York Boys Win First State Title In Maine In 70 Years

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

The York High boys cross country team won a state title in Maine that was 70 years in the making. At Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast, York used a strong pack mentality, with all five scoring runners placing from ninth place to 29th, all within 35 seconds, to score 84 points and win the Class B Maine State Cross Country Championship.

“We knew it was going to be close,” York coach Ted Hutch told the PressHerald.com. “We’ve been fighting this for 70 years. This is huge.”

York, which last won a title in 1948, held off defending champion Lincoln Academy (90 points). 

Fryeburg Academy senior Alfie Walker edged out sophomore Martin Home of Freeport to win the B individual race in 16:18. Home, a sophomore, finished second in 16:19.

The Ellsworth girls held off Yarmouth, 87-90, to win the Class B title, placing four in the top 25. Sophomore Lila Gaudrault of Cape Elizabeth won the B individual title in 18:42. 

In girls Class A, Falmouth sophomore Sofie Matson won her second straight title, clocking    18:33, the fastest time of the day for any girl. Bonny Eagle claimed the A team crown with 63 points, going 4-5 up front. 

In Class A boys, junior Lisandro Berry-Gaviria of Mt. Ararat improved on his time by almost a minute as he defended his title in 15:35. Scarborough High tallied 89 points to claim the team title.

Sophomore Olivia Reynolds of Maine Coast defended her Class C crown, winning in 19:05, improving by more than a minute. The team race was once again won by Orono with 41 points. 

In the Class C boys race, Henry Spritz of Waynflete won in 17:03, defending his title. Maine Coast Waldorf won the team title with 72 points, going 8-9. 

Team Champions

Boys A - Falmouth 73 points

Girls A - Bonny Eagle 63 points

Boys B - York 84  points

Girls B - Ellsworth 87 points

Boys C - Maine Coast Waldorf 72 points

Girls C - Orono 41 points