There was no shortage of excitement for aficionados of indoor track, swimming and skiing last week as plenty of hardware was bestowed.

Here’s a glimpse:

Track

Scarborough’s juggernaut boys’ indoor track program continues to monopolize Class A.

Last Monday, the Red Storm made it four championships in a row and five in six seasons by tallying 91.33 points to outdistance runners-up South Portland and Cheverus, who both finished with 62.

Scarborough got wins from Jacob Terry in the two-mile (10 minutes, 3.72 seconds), Michael Pino in the shot put (50 feet, 9 inches), its 800 relay (Austin Doody, Cameron Langlois, Jerry Kenney and Max Ornstein, 1:34.46) and its 3,200 relay (Lucas Foerster, Will Fowler, Terry and Alex Karam, 8:27.00).

Just those four victories would have placed the Red Storm third in the meet, but the program’s depth ultimately put it over the top.

Langlois was second in the 55 hurdles (8.09 seconds). Colin Jones finished third in the 800 (2:03.49). Kenney placed third in the 400 (52.49) and was fifth in the 55 (6.94). Sam Rusak placed third in the pole vault (12-6) and wound up in a three-way tie for seventh in the high jump (5-10). Hugh McSorley came in third in the shot put (48-11.5). Edward James was fourth in the pole vault (12-0). Jacob Bloom came in fourth in the mile (4:43.06). Maxim Doiron finished fifth in the 55 hurdles (8.33). Karam was sixth in the 800 (2:06.12). Ornstein came in sixth in the 200 (24.04) and seventh in the 55 (6.96).

The first few events at the state meet set the tone for the whole day. We won the 4×800 and went 1-3 in the shot put.  We had athletes in 12 different events and we scored in all 12 events. That’s the first time I’ve ever had that happen and it really shows the quality and depth of the program to be able to accomplish something like that.”

Anyone hoping Scarborough won’t be a factor next season, will be disappointed.

“We were a very young team this winter with just six seniors, so we’ll have a strong nucleus back,” said Veilleux. “We have eight returning athletes that scored in at least one event coming back, plus we’ll have distance standout Colin Tardiff returning from injury. It’ll be a new year and a chance for a new group to continue the strong tradition of Scarborough track and field.”

South Portland posted its best finish since the 2002 team won the championship.

The Red Riots, again, absolutely dazzled in the jumps.

In the long jump, Duncan Preston was first (21-1), Ben Michaud placed second (20-3.5) and Michael Cuesta was third (20-2.5), giving South Portland 24 points in that single event.

In the triple jump, the Red Riots did the same thing, as Cuesta (45-4, a school record), Preston (42-9.75) and Michaud (41-8.5) went 1-2-3.

Preston also placed fourth in the shot put (47-4), while Daniel Guiliani came in seventh in the shot put (44-11.5). Jack Salamone was seventh in the mile (4:52.78).

The Red Riots were fourth in the 800 relay (Michaud, Cuesta, Luchmoch Bol and Jordan Sasi, 1:37.50) and also came in fourth in the 3,200 relay (Gavin Damian-Loring, Bryan Currie, Jacob Maloney and Jon Bagley, 8:40.29).

“We had a great performance at states,” said South Portland coach David Kahill. “The team was seeded for fourth place and 46 points, but we knew that we could score over 60 points if we had a very good day. Both the 4x800m and 4x200m relay teams were not seeded to place, but ran exceptionally well. Jack took seventh in the mile with an outstanding kick.

“Our long and triple jumpers are a special group and had a special year. Obviously, they are extremely talented, but also they have been dedicated to work together to improve themselves and their teammates for their entire high school careers and their state meet performances were outstanding. They all jumped with great focus, poise, and positive energy. Some veteran coaches claim that this is the first time a team has swept the long and triple jumps, although I have not researched to confirm that claim. The triple jump was especially magical because it was the only event going on at the time and Ben, Duncan and Michael were the last three jumpers in the finals. Michael’s school record jump ended the triple jump competition with euphoria for our whole team as well as many of the onlookers who respected those athletes.

“Duncan’s success in his three events was exceptional and unique. He placed in the long jump, triple jump and shot put for the second year in a row. Veteran coaches both said that that has never been done before in a Class A indoor track state championship.”

We were very proud to win the Sportsmanship Award and tie Cheverus for 2nd place overall. Cheverus has an excellent program and competed very well. Scarborough was exceptional as always, and we always love competed with them.

