The Festival of Champions was held Saturday in Belfast and high school cross country runners from both Presque Isle and Washburn once again were able to experience being part of an important running tradition in a field that included over 650 female and 850 male competitors.
In the seeded race, which included 58 girls’ and 61 boys’ squads from as far away as Rhode Island and Prince Edward Island, the Presque Isle girls were led by sophomore Madison Jandreau, whose time of 21:25.49 on the five-kilometer course was good for 108th place. Isabelle Jackson of the Wildcats was 218th in 22:48.69.
Kassandra Farley of the Washburn Beavers came in 114th in 21:03.02.
The race winner was Tia Tardy of Mount Desert Island, whose time was 18:32.71. Cumberland High School of Rhode Island was the team champion.
The Presque Isle boys’ top finisher was sophomore Trace Cyr, who was 193rd overall with a time of 18:48.16. Not far behind was teammate Max Bartley, who crossed the line in 18:50.04, which put him in 198th place.
Washburn’s best time was turned in by Devon Maynard, who was 299th with a 19:27.99 clocking.
Winning was Luke Laverdiere of Yarmouth in 15:33.84. The team champion on the boys side was Falmouth.
Jonah Clark of Presque Isle was 66th in the unseeded boys race in 20:09.25.
Aroostook County teams will make the trip to Houlton Friday for the All-Aroostook Selection race, which begins at 3:30 p.m.
