Medomak Valley girls’ cross-country team won the KVAC championship Saturday in Augusta. With two top runners (Erika Knutson and Kiana Ocean) still not fully recovered from giving blood less than two weeks before, other Lady Panthers stepped it up to help Medomak seal the championship win. The Panthers placed third at the 2007 championship race. The last time Medomak girls won a KVAC championship was in 1991.
Medomak won the 2008 KVAC title with 61 points, edging Leavitt 63 and Maranacook 70. Winslow was third with 100, Waterville 103, Lincoln Academy 136, Erskine 150 and Camden 195.
“I thought it would be a very difficult task, considering how good Maranacook and Leavitt are. The girls stepped up and did it, coach George Gould said of his Lady Panthers victory. Erika (Knutson) and Kiana (Ocean) were still down from giving blood. The other kids did a great job,” Gould added.
Gwen Moiles ran to a fifth place finish in 22:11 to lead the Lady Panthers to victory. Medomak placed four scoring runners in the top 20, including a pack of three. Ocean placed 13th in 23:18; Alyssa Griggs 14th in 23:21; and Megan Wyllie 16th in 23:21. Knutson was the fifth scoring runner, taking 23rd in 24:52. Jordan Hopkins placed 26th in 24:41, and Chelsea Wochomurka 29th in 24:45.
“Gwen Moiles did a great job, she continues her late season push,” Gould said of his sophomore runner who has cut two minutes off her time this season. Freshman Alyssa Griggs has cut almost three minutes off her time. “Jordan Hopkins and Chelsea Wochomurka beat out Leavitt’s number five runner,” Gould said of sixth and seventh runner. “That turned the score around. We feel very lucky, very fortunate.” Gould added. Six Medomak girls that placed in the top 20 will be returning next year. No Medomak team has repeated as KVAC champions. Of a possible repeat, Gould said, “It’s a long time between now and then.”
Maranacook captured the top two spots with Abby Mace winning in 19:24 and Taylor Burr taking second in 21:13. Lincoln Academy’s Nikki Leeman placed third in 21:30.
Also competing for the Eagles were: 25th Celia Howland, 24:37; 37th Sara Balch, 25:39; 45th Katie Williams, 26:44; and 48th Stephanie Winchenbach, 27:10.
