls’ teams and 435 runners competed in the girls’ division of the Festival of Champions. Abby Mace of Maranacook won in 18:36. Chevrus won the team competition, Medomak placed 7th with 257 points and Lincoln 21st with 591.

Nikki Leeman placed 15th in 20:28 to lead Lincoln. Also running for the Eagles were 108. Hannah Fake, 22:22; 180. Katrina Belle, 23:27; 196. Allison Fisher, 23:45; 202. Celia Howland, 23:54; and 340. Katie Williams, 26:58.

Gwen Moiles led Medomak, taking 21st in 20:39; followed by 23. Kiana Ocean, 20:46; 48. Megan Wyllie, 21:29; 63. Nicole Weaver, 21:45; 115. Heidi Harris, 22:30; 131. Alyssa Griggs, 22:40; 166. Jocelyn Thames, 23:06; 192. Jordan Hopkins, 23:42; 293. Maddie Bodine, 25:37; 304. Missy Philbrook, 25:52; 318. Bailey Black, 26:20; 323. Abbie Vail, 26:29; and 357. Ashley Luce, 27:34.

Wiscasset did not have enough participants to register a team score. Heidi Pinkham placed 177th in 23:24; Crysta Brown 217th in 24:08; and Alyssa Urquhart 422nd in 32:14.