Runners from around the state father at the starting line at the Mt. Blue cross country relay races in Farmington on Friday.
FARMINGTON — There was music. There were conga lines. Teams sang “happy birthday” in the middle of an after-race pasta dinner.
The Mt. Blue Relays redefined friendly competition Friday, as cross country runners from 13 different schools took part in one of the final competitions prior to conference, regional and state meets.
Mt. Ararat took advantage of great weather on the course by sweeping the team titles, with a combined time of 58:55 in the boys race and 68:35 in the girls race.
The Cony boys finished third in 60:11. Caleb Richardson, who finished fifth overall with a time of 11:25, paced the Rams.
“We kind of front-loaded our relay team with our two fastest guys,” Cony coach Shawn Totman said. “I thought a little pressure on our three, four and five guys was good, and they responded. They were able to hold the lead until really the last half-mile, we ended up getting passed by Mt. Ararat and Bangor. But it was a good team effort by our boys, I was happy.”
Totman is also pleased that his Rams will enter championship season healthy.
“It’s been a rough few weeks,” Totman said. “But they’re healthy, they’re training really well, so all signs are pointing to good championship meets coming up.”
The Mt. Blue boys finished fourth (60:32) thanks to Sam Stinson, who finished 10th (11:43).
On the girls side, Maranacook had a strong day, finishing second with a time of 69:48, with Mt. Ararat tallying a time of 68:35.
“I’m very happy,” Maranacook coach Rosalea Kimball said. “I was just talking with my captain, Maddie (Taylor), and we’re very happy with the results. We were happy we were so close with Mt. Ararat. We didn’t know how strong they are. Less than a minute behind, that’s not too shabby.”
Molly McGrail had the best individual time for the Black Bears, finishing at 12:59. It was the best time by a sophomore girl, and third best overall.
“(The Mt. Blue race officials) said she ran the eighth-fastest time on the course ever,” Kimball said. “Obviously, she was psyched. She said ‘Coach, do you think I can run a 13:30?’ And I said ‘yes,’ and she ran it in 12:59.”
McGrail’s teammate, Lauren Parent, finished seventh (13:36). Mt. Blue’s Kathryn Cullenberg placed fifth (13:28) overall. The top female time went to Mt. Ararat’s Katherine Leckbee, with a time of 12:36.
Bangor’s Gabe Coffey had the top boys time, at 10:45. Finishing second was Waterville’s Nick Dall (10:51). Maranacook’s Luke Bartol finished seventh (11:34).
Runners from around the state gather at the starting line at the Mt. Blue cross country relay races in Farmington on Friday.A Mt. Ararat runner crosses the fieldat the Mt. Blue cross country relay races in Farmington on Friday.
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