PI runners vying for top performances
at title meets
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Wildcat cross country teams are preparing for the championship portion of their schedule, with the Penobscot Valley Conference meet coming up Saturday and the regional and state meets set for the following two Saturdays.
Both have been showing great improvement since workouts began in August, and while the boys may be a year or two away from being able to compete for titles as a team, the girls might be able to challenge for a victory in the PVCs and could be a sleeper at the Eastern Maine Class B event on Oct. 24, 2015 in Belfast as well.
The strides made by the Presque Isle girls have pleased second-year coach Mike Waugh. He said the team’s average time over a five-kilometer distance have dropped over two minutes in less than a month, which gives Waugh confidence that the Wildcats could seriously compete for a conference meet championship.
Senior Mandy Graham has keyed the team with her performances and leadership ability.
“I can’t speak too highly of her,” Waugh said. “Her work ethic is exemplary and she’s having a phenomenal senior year and is coming on like gangbusters right now.”
Graham ran a 20:31 for the Festival of Champions 5K, “and she isn’t even close to peak form yet,” according to Waugh.
“The other girls have a great deal of respect for her and are led by her example,” he added.
Freshman Madison Jandreau has been a welcome addition after transferring from Caribou. She has been the Wildcats’ No. 2 runner for most of the year and has helped provide a competitive spark among the team members and has led them to excel.
Sophomore Isabelle Jackson has progressed nicely and is starting to move up in critical races. After dealing with some injuries early in the season, Waugh is hopeful she will make some waves in the post-season.
Senior Emily Colligan has also come on strong after dealing with a serious injury in 2014 that took her out of competitive status and appears ready to aid the Wildcats in their bid for a PVC victory. Erica Corey, another senior, rounds out the top five and Waugh loves the improvement she has shown.
Senior Alyssa Sweeney, sophomores Olivia Mosher, Ellie Goheen and Ande Kornachuk and freshman Alexandra Walsh are the remaining PI runners who have been key components in the team’s success.
“They are a big part of the team average time drop and it is hard to understate what that has meant for us,” Waugh said. “Many have dealt with nagging injuries over the course of the season and their determination is inspiring.”
Waugh believes his team and Caribou have a chance to sweep the top two spots in this weekend’s race in Lincoln.
“The girls haven’t peaked yet, so I’m excited to see what happens. The key will be to maintain our mileage just long enough to hit peak form,” Waugh said. “Our workouts are going well and the girls are primed — they just need to run smart and run their own race.”
The Wildcat boys have had a good season under the leadership of first-year coach Evan Graves. A small roster and injuries have made it impossible to be competitive as a team, but Graves said weekly improvement has been demonstrated and points to potential for upcoming seasons.
One of the major bright spots has been provided by senior Jason Bartley. He had a breakthrough performance at the annual Sectional Meet in Old Town a few weeks ago and turned in a personal record at the recent Festival of Champions in Belfast.
“He is just continuing to improve and run smarter every week,” Graves said. “Jason is a kid that can get his teammates pumped up and ready for a race and does his workout and cheers on his teammates at the same time.
“Jason is experienced enough to see the bigger picture of the long cross country season and his patience has paid off,” Graves added.
Sophomore Max Bartley, Jason’s younger brother, continues to get stronger and faster and is running some great times, while freshman Trace Cyr has consistently been the Wildcats’ No. 2 runner while “continuing to learn how to spread his speed out on the course,” according to Graves.
The key injuries were suffered by sophomore Dustin Alward and freshman Tommy Popov, who both would have been among the team’s top five and have been greatly missed.
Freshman Brandon McKnight is acclimating to the high school level after a solid middle level career, while classmates Jordan Scott, Lucas Garcia and Chase Pyres have all made gains and round out the roster.
Graves has a goal of finishing in the top half of the standings at the PVCs and regionals. As far as the future of the program, he is confident that the Wildcats can turn things around.
“I would love to see the team grow in size and get back to the success from the late 1990s,” he said. “The kids are there at Presque Isle High School, it’s just making the connection with them and having them come and give running a try.”
