Quaglia, Masters lead Rams’ charge with 1-2 punch

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The relationship between two teammates on a track and field team who compete in the same events is often accommodating, but still competitive.

That is the case with Bangor High School track and field distance standouts and training partners Casey Quaglia and Riley Masters.

“[Casey] and Riley have a very special relationship,” Bangor coach Maynard Walton said. “It’s competitive, but very helpful.”

Quaglia, a senior and Masters, a junior, have been working hard together not just to make themselves better individually, but to make the Rams a track and field powerhouse in Class A.

“It’s very good for the team, it’s a strong 1-2 punch,” Walton said. “[It makes it] awfully easy for coaches to set up three different events.”

Walton compared his 1-2 punch to Old Town’s distance duo of Hilary Maxim and Eliza Tibbits, who he says “work very well together.”

Quaglia boasts the state’s top time in the mile, regardless of class, at 4 minutes, 27.09 seconds, with Masters second at 4:36.33.

Quaglia is ranked second in the state in Class A in the 2-mile at 9:59.44 while Masters is fifth at 10:13.31. Quaglia has also posted a speedy 2:00.96 in the 800.

Masters says his times would not be possible if not for his teammate.

“I don’t think I’d be nearly as good without Casey, I don’t think our distance team would be nearly as good without Casey,” Masters said. “He’s an inspiration to all of us.”

In practices, Masters and Quaglia take turns leading during workouts, an important tactic to having success in races like the mile and 2 mile.

“Every practice, Riley’ll lead the first five minutes, it doesn’t matter if we’re doing sprints or distance [workouts],” Quaglia said. “Every practice we run together.”

Bangor distance coach Jamie Cooke says that both runners come to practice ready to work hard, and that the younger runners look up to them.

“Both Casey and Riley have an amazing work ethic, they always want to give 110 percent,” Cooke said. “They’re [always] motivating the younger groups to do their best.”

She added that they simulate race-like situations in practice, particularly during speed work.

“They try to mimic an actual race in practice, so that way even if both aren’t in the [same] race they know how to run against competition,” Cooke said.

In addition to their individual success, Quaglia and Masters teamed up with Shea Patterson and Branden Mountain on the 4×880 relay to post a fast 8:46.43 on Dec. 28.

While Masters and Quaglia have been posting fast times in the distance races, their teammates are getting it done in their events as well.

Cam Cormier set an EMITL record in the 200 in 22.97 and a Black Bear Relays’ 60-yard dash record of 6.77. The senior added a 51-second 400 to his resume in this past Thursday’s meet against Brewer, Old Town and Orono.

Fellow sprinter Curtis Coleman has been consistent in the 200 and 60 and usually runs on the 4×220 relay.

The Rams also have a deep corps of jumpers led by Jimmy Clukey and Kyle Vanidestine while Robert Seccareccia is closing in on 50 feet in the shot put.

Mountain and Patterson have also been consistent in the short distance events and the 4×880.

The Rams should be considered one of the favorites to win the Class A state title next month, but they aren’t revealing any secrets quite yet.

“We don’t want to say anything yet. We’re hoping so,” Quaglia said. “There’s good heart on this team, everyone’s putting their two cents in, we’re learning from each other’s mistakes, stepping it up on the track and letting our legs talk.”

He added that the team is coming together day by day.

“There’s great camaraderie on this team. We respect each other on and off the track,” Quaglia said.

Dumas shatters mark

Cony of Augusta standout pole vaulter Bethany Dumas continues to soar to new heights, and break her own records.

The Rams’ junior broke her own Class A pole-vault mark at a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference multi-team meet at Bowdoin College in Brunswick last weekend, clearing 12 feet, 11/2 inches.

Dumas’ old record was 11-2, which she established at the Class A state championships last winter.