Freshman Lanny Zentz, left, senior Oshi Ragot and Jenna Eldridge run through the pack while on course at the Class C North Regional championship on October 20. By Monique Labbe
Blue Hill—The George Stevens Academy boys cross-country team took second place at the 2018 Class C North Regional championship behind Orono High School on Saturday, October 20, in Belfast, while four runners on the girls side finished in the top 30 and qualified for the state championship individually.
Caden Mattson led the charge for the Eagles on the 5,000 meter course, coming in with a fifth place time of 18:06. Teammate Clark Morrison finished six seconds behind him for sixth place. Ian Renwick also finished inside the top 10, with an eighth place time of 18:28.
Other George Stevens Academy runners who finished in the top 30 to qualify for the state meet included Andrew Szwez (17th) and Sean Schweizer (25th).
On the girls side, Tess Williamson posted the best finish for the Eagles, coming in 17th with a time of 22:56. Teammate Lanny Zentz ran in right behind her to finish in 18th place with a time of 22:57.
Susannah Jakub (22nd) and Oshi Ragot (24th) also qualified for the state meet, with times of 23:14 and 23:27, respectively.
Head coach Todd Eckenfelder said his team’s preparation leading up to the regional championship was similar to regular season preparation.
“We ran an average of three to five miles per day, [except] for [only two miles] Friday,” he said. “Mostly we focused on measuring previous performances and discussing strategy and preparedness for race day with them.”
Looking ahead to the state championship, Eckenfelder said his team will continue to prepare as they have, with even more emphasis on figuring out the times the runners need to make a run at the title.
“Our expectations are to improve upon last week’s race for everyone. We cannot control how the other teams do, but if we want to win states for the boys, we are going to have to improve a little more this time around,” he said.
Each runner will have an individual expectation, he added, with the goal of helping the team in mind.
“Winning a state championship is our number one goal,” he said.
Eckenfelder also noted that the performance of his girls team “inspired him,” and that he is looking forward to watching them compete at the state meet in an individual capacity.
The 2018 Class C State Championship is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, October 27, at Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast.
George Stevens Academy junior Caden Mattson crosses the finish line in fifth place during the Class C North Regional championship on October 20. By Monique Labbe
George Stevens Academy sophomore Ian Renwick, left, sophomore Andrew Szwez, freshman Clark Morrison and junior Caden Mattson take off from the start during the Class C North Regional championship on October 20. By Monique Labbe