FORT KENT, Maine — Max Bartley is wrapping up a brilliant high school skiing career in style, taking a state title Thursday and going for a second Friday.
The Presque Isle High School senior, after going undefeated during the regular season in Aroostook County meets, won the Class B classic race at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center Thursday with a time of 15:30 on the five-kilometer course.
Caribou’s Emerson Duplissie-Cyr was 10th in 16:51.1. Teammates Evan Desmond (18th), Devin White (21st), Dakota Yakel (23rd) and Alec Cyr (24th) all placed among the top 25 out of 63 competitors.
In Class C, Gaelan Boyle-Wight (16:32) of Telstar High School in Bethel was the top classic skier. Harrison Walters of MSSM turned in a fifth-place finish in 17:36.6. Tristan Pelletier of Ashland was 11th overall in 18:28.2 and James Cyr of MSSM took 12th in 18:32.6, with 39 boys racing.
Madawaska’s Isabelle Jandreau (18 minutes, 9 seconds) raced well ahead of the pack to take first place in the Class C classic girls’ race. In the Class B girls’ event, Yarmouth’s Sophia Laukli (16:17) finished in first.
Isabelle Jackson of PI placed seventh in the ‘B’ race in 18:50. Caribou’s top finish was recorded by Ciara Richards, who was 17th overall in 21:01.9. Abigail Wimmer of the Vikings ended up 22nd out of out 45.
Dolcie Tanguay of MSSM was third in 19:55.4 and Kirsten Main of Central Aroostook fourth in the Class C event in 20:19.8. Ashland’s Kassandra Nelson and Willow Hall were fifth and sixth, respectively. Nelson finished the race in 21:00.4 and Hall in 21:25.3. Fort Fairfield’s Jessica Halsey came in seventh in the standings at 21:30.8.
Samantha Zwecker of MSSM placed 21st out of 44 competitors.
The freestyle pursuit races will be held Friday also at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center.
