Three state titles decided today Meets at Cony, Ellsworth, Saco

Cony High School in Augusta, Ellsworth High School, and Thornton Academy in Saco are the sites where state champions in track and field will be crowned in Classes C, B, and A, respectively, Saturday.

In girls’ competition, Waterville, Greely of Cumberland Center, and John Bapst of Bangor will be out to defend their 2002 team titles in Classes A, B, and C respectively. Meanwhile, the boys from South Portland (Class A), Belfast (B) and Madison (C) will be trying to mine team gold.

Action gets under way at all three venues at 10 a.m., when the 4-by-800-meter relay (girls) and long jump (boys) begin.

Class C – The Falmouth girls appear to be well-positioned to become only the third team not called the Winthrop Ramblers to win the team title in the last nine years. Other than John Bapst last season and Cape Elizabeth in 2000, Winthrop has been the girls champion every year since 1994. Falmouth is led Ali Hallowell (100 hurdles, 4-by-100, triple jump) and Beth Rubenstein (100, 200, 4-by-100).

Eastern standouts are John Bapst’s Elaine Colwell (100 hurdles), Lily Krichels (long jump), Katie Andrle (300 hurdles) and Nicole Lavertu (1600); Orono’s Olivia Alford (100, 200, 400, 4-by-100); Shelby Howe (1600, 800) from Narraguagus of Harrington; Central of Corinth’s Courtney Hersey (400); Rockland’s Sherill Jervey (javelin), Bucksport’s Shaina Goode (pole vault) and Stearns of Millinocket’s Ashley Boynton (triple and long jump)

Falmouth is a favorite in the boys meet as well with top seeds like Brandon Bonsey, Antonio Floridino, and Blake Davis). Lisbon and even Traip Academy of Kittery loom as tough competition. Individuals to watch are Bucksport’s Gunner Siverly (100, 400); Foxcroft Academy’s E.J. Imbert (400), Trey Merrill (discus) and Brandon Hall (high, triple, and long jump); Narraguagus’ Eric Peltier (long jump); and Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln’s Cole Averill (discus).

Class B – The Greely girls are favored to win their fourth title in the last five years, but Scarborough will once again challenge (as usual) along with Eastern Maine champ Hampden Academy. Girls who should stand out are Caribou’s Lindsay Burlock (100, 200, 400); Belfast’s Audra Curtis (1600 racewalk), Shannon Miller (pole vault) and Bryna Harrington (pole vault); Hampden’s Oriana Farley (800, 1600) and MacKenzie Rawcliffe (long and triple jump, hurdles); and Old Town’s Cassie Hintz (3200).

On the boys side, the Belfast Lions and Hampden Broncos are Eastern Maine’s best hope, but they’ll have their work cut out for them. The Lions are going for their fourth title in the last six years, but they’ll face very stiff opposition from Greely and Gorham.

Individuals to watch are Belfast’s Garren Horne (100, 200, 4-by-100, 4-by-400) and John Lear (high jump); Hermon’s John King (high jump); Old Town’s Kalle Eko (long and triple jump), Brad King (discus) and Matt Petrie (high jump); Winslow’s Scott Theobold (pole vault), Nick Souviney (100), Derek Runnels (javelin) and Shane Maroon (300 hurdles); Caribou’s Dan Campbell (1600 racewalk); Ellsworth’s Joey Dewitt (1600) and Lucas Carriere (400); Hampden’s Brian Herasymchuck (800);

Class A – The South Portland Red Riots are gunning for their fourth straight boys team title, but Deering of Portland is a top-flight contender. Conor Stephens of Bangor is one of the few Eastern Maine athletes to have a second seed. He’s just 11 inches behind top seed Dan Colina from Mount Ararat of Topsham.

The Waterville girls, who ended Edward Little of Auburn’s three-year win streak last year, will try for only their third state crown in the last 30 years, but the Red Eddies are loaded and eager to return to the winner’s circle. Local standouts start with Brewer’s Heather Clark, who is top-seeded in both the 800 and 1,600; and Carly Lochala (1600 racewalk) from Mt. Blue in Farmington.