The Class A girls’ meet was won by Thornton Academy with 53 points. South Portland (33) tied Falmouth for sixth, while Scarborough (31) was eighth.

The Red Riots got third-place finishes from Lauren Magnuson in the 55 (7.55), Shannon Conley in the mile (5:20.02) and Callie O’Brien (who tied for third in the high jump, 5-0).

Also scoring were Magnuson (fourth in the 200, 27.32), Conley (fourth in the 800, 2:27.00), the fourth-place 800 relay (Bridget Campbell, Meagan Johnson, O’Brien and Magnuson, 1:52.04) and the fourth-place 3,200 relay (Casey Kelley, Serena McKenzie, Janey Blackwell-Orr and Conley, 10:10.65).

Scarborough was paced by Sarah Rinaldi, who was runner-up in the high jump (5-0). Aly Atherton finished third in the 400 (1:02.84) and seventh in the high jump (4-10). Cailley Ledue was third in the pole vault (9-0). Emma Koukos placed fifth in the 800 (2:28.32). Laura Volan finished sixth in the mile (5:32.12). The Red Storm was fifth in the 3,200 relay (Edie Christian, Katherine Kirk, Jenna Douglas, Koukos) and sixth in the 800 relay (Ledue, Christian, Atherton, Kirk, 1:53.53).

In Class B, the Cape Elizabeth boys had 29 points to finish in a three-way tie for fifth with Fryeburg and North Yarmouth Academy (Waterville won with 60).

The Capers were sparked by Liam Simpson, the runner-up in the two-mile (9:38.42). Mitch Morris came in third in the two-mile (9:44.64). Deven Roberts tied for third in the high jump (5-10) and came in seventh in the 55 hurdles (8.73). Will Britton was sixth in the 800 (2:07.96). Harry Queeney finished in a three-way tie for sixth in the high jump (5-8).

Cape Elizabeth was third in the 3,200 relay (Morris, Kyle Kennedy, Britton and Simpson, 8:32.98).

The Capers girls tallied 20 points to tie Belfast and Yarmouth for seventh place (Waterville was champion with 90).

Hailey Petsinger was runner-up in the 800 (2:32.23) with Eva Brydson right behind in third place (2:34.10). Cape Elizabeth’s 3,200 relay (Petsinger, Samantha Feenstra, Hayley Doss and Eva Brydson) was third (10:18.79).

Swimming

Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ swim team won the Class A championship a year ago and moved down to Class B this winter, where they didn’t experience much of a dropoff.

Last week, in the state meet, the Capers tallied 252 points to finish runner-up to Mt. Desert Island (326).

Sydney Wight won the 200 freestyle in 1 minute, 55.89 seconds and was runner-up in the 100 butterfly (57.72 seconds).

Also placing second were diver Michaela Pinette (172.25 points) and the 200 medley relay team (Taylor Herrera, Sadie Stiles, Wight and Caroline Herriman, 1:54.56).

Anni Ball placed third in diving (157.80). Herriman was fifth in the 100 free (57.16) and sixth in the 50 free (25.42). Stiles was fifth in the breaststroke (1:10.00).

Cape Elizabeth finished third in the 200 free relay (Herriman, Sierra Bates, Katie Connolly and Wight, 1:44.07) and sixth in the 400 free relay (Sarah Loring, Jane Vaughan, Bates, Shannon Howard, 4:09.56).

Cape Elizabeth will make another run at the top spot next winter.

“It will be hard to replace the points and leadership of Sydney, Caroline and Jane, but we have a talented group of juniors who I know will be great leaders next season,” Raymond said. “Numbers won’t be an issue, so it will just be up to qualifying swimmers in the correct events and competing again with MDI and Greely.”

In the Class B boys’ meet, Cape Elizabeth had 197 points to place third behind five-time champion Greely (289) and runner-up Morse (263).

Jordan Petersen was runner-up in the 200 free (1:51.12) and came in third in the fly (54.83). Alex Mukai placed fourth in the 500 free (5:03.78) and was fifth in the 200 free (1:54.82). Reese McFarlane finished seventh in the breaststroke (1:07.33). Kyle Long came in eighth in the 100 backstroke (1:03.20).

