YARMOUTH, Maine — Last Saturday, several members of the Houlton track and field team competed in the Class C state championships in Yarmouth.
“Although we didn’t make it onto the team score sheet, our athletes all met the challenge head on and several of them hit personal records in their events,” said Houlton coach Chris Rines. “I am very proud of all our athletes. They gave it their all against the state’s best.”
For a first-time competitor, Natalie Hill’s natural athletic ability and work ethic led her to two personal bests in two of the three categories she competed in. Hill was 13th out of 26 in the 200 meter, setting a personal record, with a time of 28.79 and in the 400 meter, she was ninth out of 16, with a personal best time of 1:04.83.
In the javelin, Hill threw a distance of 82 feet to take 13th place out of 23 competitors.
Emily Mooers, another first-time track and field participant, showed her abilities on the track, setting two personal best times for the 400 meter, 1:07.47 for 13th out of 16; and in the 800 meter, 2:42.99, tied for 18 out of 31.
Rylee Warman, a second-year competitor, set a personal record in the 1,600 meter with a time of 6:08.41 for a 27th finish out of 32; and in the 800 meter, she was 23rd out of 31 with a time of 2:44.17.
Isaiah Brown had best personal times in both of his events, as he was 14th of 20 in the 1,600 meter with a time of 4:53.86 and he ran another personal best time in the 800 meter, 2:14.60, finishing 15 out of 24.
Brown’s brother, Austin, finished sixth in the 100 meter with a time of 12.19, but did not advance to the finals, while in the 200 meter, he set a personal best time of 24.37 coming in 17 out of 29. He also competed in the high jump, which he was seeded at 5 feet, 8 inches, but he fell short and did not clear 5 feet, 4 inches.
“The Class C state track and field championships were full of some of the best action in Maine on Saturday,” said Rines. “All our state qualifiers did amazing against the best Class C has to offer. I cannot thank you all enough, this was a tremendous undertaking.”
Rines thanked those who supported the team — family, friends and RSU 29 administration — because he said, “to have your support meant the world to these kids and the entirety of our team.”
Several other Aroostook County athletes had very strong performances as well in the States.
“These were kids that our students had befriended as the season went on,” Rines said. “It’s always a great feeling to see our kids cheering on the athletes they’ve become friends with from other schools.”
