Local runners compete in Spring Runoff

by Staff Pioneer Times
10 years ago

   PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Sixty runners toed the line Saturday to participate in the University of Maine at Presque Isle Spring Runoff 5K, an annual event held as a fundraiser for the UMPI cross country and track teams.
Former Owl running standout Justin Fereshetian, who resides in Mars Hill, captured the men’s overall title with a time of 17 minutes and 53 seconds, while Gabrielle Wheeler of New Sweden was the women’s champion in 19:48. Wheeler established the women’s course record of 18:46 in 2012.
Curtis Wheeler of New Sweden, the men’s course record holder (15:33 in 2010), followed Fereshetian across the line in 18:14 to take second place. Paul Johnson of Fort Fairfield (18:34), Thomas Beckum of Caribou (19:18) and Jeff Ashby of Presque Isle (19:22) closed out the top five.
The remainder of the overall top 10 included Elijah Verhoff of Caribou (19:40), Gabrielle Wheeler, Jason Bartley of Presque Isle (20:00), Evan Desmond of Caribou (20:07) and Trevor Levesque of Presque Isle (20:18).
The second-place female was Tracy Guerrette of St. Agatha in 20:49. Sarah Doak of Stockholm was third in 21:55.
The winning three-person relay team consisted of Chris Rines of Houlton, Isaiah Brown of Houlton and Fereshetian in 17:40.
Age division winners were: 14-and-under females, Teagan Ewings of Houlton, 24:39; 15-18, Doak; 19-29, Alyssa Dougherty of Fort Fairfield, 29:23; 30-39, Guerrette; 40-49, Angela Ewings of Houlton, 24:04; 50-59, Susie Schloeman of Caribou, 36:06; and 60-69, Connie McLellan of Cross Lake, 30:10.
Also, 14-and-under males, Evan Desmond of Caribou, 20:07; 15-18, Verhoff; 19-29, Curtis Wheeler; 30-39, Johnson; 40-49, Ashby; 50-59, Paul Lamoreau of Presque Isle, 27:14; 60-69, Larry Tonzi of Linneus, 23:32; and 70-79, Jim Nesbitt of Presque Isle, 28:27.
The lone walker was Julie Freeman of Presque Isle, who crossed the finish line in 41:23.
The race served as the second in the County Challenge Racing Series. The next one is the S.W. Collins Company 5K, set for Sunday, June 21 in Caribou.