MAINE STATE MEET

Ruth White Breaks Course Record For Second Straight Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Saturday’s state meet may have been just warm up for Ruth White ahead of the New England Cross Country Championship in two weeks. The Orono junior repeated as the Maine Class C state cross country champion, winning the 5,000-meter race at Twin Brook Recreation Park in Cumberland in 18:02.

White, who is the defending New England champion, is undefeated this fall, including winning the Festival of Champions in Belfast in a course record time of 17:27.15. On Saturday, as she won the race by more than a minute, her team defended its state title as well, as younger sister Clara White (20:35.50) and Maya Boyington (10:38.79), both freshmen, finished fifth and sixth. Orono had six runners in the top 20 to score 29 points.

In the boys Class C race, Bucksport’s William Hileman ran away with the individual win, crossing the line in 16:45.21. The team title went to George Stevens Academy with 61 points.

Bonny Eagle maintained its dominance in Class A. Junior Addy Thibodeau guided Bonny Eagle to a Class A girls title, winning the race in 19:04.08. Bonny Eagle defended its title as four runners were in the top nine to score 32 points.

In the boys Class A race, Hampden Academy repeated as state champs as senior Charlie Collins won the race in 16:29.57, which was the fastest time of the day. 

York junior Cary Drake guided her team to a Class B title, winning the race in 18:51.82. York scored 63 points with four runners finishing in the top 20. 

The Class B boys title was won by Freeport, as Henry Home’s fourth-place finish (17:14.39) led five runners in the top 15 to tally 35 points. Individually, junior Carter Libby of Gray New Gloucester won the race in 16:50.13, edging out Sam York of Mt. Desert (16:51.18). 

Team Champions

Class A - Hampden Academy 52 points; Bonny Eagle girls 32 points - RESULTS

Class B - Freeport boys 35 points; York girls 63 points - RESULTS

Class C -  George Stevens Academy boys  61 points; Orono girls 29 points - RESULTS