Winslow’s lone runner wins B regional crown> Maranacook takes team prize

ORONO – Robin Bates didn’t have a team to run for or teammates to cheer her on, yet she still won the Eastern Maine Class B girls individual cross country title here Saturday. Then again, Winslow High School’s lone runner came prepared.

“These are my fans,” said Bates of the five friends who surrounded her after she won in 19 minutes, 51.12 seconds, comfortably ahead of Camden-Rockport’s Jennifer Patterson, on the 3.1-mile University of Maine course.

“I bring people from my school,” she added. “They come to support me. It does get lonely out there.”

Bates had plenty of time to herself on the 3.1-mile course after grabbing the lead and putting five yards between her and Patterson by the mile mark. But Bates looked far from forlorn as she crossed the finish line 23 seconds ahead of Patterson and all smiles.

Maranacook of Readfield won the Class B girls title with 32 points. Mount Desert Island was second (72) and Hampden was third (91).

Gardiner captured the Class A girls race with 68 points, Brewer took second (79) and Presque Isle was third (132).

In the Class C race, Foxcroft Academy won with 53 points followed by George Stevens Academy (68) and Mattanawcook Academy (96).

Woodland won the Class D race with 28 points, Schneck was second (70) and Forest Hills and Bangor Christian tied for third (73).

In a team sport without a team, Bates’ win was purely self motivated. Although Bates, who finished fourth in the Class B state race last year, said running in a competitive class has helped her improve.

“Class A might have one runner who is faster, but our top 10 are usually faster than their top 10,” Bates said of Class B. “It’s kind of frustrating because people assume Class A is faster when it’s not.”

Still, not having a team to represent and pull for – especially in championship races – has made Bates conscious of the importance of fan support.

“It’s just me. We had a boys team my freshman year, but not anymore,” she said. “It’s my senior year, so I guess I’m hoping to win states. I’ll have my fans there. They’re all going. They already have posters made.”

Eastern Maine girls champs

CLASS A

Team: Gardiner 68, Individual: Danielle Donovan (Presque Isle) 19:36 CLASS B

Team: Maranacook 32, Individual: Robin Bates (Winslow) 19:51 CLASS C

Team: Foxcroft 52, Individual: Deri-Ann White (Foxcroft) 19:54 CLASS D

Team: Woodland 28, Individual: Melissa Smith (Machias) 21:31