By Michael Hoffer
If it’s February, it must be time for the Greely indoor track program to take center stage.
That was certainly the case Saturday when the Rangers boys’ and girls’ squads won Western Maine Conference titles.
Greely’s boys tallied 162 points, 15 better than rival Falmouth. NYA (54 points) came in fifth, Yarmouth was 10th with 20 and Freeport (14) came in 11th.
On the girls’ side, the Ranger juggernaut racked up 138 points. Falmouth (126.5) was a close second. NYA (29 points) placed seventh and Freeport was 10th with 17. Yarmouth did not score.
SUBHEAD-Battle Royale
Greely and Falmouth aren’t just neighbors, they’re also rivals in every sport, with track being among the fiercest. The Yachtsmen moved up to Class B in 2002-03, the last time the Rangers won the Class B championship. Falmouth has captured the last three state crowns, but Saturday proved to be Greely’s time to shine.
The Rangers, despite all their glory, had never won the conference title. That finally changed thanks to some record-setting performances.
Nate Martin set a new benchmark in the senior 200 by winning in 22.82 seconds. Mark McAuley established a new mark in the 800 with his time of 1 minute, 56.16 seconds.
Other first place finishers included Sam Mason in the junior 55 (7.1), Austin Spencer in the junior 55 hurdles (8.7), Peter Colesworthy in the senior 55 hurdles (8.13), Logan Price in the mile (4:32.15) and two-mile (9:53.39), and the Rangers’ 3,200 relay team (8:50.06).
Martin was also the runner-up in the senior 55 (6.69) and in the long jump (20-6 1/2). Mason was second in the junior 400 (54.51) and sixth in the long jump (18-5 1/2). Spencer finished second in the triple jump (39 feet, 1/4 inch). James LePage was runner-up to McAuley in the mile (4:36.27) and placed third in the 800 (2:03.66). Ryan Storey finished third in the senior high jump (6 feet) and tied for fourth in the pole vault (10 feet). Jack Fellows was third in the junior shot put (34 feet, 1 3/4 inches). Colesworthy was fifth in the triple jump (38 feet). Matt Davis was fifth in the junior high jump (5 feet). Greg Ferland was sixth in the junior 55 hurdles (11 seconds). Andy Fitch was sixth in the two-mile (10:26.20).
Greely was also runner-up to Falmouth in the junior 800 relay (1:52.49) and placed third in the senior 800 relay (1:38.19).
“In preliminary seeds, the boys looked to be a handful of points behind Falmouth,” said Rangers coach John Folan. “There was little to choose between Falmouth and Greely on the day. The record performances of Nate and Mark were particularly memorable. Logan’s double was outstanding and difficult.
“It will be a war on the boys’ side at states between Falmouth, Greely and Hampden Academy. Hampden and Greely’s points occur in similar events, so we may take points away from each other.”
Falmouth won two relays and six individual events.
Tom Winger set a new conference record in the triple jump (43 feet, 1 1/2 inches). Winger also won the long jump (22 feet, 1/2 inch), was fourth in the senior 400 (52.98) and was named the Field Event MVP.
Other first place finishers included Will Wegener in the junior 200 (24.39) and junior 400 (53.27), Kristopher Floridino in the senior shot put (48-6) and Dallin Thomas in the pole vault (12 feet).
The Yachtsmen won the junior (1:43.16) and senior 800 (1:35.61) relays and were second to Greely in the 3,200 (9:07.80).
Kellen MacDonald was second in the senior 400 (52.62), runner-up in the senior 55 hurdles (8.39) and tied Thomas for fourth in the senior high jump (5-10). Jimmy Polewcyzk was third in the junior 55 (7.41) and fourth in the junior 400 (57.87). Reid Pryzant finished third in the junior 55 hurdles (9.59) and fifth in the junior 200 (27.07). Alec Dunn placed third in the senior 55 hurdles (8.97) and was fifth in the senior 400 (55.90). Mike Serunian placed fourth in the 800 (2:09.68). Jamey Epstein came in fifth in the two-mile (10:20.68). Michael Gardner was sixth in the senior 400 (55.94).
“We knew Greely would be a very tough challenge,” said Falmouth coach Jorma Kurry. “We got great performances from Tommy, Kris and Dallin, who showed their experience by coming through throughout the day.
“We’ll get set for a tough meet at states. It will be an uphill climb, but we have some experienced athletes who will give us a great chance.”
NYA was led by Sam Fear, who was runner-up in both the senior high jump (6-2) and the senior shot put (45-4), and Henry Sterling, who was second in the 800 (2:00.31) and third in the two-mile (9:59.78).
Robby Lentine finished third in the junior 400 (57.43) and fourth in the junior 45 (7.43). Steven Lentine was fourth in the senior 55 hurdles (9.56). Jeff Chaney came in sixth in the junior shot put (29-9 1/4).
The Panthers were fourth in the junior relay (1:47.41), fourth in the 3,200 relay (9:14.02) and sixth in the senior 800 relay (1:43.85).
Yarmouth’s top finisher was Ebrahim Fazeli, who placed fourth in the senior 55 (6.89) and fifth in the senior 200 (24.01). Brodie Woodson was fourth in the senior shot put (36-4). Jacob Whiting-Kooy placed fourth in the long jump (19-1 3/4).
The Clippers came in fourth in the senior 800 relay (1:39.85) and fifth in the 3,200 relay (9:17.80).
