Both the Medomak boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams are headed to the State Class B championships, to be held at Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast on Saturday. The boys run at 2 p.m. and the girls at 2:45 p.m.
Medomak boys placed fourth at the East Class B championships in Belfast on Oct. 25 to qualify for the state meet. Caribou won the race with 57 points, followed by Ellsworth 89, MDI 128, Medomak 145, Belfast 145, Leavitt 191, Erskine 221, Winslow 228, John Bapst 234, Waterville 250, Presque Isle 258, Hermon 267, Gardiner 282, Rockland 295 and Old Town 3345. Erskine’s Sam Seekins won the race in 16:39, beating out Ellsworth’s Ben Chapman by 12 seconds.
Patrick O’Donnell led the Panthers with a sixth place finish in 17:18. Alex Goldrup placed 14th in 17:47. Both O’Donnell and Goldrup qualified for the State meet as individuals. Joshua Anderson placed 37th in 18:44, Caleb Philbrook 45th in 19:10, and Stefan Nicholls in 19:11 to complete the scoring five. Joe Murphy finished 60th in 19:38 and Quinton Vannah 72nd in 20:24.
In the girls’ race, the Lady Panthers placed sixth. MDI won with 68 points, beating out John Bapst by two points, Caribou 90, Ellsworth 96, Presque Isle 132, Medomak 174, Leavitt 203, Old town 201, Winslow 205, Waterville 246, Bucksport 265, Camden 336, and Erskine 344. Brianne Dunn of Ellsworth was the individual winner in 19:32.
Gwen Moiles led the Lady Panthers, placing 14th in 20:59. Moiles also qualified for states as an individual. Kiana Ocean placed 31st in 22:00, Jordan Hopkins 45th in 22:38, Alyssa Griggs 46th in 22:44, Erika Knutson 52nd in 23:02, Megan Wyllie 54th in 23:05, and Chelsea Wochomurka 66th in 23:48.
Gwen Moiles “had a great race. She has found her niche in running. She is comfortable and getting better every week. She is going to have a great career, and she is only a sophomore,” coach George Gould said.
Jordan Hopkins was “just fantastic. She normally finishes sixth for us and was third. She had a great race on a big day,” Gould said of his freshman.
“Patrick O’Donnell had an excellent race. The two seniors Alex Goldrup and Caleb Philbrook had their best two times of the year at Regionals. They stepped up at a big race. I’m happy for them to close out their careers on a high note.
Medomak Valley cross-country coach George Gould was named KVAC Coach of the Year for the second straight year. Of receiving the award, a humble Gould said, “It’s all about the kids, not me. It is always a reflection of the kids, how they do, how they conduct themselves. Without them, I wouldn’t be much of a coach. It makes them happy, so it makes me happy.”
