Witches, Lynx, MDI girls strong Eagles, Riots top boys XC teams

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With the unofficial end of summer around the corner, most of the state’s high school cross country runners will kick off their quest for state-championship glory this weekend, with some Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and Aroostook County teams having already begun their seasons.

That being said, here’s a look at who might emerge as the top teams and individuals in Eastern Maine this fall.

Let’s start with the girls.

Class A: The KVAC will welcome Brewer, Bangor and Hampden Academy into its family this fall.

Two-time defending state champ Brunswick is the favorite here, with the Dragons returning three of their top four runners.

However, Brewer has potential to give Brunswick a run for its money.

Coach Glendon Rand’s Witches return their entire line-up from last year, and junior frontrunner Katie Snow is healthy after missing all of spring track season with shin splints.

Brewer has a solid pack behind Snow, including juniors Caitlyn Wilson and Brooke Madden, both of whom had strong outdoor track seasons, as well as soph Bekah Clark and junior Ashley Geiser.

The Witches are a top-3 caliber team at the regionals if Snow can stay healthy and they have a strong pack time behind her.

Mount Ararat of Topsham should be strong as well and Bangor is always competitive.

Regional champion: Brunswick

Class B: Old Town senior Hilary Maxim ran away with the state individual title last year and will be poised to have an outstanding senior season for the Coyotes. She had a solid summer of training and won the Walter Hunt Memorial 3K road race July 4 in Bangor.

Mount Desert Island won the state title last year, and is the favorite again this year.

Despite graduating three seniors, the Trojans have one of the region’s top runners in junior Heather Spurling, and had plenty of talent in reserve last year, as their junior varsity squad won the PVC JV championships.

Sophomores Mackenzie Curtis and Lily Maderia look to fill the holes left by Sue Falt and Liela Banks.

MDI’s top challenger could be PVC rival John Bapst of Bangor. The Crusaders graduated only one runner from their state meet lineup last year, and Kim Spencer, a sophomore, had an outstanding spring track season.

Both teams tend to run well as a team, and always get stronger as the season progresses.

Waterville is traditionally strong out of the KVAC, and Belfast has one of the top individuals in Megan Nealey.

Regional champ: MDI

Class C: Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln is the clear favorite here. The Lynx didn’t lose any runners to graduation, but now that Penobscot Valley of Howland is fielding its own team this year, PVHS student Casey McCloskey will be competing for the Howlers.

Other than that, the Lynx have their entire squad intact, including individual state champ Renee LaFlamme.

If sophomore Taylor Gordon can flourish in the fifth-runner spot, watch out for this team come state-meet time.

Lee Academy always has solid athletes on its team.

Regional champ: Mattanawcook.

Now on to the boys.

Class A: This could be the most wide-open class of the bunch.

Bangor has one of the state’s top individuals in Riley Masters, which could put them among the favorites.

Brewer, which qualified for the state meet last year, has a solid pack and one of the conference’s top young runners in soph Evan Taylor. Senior Travis Blackmer is always around the top five to 10 runners.

Lewiston is the early favorite, as the Blue Devils return three of their top four runners from last year. Defending champ Edward Little of Auburn suffered heavy graduation losses.

Hampden Academy has a solid mix of veterans and newcomers while Brunswick looks solid.

Regional champ: Lewiston.

Class B: Over the last few years, Caribou and Ellsworth have always had an exciting, friendly rivalry, and this year should be no different.

Both teams graduated their top runners in Sam Sheehan and Corey DeWitt, but both should have solid teams.

The Eagles have more experience at the top, with seniors Logan Will and Alec Phippen leading Andy Beardsley’s bunch. Dakota Hellum, a sophomore, came on strong at the end of last year, and will be pivotal to Ellsworth’s success.

Along with Sheehan, Caribou graduated top runners Stefan Ciszewski and Drew Freme. Coach Roy Alden has always had a strong JV team, and most of those athletes will compete for top varsity slots this fall.

MDI and John Bapst both came on strong at the end of last year, and will be in the mix as well.

Regional champ: Ellsworth.

Class C: It’s difficult to pick a favorite here, as you’re always in the mix as long as you have a solid top five.

With all seven varsity runners back from last year, Orono looks to be the heavy favorite.

The Red Riots will be led by senior Matt Nadeau and junior Brandon Paul, who finished in the top 10 at last year’s regional meet.

Defending champ Foxcroft Academy, Mattanawcook and Sumner of East Sullivan are contenders.

Regional champ: Orono.

Enjoy the always-exciting races.

Ryan McLaughlin can be reached at 1-800-310-8600 or bdnsports@bangordailynews.net.