XC squads compete in Old Town Sectionals
OLD TOWN, Maine — The 66th annual Old Town Sectional Invitational was held Saturday, with Presque Isle and Washburn the local schools participating.
In the girls’ race, the winner was Tia Tardy of Orono in a time of 18:04.97 — a course record. Tardy had set the previous best of 19:19.24 last year as a member of the Mattanawcook Academy Lynx. Orono also featured four of the next five fastest runners in cruising to the team championship with 17 points, 75 fewer than runner-up Caribou.
Presque Isle was led by Mandy Graham, a senior who finished the 3.1-mile course in 20 minutes and 23.95 seconds, good for 11th overall out of 58 competitors. Teammate Madison Jandreau was 18th in 21:18.69, with Emily Colligan and Isabelle Jackson placing 26th and 27th, respectively.
The Wildcats totaled 125 points, good for fifth overall out of nine teams.
Washburn’s top effort was recorded by Emilia Churchill, who was 17th in 21:18.59.
For the boys, the Red Riots won with 26 points, with Caribou following with 38. The Washburn boys came in seventh with 194 points, while Presque Isle did not field a full team, therefore was without a team score.
Taking first place was Matt Keresey of Orono in 16:25.89. He also established a course record. With four other Red Riots in the top 12, they were able to hold off the Vikes for the team championship.
Jason Bartley of Presque Isle was less than 26 seconds behind Keresey and placed third overall in 16:51.02. Freshman Trace Cyr took 36th in 19:06.4, while Max Bartley was 47th to round out the list of Wildcats competing.
Derek Baker had a strong race for Washburn, coming in 10th place in 17:16.78. Teammate Devon Maynard came in 28th in 18:30.2.
Other teams participating were Foxcroft Academy, Old Town, Mount Desert Island, John Bapst, Central of East Corinth, Hermon and Mattanawcook of Lincoln.
The next event is Saturday’s Festival of Champions in Belfast.
