BELFAST – Over the past few years, Western Maine teams have owned their Eastern Maine cousins in state cross country meets.

The John Bapst Crusaders of Bangor, however, got this year’s state meet started on the right foot for EM teams, winning their first state championship since 1982 with a 61-108 triumph over runner-up Old Town on a cold Saturday at Troy Howard Middle School.

The Indians finished tied with Cape Elizabeth, but Old Town’s sixth runner finished ahead of Cape’s. York was fourth with 138, and Greeley of Cumberland Center fifth with 141. Hampden was sixth (144).

Old Town junior Cassie Hintz and Cape Elizabeth sophomore Elise Moody-Roberts ran stride for stride throughout, blazing through the mile in 5 minutes, 25 seconds. Hintz eventually prevailed in 17:52 over the 5,000 meters and Moody-Roberts was second (17:55).

The Crusaders’ pack, meanwhile, was too much for the Indians and Capers as Maddy Glover (18:51.2), Courtney Martin (19:00), and Nicole Lavertu (19:39.1) went 4-5-8 to pave the way for Bapst.

“We knew that we had to break up the very strong packs of the teams behind us,” said John Bapst coach John Emerson. “We had a strategy that we didn’t want to kill ourselves in the first mile.”

Eve Jordan finished 26th (20:43.6) for Bapst while Denise Miller was 28th (20:52.2), Vanessa Weber 38th (21:22), and Maggie Jones 43rd (21:31.7).

“Both Eve Jordan and Denise Miller stepped it up for us, and Vanessa Webber and Maggie Jones stepped up,” Emerson said. “We have seven runners that any team around would be proud to have.”

In Class D, after scoring four goals in a soccer game on Friday, Shelby Pickering had some unfinished business on the cross country course.

The Pandas’ senior turned in a 10th-place finish (21:50.6) as Lee easily outdistanced runner-up Monmouth 22-50. Elan of Poland was third with 87 and Woodland fourth (102).

“She told me about a mile in that her shin splints were tight,” said Lee coach Todd Thurlow. “I just told her to battle through the best she could. She’s been an awesome leader for our girls all year long.”

The Pandas were paced by a strong fourth-place finish by Brooke Harris (21:21.6). Also providing valuable points were Carrie Mallett (6th, 21:44.6), Amanda Gifford (8th, 21:48.1) and Kerri Harris (16th, 22:37.7).

“I told the girls not to feel any pressure and to do the best they could,” said Thurlow. “Greenville worked them hard [Friday night in the soccer game].”

In Class A, Mount Ararat of Topsham capped off a dominating season just as expected. Senior sisters Beth and Jessie Wilcox finished 1-2 in 19:04.5 and 19:07.9, respectively, and Krystal Douglas was sixth (19:26.4) as the Eagles rolled past WM champ Deering of Portland by a 59-95 margin.

Mt. Blue of Farmington was third with 116, while Waterville (165) and Scarborough (173) rounded out the top five.

In addition to the Wilcox’s efforts, Rose Lebel added a 23rd-place finish in 20:34.5.

“With the twins and Rose and Krystal having been together, and the twins having being injured every other season, it’s nice to have everybody together and finish like this,” said Mount Ararat coach Diane Fournier. “They’d say it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to them.”

In Class C, Western Maine’s only girls crown of the day went to defending state champ Freeport, which edged the tough Foxcroft Academy Ponies 40-54. North Yarmouth finished third with 60 while Sumner of East Sullivan was fourth with 64.

Lucy Garrec (20:51.8) and Dani O’Rourke-Suchoff (21:03.3) paved the way for the Falcons with a 4-8 finish while Shannon Marden (21:30.9), Melissa MacAlister (21:47.6), and Tamlyn Frederick (22:12.1) went 11-13-15 for the Ponies.

Many teams were gunning for Freeport, according to coach Katherine McGuire.

“There’s a lot more pressure after you win one,” she said. It feels good to be able to come back and do it. A few minutes ago, I didn’t think we had it, so I’m very excited.”

Sumner’s Vanessa Brunton, who won last week’s regional crown, turned in another strong race to finish first in the state race in 20:10.2, a margin of 21 seconds over Telstar’s Brianne Bailey.