The Capers were third in the medley relay (Mukai, McFarlane, Petersen, Griffin Thoreck, 1:45.51), fourth in the 200 free relay (Petersen, McFarlane, Long, Thoreck, 1:37.26) and seventh in the 400 free relay (Mukai, Ethan DuPerre, Wyatt Page and Long, 3:42.45).

“The boys’ meet was a little crazy this year, they switched it to timed finals due to the storm and didn’t make the decision until everyone was at the meet in the morning,” Raymond said. “It probably helped our group overall, but it was a little bit of an adjustment in mindset for the swimmers and coaches. Everyone again had best times and swam well and competed with the top teams.” 

Cape Elizabeth will eye the top spot next winter.

“Replacing Jordan and Ethan will be difficult, but we have a very talented group of eighth graders coming in,” Raymond said. “That should help make the team even deeper and bring in some more front-line swimmers to add to the depth.  With another year of training under their belt, next year’s team should challenge for the state title.”

In Class A, the Scarborough boys had 87 points and came in 11th, while South Portland (79) finished 13th (Cheverus won the title, 368-358, over Bangor).

The Red Storm were led by Kyle Ankermann, who came in fifth in the 50 free (23.53) and eighth in the 100 free (52.45), and diver Nate Erickson (fifth with 232.05 points).

The Red Riots featured Nick Alvarez, who was seventh in the 200 free (1:54.62) and seventh in the fly (57.70), and their 400 free relay (Alvarez, JT. Fix, Thomas Richards and Colin Harle, 3:35.38), which also came in seventh.

In the girls’ meet, also won by Cheverus with 294 points, Scarborough (65) placed 14th and South Portland (26) was 18th.

The Red Storm was paced by its eighth-place 400 free relay squad (Edie Frederick, Julia Walker, Hallie O’Donnell and Aleeza Barkas, 4:16.33).

The Red Riots featured diver Dima Karakitakova, who was eighth with 131.85 points.

Skiing

The Nordic ski state championships were held last week, with the Alpine crowns to be decided this coming weekend.

In Class B, Cape Elizabeth finished seventh on both the boys’ and girls’ sides. Yarmouth swept the titles.

The Capers girls were led by Dana Hatton, who came in seventh in the freestyle (16 minutes, 36.3 seconds) and placed 11th in the classical (20:52.5).

The boys’ team was paced by Julian Pelzer, who came in seventh in the both the classical (17:12.2) and the freestyle (14:20.1).

In Class A, Scarborough and South Portland didn’t score as a team (Falmouth won both genders), but some individuals impressed.

In the boys’ competition, Scarborough’s Camden Jepson finished 15th in the freestyle (16:10.5) and 22nd in the classical (20:19.3).

In the girls’ meet, Red Riot Cecilia Howard came in 34th in the classical (26:20.6) and 43rd in the freestyle (24:06.3)

The Red Storm featured Brady Stolz, who was 44th in the freestyle (24:29.5) and 46th in the classical (30:01.2), and Juliet Karam, 45th in the skate (24:36.6) and 49th in the classical (31:09.5).

Scarborough’s Alpine team joined five others at the Southwestern Maine Activities Association championships Monday and both Red Storm teams came in second to Marshwood.

Red Storm standout Abby Mills won the slalom with a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 49.38 seconds and took the giant slalom in 1:06.29. Also placing in the top 10 were teammates Sarah Hassler (fourth in the slalom, 1:59.91, and 10th in the GS, 1:15.17) and May Callahan (ninth in the slalom, 2:14.58).

The boys were paced by Andrew Mills, who came in second in the slalom (1:38.44) and was also runner-up in the GS (1:05.14). Matthew McAlary finished seventh in the GS (1:07.98) and was ninth in the slalom (1:53.76). Marc Guerette placed ninth in the GS (1:10.91).

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

Sidebar Elements

The South Portland boys’ indoor track team, which placed second at last week’s Class A state championship meet, was the first-ever recipient of the Maine Principals’ Association’s Good Sportsmanship Award for track and field. 

The Scarborough boys’ 800 meter relay team, which won the Class A title last week, will take part in the New Balance Indoor Nationals March 14 in New York City. The Red Storm was the only team from Maine to qualify.

Team members (left to right): Captain Austin Doody, captain Cam Langlois, Jerry Kenney, Max Ornstein.

Cape Elizabeth’s Caroline Garfield takes part in the mile at last week’s Class B state track meet. Garfield finished eighth and just missed scoring.

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