ORONO – Like a lot of 14-year-old girls, Sasha Devore has her share of hobbies.

Few teens, however, can duplicate Devore’s spare-time avocations. Not only is the Farmington girl one of the state’s top junior racewalkers, but she plays a pretty mean cello, too.

Devore, who is heading into her sophomore year at Mt. Blue High School, is one of more than two dozen 19-and-under “junior” racewalkers scheduled to compete Saturday in the USA Track and Field Junior Racewalk National Championship at the University of Maine.

Devore is entering the meet peaking at the right time, having recently shattered a Maine Junior Olympic age-group record last Saturday and finishing second in the Region I Junior Olympics earlier this summer.

“I don’t care where I place. I just want to get a good time,” Devore said following a Tuesday morning workout. “I don’t think I’ve peaked out yet. My time has been dropping 30, 40 seconds each race. I’d like to get it down even more.”

Most impressive about Devore’s fast-dropping times is the fact she has only been competively racewalking for four years, starting when she was 10.

Her coach, Tom Eastler of Farmington, discovered her talents early.

“We had to try all the events,” she explained. “I tried racewalking and really liked it. It was new to me so I never really worried about what people thought. It was fun to me so I never really cared.”

Her affection for both of her hobbies seem to keep Devore away from the mainstream hobbies of her fellow teens.

In addition to being good at racewalking Devore, as a cellist, was named to play with the All-State Music Festival Orchestra in Houlton.

“They’ve both been a lot of fun,” Devore said of her two hobbies.

Devore’s youth and lack of experience as a racewalker will probably stop her from competing for the national title.

Defending champion Debbie Iden of Bayport, N.Y., returns as the favorite to win again. She is coming off a trip to Portugal, where she competed with the U.S. Junior team.

Iden is keeping mum about Saturday’s effort.

“It depends on who is here,” Iden said. “I don’t want to say too much though because it might jinx my chances. We’ll see what happens.”

Aimee Parson of Roswell, N.M., finished third last year and will push Iden.

Topping the boys half of the list is Farmington’s Kevin Eastler, who finished third last year as a 15-year-old.

Now 16, Eastler – with last year’s top two finishers not returning – is ready to capitalize on his opportunity.

“I’m just going to go out there and do a pretty good time,” he said. “I expect to win, but who knows. I’ve taken a week off, but I’ve been practicing well.”