BUCKSPORT, MAINE – The combined Houlton/GHCA Track & Field squad began its season Friday, April 15, with a strong showing at an eight-school meet at Bucksport High School.
The Shire girls placed second in the meet and brought home first-place finishes in the javelin, 800 meter, 1,600 meter, 3,200 meter, 4×100 relay and 4×800 relay events.
A total of 16 girls placed in the top six in one or more events.
“For many of our kids, it was the first time they’ve been able to experience their events to the fullest whether it be throwing out of a properly secure discus ring, running through a full set of hurdles, landing jumps into actual sand or even just being able to run on a flat grade for a full 400 meters,” coach Chris Rines said. “It was a long day, but overall a great start to our season.”
The girls team scores were: 1, Bucksport, 212 points; 2, Houlton, 145; 3, George Stevens Academy, 92; 4; Washington Academy, 67; 5, Penquis Valley, four; and 6, Searsport, one.
Freshman Teanne Ewings displayed her dominance in the long distance events, placing first in all three of her events — 800 meter (2 minutes, 26.52 seconds), 1,600 meter (5:14.67) and 3,200 (12:18.25). All three were new school records for the Shires.
Ewings’ finish in the 3,200 was determined to be an “Elite Performance” by the MileSplit scoring system. Hers was the only elite performance at the meet, according to coach Rines.
She was also part of the 4×800 relay squad, alongside Natalie Johnson, Leanne Ross and Abigail Duff, that placed first with a time of 12:14.54. With their finish, the group set a new school record for the 4×800.
Kaitlin Kenney placed first for Houlton in the javelin toss with a throw of 87 feet, 5 inches.
The boys had five individuals finish in the top six in one or more events, helping the Shires score points.
The boys team scores were: 1, Bucksport, 225 points; 2, George Stevens Academy, 115; 3, Washington Academy, 105; 4, Houlton/GHCA, 34; and 5, Searsport, 13.
Additionally, Samuel Duff set a new school record in the triple jump (36-8), while Abigail Duff set a school record in the 400 meter (1:12.91). Both are students at GHCA.
A complete list of individual results can be found online at https://me.milesplit.com/meets/472821-pvcdi-s-gsa-houl-wa-bucksport-2022/results/803201#.Yl9Md-jMKUk.
BUCKSPORT, Maine — April 21, 2022 — Soaring through the air as he competes in the long jump is Houlton sophomore Terry Valles during an April 15 track meet in Brunswick. (Photo courtesy of Chris Rines)
BUCKSPORT, Maine — April 21, 2022 — Houlton freshman Phillip Espenscheid (right) holds off a GSA runner in the first lap of the boys 800 meter race at Bucksport High School April 15. (Photo courtesy of Chris Rines)
