Houlton cross country shines at Presque Isle Invitational

by Contributed
1 month ago
The Houlton boys cross team won the Presque Isle Invitational for the first time in program history on September 13 on the UMPI camps. The Shiretowners scored 43 points, the lowest of eight schools. James Brady came in second overall at 18:06.32. (Courtesy photo)

PThe Houlton boys cross-country team won the Presque Isle Invitational for the first time in program history on Sept. 13.

The team completed some remarkable performances at the event, held Friday, Sept. 13, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus. 

The impressive individual and team results highlight the hard work and commitment these athletes have had so far in this young season.

The Houlton boys cross team won the Presque Isle Invitational for the first time in program history on September 13 on the UMPI camps. The Shiretowners scored 43 points, the lowest of eight schools. James Brady came in second overall at 18:06.32.
(Courtesy photo)

In the junior varsity boys race, Jackson Adams and Neal McQuarrie delivered strong finishes, securing 18th and 24th places, respectively. Dalylah Mincey represented the squad for the junior varsity girls, capturing 7th place with a time of 32 minutes, 3.86 seconds to land a top-10 finish.

The varsity boys made history by taking home the top team honors, winning their first-ever PI Invitational title with a total of 43 points. They outpaced rivals Caribou (56), John Bapst (75), Ellsworth (97), Washburn (135), Old Town (143), Hermon (156) and Maine School of Science and Mathematics (184).

Top performances for the Shires included James Brady, overall runner-up in 18:06.32; Malachi Witmer (5th) in 18:12.98; and Brayden Drake (7th) in 18:28.66

Completing the team’s scoring were Nathan Brady in 15th and Shawn Coty in 18th.

Aroostook junior varsity girls cross-country ribbon winners at the recent Presque Isle invitational were, from left: Kailynn Huntington, Presque Isle; Corinne Parker, John Bapst; Cathleen Chen, Presque Isle; Katherine Bechtel, Caribou; Daylyah Mincey, Houlton; Julia Daggett, Presque Isle; Sophia Guess, Ellsworth; and Brynna Fox, Presque Isle. Not pictured are Cassidy Pinette and Yrah Tismo, Washburn.
(Courtesy of Ellen Dyer)

On the varsity girls side, Katie McQuarrie led the Houlton contingent by finishing 19th overall with a time of 25:38.51. Dalayna Mincey followed in 21st, with Kylah Tuttle (32nd), Andrea Ross (34th) and Amelia Drake (39th) rounding out the team’s efforts. The girls finished 5th in the team standings, in a closely contested battle led by John Bapst (47) and Old Town (48).

The varsity squad will next compete at Saxl Park in Bangor on Saturday for a highly anticipated PVC and KVAC crossover meet, a new addition to the schedule this year. Meanwhile, the middle school team heads to Woodland for competition on Wednesday.

Aroostook varsity boys cross-country ribbon winners at the recent Presque Isle invitational were, from left: Aedyn Hughes, Ellsworth; James Brady, Houlton; Tewolde Stewart, Caribou; Malachi Witmer, Houlton; Scott Stubbs, Caribou; Brayden Drake, Houlton; William Francis, Old Town; Benedict Hoskins, Brewer; and Alex LeClair, Presque Isle.
(Courtesy of Ellen Dyer)

Aroostook varsity boys cross-country ribbon winners included Aedyn Hughes, Ellsworth; James Brady, Houlton; Tewolde Stewart, Caribou; Malachi Witmer, Houlton; Scott Stubbs, Caribou; Brayden Drake, Houlton; William Francis, Old Town; Benedict Hoskins, Brewer; and Alex LeClair, Presque Isle. 

Junior varsity girls cross-country ribbon winners included Kailynn Huntington, Presque Isle; Corinne Parker, John Bapst; Cathleen Chen, Presque Isle; Katherine Bechtel, Caribou; Daylyah Mincey, Houlton; Julia Daggett, Presque Isle; Sophia Guess, Ellsworth; Brynna Fox, Presque Isle; Cassidy Pinette, Washburn; and Yrah Tismo, Washburn. 

For full results from the Presque Isle Invitational, visit https://me.milesplit.com/meets/630299-presque-isle-high-school-xc-invitational-2024/results.