For Freeport, Connor Yost was runner-up in the pole vault (12 feet) and Orion Sickels was fourth in the junior 200 (26.24) and fifth in the junior 55 (7.44).
SUBHEAD-Dynasty continues
While the Greely boys were busy winning their first conference crown, the girls went out and made it 10 in a row.
The Rangers, who have also won 13 of the past 18 Class B state titles (including seven of the past eight), only won three events, but rode their usual balanced performance to victory as 18 different girls scored.
Hillary Cederna was first in the senior 200 (26.38) and was runner-up in the senior 400 (54.51) and the long jump (16-7 1/2). Stella Keck took the junior 55 hurdles (9.77) and was fourth in the junior 200 (29.45). Hannah Werneth continued the program’s dominance in the senior shot put, winning with a throw of 35-5 1/4.
Liza LePage was runner-up in the 800 (2:27.38). Emily Christensen finished third in the junior 55 (7.97) and was third in the junior 200 (29.29). Katherine Harrington was third in the junior shot put (32-2 1/2). Aimee Burgess placed third in the senior shot put (33-7 1/4). Meaghan Crowley was third in the triple jump (31-1 1/4). Erin Cadigan placed fourth in the triple jump (31-0 1/2). Lili Grieves was fourth in the senior shot put (31-1). Elizabeth Morrone was fourth in the junior 400 (1:08.15). Meaghan Crowley placed fourth in the junior 55 (7.98). Anna Whitaker was fourth in the junior shot put (29-3 1/2) and fifth in the junior 55 (8.06). Bethany Powers was fifth in the triple jump (29-9 3/4). Emily Colesworthy placed fifth in the junior 55 hurdles (11.13). Jessa Steinman came in fifth in the senior 400 (1:05.12). Katelyn Boynton finished sixth in the junior 200 (29.75). Melissa Jacques was sixth in the mile (5:58.81).
In the relays, Greely placed runner-up in the junior (1:55.38) and senior (1:52.49) 800 and was fourth in the 3,200 (10:39.40).
“The meet was competitive right until the last events,” Folan said. “Hillary’s sprint and jump work was outstanding. Five different female throwers scored.
“This year’s state meet should be outrageously competitive. Waterville, Greely, Cape Elizabeth and possibly Winslow leave very little to pick among.”
Falmouth’s Adrienne Michalakis won two events: the junior 55 (7.74) and the junior 200 (27.94). Rosemary Nurse was first in the junior high jump (4-10) and came in second in the junior 55 hurdles (9.87). Jenna Serunian won the junior shot put (33-4). The Yachtsmen were also tops in the junior relay (1:55.01).
Kate Sparks was second to Serunian in the junior shot put (33-2 1/2). Abby Smith tied for second in the pole vault (8 feet). Ali McClellan came in third in the senior 55 (7.87), third in the senior 200 (28.07), and was third in the long jump (16-4 1/4). Amy Webster placed third in the junior 400 (1:07.64). Rachel Brown was fourth in the 800 (2:34.60). Alison Coyne came in fourth in the senior high jump (4-6). Francesca D’Alfonso finished fifth in the 800 (2:35.52). Shaina Sirois was fifth in the junior 400 (1:09.68). Rachelle Lewis was sixth in the senior 55 (8.16). Adriana Fox finished sixth in the long jump (15-8 1/2). Emily Rand finished sixth in the triple jump (28-10 1/4). Grace Baker tied for sixth in the senior high jump (4-4).
Falmouth was runner-up to York in the 3,200 relay (10:21.97) and placed third in the senior relay (1:55.99).
“The girls had a great day,” Kurry said. “Greely is built for big meets and always performs well. The girls got closer to Greely than we ever have at the conference meet. We’re shooting for a top five state finish and things are falling into place nicely for us.”
For NYA, its junior relay team had the best showing, third, in 2 minutes, 6.27 seconds. The Panthers finished fourth in the senior relay (2:00.73) and were fifth in the 3,200 relay (10:40.93).
Individually, Alison Carpenter came in fourth in the senior 55 (8.06). Hannah Twombley was fourth in the mile (5:44.08). Hannah Bewsey had a fifth-place showing in the senior high jump (4-4). Alexandra O’Reilly was fifth in the senior shot put (30-3 1/2). Hilary Gibson was fifth in the pole vault (7-6) and sixth in the senior 200 (28.64). Danielle Walton finished sixth in the senior 400 (1:06.54). Sarah Jordan was sixth in the junior 400 (1:10.21).
Freeport finished third in the 3,200 relay (10:25.06) and sixth in the senior relay (2:01.36). Adrian Baker placed fourth in the senior 400 (1:04.63). Caroline Davis was fourth in the two-mile (12:31.36) and Andrea Grant was fifth in the junior shot put (27 feet).
SUBHEAD-States
The Class B indoor track state championships are Monday Feb. 16, beginning at 10 a.m at Bates College in Lewiston.
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net
Greely’s Peter Colesworthy (left) held off Falmouth’s Kellen MacDonald to win the senior 55 hurdles Saturday at the Western Maine Conference championship meet. The Rangers also edged the Yachtsmen for first place as a team. (John Jensenius photo)
Falmouth’s Adrienne Michalakis helped Falmouth win the junior 800 relay. She also was first in the junior 55 and the junior 200 as the Yachtsmen were second to Greely. (John Jensenius photo)

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