MDI looks to unseat Bangor boys; Rams’ girls set to charge to PVC title

The Mount Desert Island boys swim team will be among the favorites to be the second team other than Bangor to win a Penobscot Valley Conference title when boys from the PVC schools compete in Friday night’s meet.

The swimming competition kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Bangor-Brewer YWCA’s Aloupis Pool. Divers will go through their first eight dives starting at 4 p.m.

The girls will compete for their PVC title Saturday starting at noon at the Husson College pool in Bangor. The diving will start at 8:45 a.m.

The Trojans would be the first boys team other than Bangor to win the conference title since Old Town in 1997. The Indians also won the PVC crown in 1991. The Rams earned 22 out of the past 24 championships.

But with MDI’s three strong relays and cadre of talented individuals that also make this team a favorite at the upcoming state meet, Bangor’s run could end this year.

The Trojans have the top Class B time in the state in the 200-yard medley relay (1:48.21), the 200 freestyle relay (1:36.57) and 400 free relay (3:29.51). Brothers Frosty Pepper and Sargent Pepper, along with Justin Garver, Frank Carbone, Kevin Staples, Matt St. Germain, Ben Muir lead the way.

The Rams, who along with Brewer are the two Class A teams in the PVC meet, will look to John Quinn, Mike Rubin, Joey Rice, Shane White and Graham Fitch. Bangor could also place several divers in the top 12, including Josh Buck, who has the top score in the state so far.

Traditional power Old Town, the defending Class B state champ, is in the top five in all three relays. The Indians will gain most of their points from Gerald Herlihy, Jacob Shanley, Nick Noonan, Nick Perkins, Dan Thorton, and diver Shawn Richardson.

Small but strong squads John Bapst of Bangor and Ellsworth will also be in contention.

The MDI girls were the last team to win a PVC girls title other than Bangor – that came back in 1998 – but the Rams are a favorite to prevail again this year.

All three of Bangor’s relays are ranked in the top five in a tough Class A this year. And the Rams are deep in several events. Standouts include Cammi Howard, sisters Kayle Shapero and Mara Shapero, sisters Isobel and Lily Herbold, Gabby Babin, Stephanie Palmer and Erica Simpson. Diver Chandra Lippitt has the state’s top diving score.

Trojans Iris Meehan, Amy Harrison, Chelsea White and Andrea Eaton, and Indians Yanghee Kwon, Maggie Bailey, Regina Kenneway and Mary Falls will push the Rams, as will Brewer’s Kallie Pottle and Kate Hanlon.