A Red Storm descended upon Belfast Saturday afternoon as both Scarborough cross country teams took home Class A championships.

The girls took part in their first state meet since 2010 and captured their first title since 2008. The Red Storm tallied 92 points, four better than runner-up Massabesic. Leading the way for Scarborough was Bethany Sholl, who placed ninth individually in 20 minutes, 6.38 seconds. Also scoring were Laura Volan (12th, 20:11.58), Marisa Carbone (15th, 20:13.25), Samantha Saraceno (16th, 20:14.32) and Morgan Mckeown (40th, 21:19.34).

“We’ve had a lot of confidence all year,” said longtime Red Storm coach Ron Kelly. “Each time we competed against Massabesic, it was very close. We knew after the regional meet, we had to have our top four in the front and whoever was going to be my fifth had to be closer to their fifth. Morgan Mckeown had her dream race for us and my top four were solid again. My top 10 are all back next year.”

Scarborough’s boys reversed the result from the regional meet and beat Falmouth, 73 points to 87. The Red Storm featured the fourth-place finisher in Jacob Terry (16:05.18). Also scoring were Connor Doherty (14th, 16:44.58), Colin Tardiff (16th, 16:46.77), Andrew Sholl (17th, 16:51.60) and Jacob Bloom (22nd, 17:01.60).

“I was incredibly impressed with our team all season and with our top seven runners at states,” said Scarborough coach Jim Harmon. “We ran to win at regionals and finished second to a strong Falmouth team by three points, so we knew to win at states, we had to run harder and dig deeper. That’s easy to say and plan, but not easy to accomplish. Well, this team did accomplish it. All seven ran incredible races. Maybe the races of their lives so far. Falmouth is a great team with excellent and experienced coaches, so to beat them by 14 after just losing to them last week makes this the best state championship meet ever. It really took guts and determination and our guys never gave up.”

Scarborough swept the titles for just the second time (2008). Don’t be surprised if 2015 is the third time that happens. 

“We lose four of our top seven, but we have a deep team of talent, so I think we’ll still be very strong next year and in the running for another state title,” Harmon said. 

South Portland’s girls had 164 points to place sixth for the third year in a row. Leading the way for the Red Riots was Casey Loring, who was sixth in 19:46.78. Serena Mckenzie also finished in the top 10 (10th, 20:06.62). Also scoring were Delphi Bourassa (33rd, 21:10.79), Janey Blackwell-Orr (41st, 21:20.51) and Jenny DiPhillippo (74th, 22:50.50).

South Portland’s boys didn’t qualify as a team, but Gavin Damian-Loring competed as an individual and had the 28th-best time (17:17.64).

In the Class B boys’ meet, won by Freeport with 57 points, Cape Elizabeth, the two-time defending state champion, was third with 92. The Capers were led by individual champion Mitch Morris (16;13.61). Kyle Kennedy (16:42.10) wasn’t far behind in fourth. Also scoring were Mac Huffard (19th, 17:39.01), Jared Duperre (23rd, 17:47.95) and Arsen Scheindel (45th, 18:28.10).

Cape Elizabeth was also third in the girls’ meet with 84 points (Greely won with 59). The Capers were paced by Liv Palma (10th, 20:09.83). Also scoring were Rhoen Fiutak (12th, 20:12.63), Samantha Feenstra (14th, 20:20.71), Emma Shedd (16th, 20:22.42) and Madori Kwan (32nd, 21:30.89).

New Englands

The cross country season comes to a close Saturday in Manchester, Connecticut with the New England championships.

The Scarborough boys and the Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough girls teams all qualified.

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