Medomak Valley boys’ cross country team placed eighth at the Eastern Maine Class B cross country championships, held in Belfast on Saturday to qualify for the State Class B championships. The State title race is on Sat., Oct. 29 at Twin Brook Recreation in Cumberland. The time has been changed three times in the past two weeks, please consult AD Matt Lash for updates. Mason Vermilion qualified individually, placing ninth in a 17:56.
Caribou won the East B championship with 55 points, followed by Ellsworth 59, John Bapst 108, MCI 131, Waterville 150, Winslow 173, Presque Isle 179, Medomak 197, Belfast 254, MCI 273, Camden 284, Hermon 332, Foxcroft 350, Old Town 370, Washington Academy 407. Dan Curtis, of Ellsworth won the East B title in a time of 16:41.
Sophomore Alexander Casas was the second runner for the Panthers, placing 32nd, just two places out of qualifying individually in a time of 19:10.
“He has been coming along so well for a young kid. He is beginning to know what it is all about,” coach George Gould said.
Freshman Gavin Felch was the third finisher for Medomak, placing 44th in 19:35. Junior Ivan Johnson was the fourth runner in 46th place in 19:36. Kyle Baubonis rounded out the scoring five in 71st place in 20:46.
Junior Nick Anderson, who normally runs second for Medomak, was ill, taking 74th in 20:51. “He is done for the year,” Gould said of Anderson, who was diagnosed with mono a few days before the championship race. Anderson talked his doctor into letting him run one last time. “He wanted to do anything he could to get the kids into States,” Gould commented.
Lance Parker also competed in the race, placing 87th in 21:18.
Medomak Valley placed eighth, with the top six teams moving on to States. Heidi Harris was 38th in 23:10; 48. Jordan Hopkins, 23:44; 51. Alyssa Griggs, 23:59; 55. Jocelyn Thames, 24:09; and 63. Abbie Vail in 25:04 to complete the Lady Panthers scoring five. Vail “ran to a personal best at Belfast,” Gould said.
Also running for Medomak were Shannon Staples in 71st place in 26:21, and Kelsie Grady in 75th place in 26:54.
