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HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

H.S. TRACK AND FIELD: Eagles' Ladd sure to stay busy

Messalonskee junior to run 6,000 meters in 4 events at KVAC A meet

By Bill Stewart bstewart@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Harlow Ladd says he loves to run, which, considering his itinerary Saturday morning at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A meet, is a good thing.

Ladd, a Messalonskee High School junior, will do plenty of running Saturday at McMann Field in Bath.

"I'm going to do the 4x400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200," he said.

That all adds up to 6,000 meters for Ladd, one of the top distance runners in the state.

"It's going to be a big day," he said. "I'll be ready."

The KVAC A and B championship meet gets under way at 9 a.m. Saturday. Waterville is heavily favored to win girls and boys KVAC B titles for the sixth consecutive season. Edward Little, Mt. Ararat and Brunswick are the frontrunners in KVAC A.

The Mountain Valley Conference will crown its champions today at Alumni Field in Augusta, with the meet beginning at 1 p.m.

Hall-Dale and Winthrop should contend for both titles. Both Waterville teams are expected to run away with KVAC B titles Saturday.

"We're looking to balance out trying to win a conference championship but making sure we're in a good position to win a state championship," Waterville coach Ian Wilson said. "We'll score quite a few points.

The Purple Panthers are, indeed, loaded in most events, and as Maranacook coach Ronn Gifford said, "I don't think anyone is knocking on their door. Waterville alone has a number of guns who will be eye-opening and challenging for our athletes to go up against."

Isaiah Spofford (sprints), Jeff Hale (distance) and Alex Rowe (hurdles) anchor the Waterville boys. Spofford is seeded first in the 100, 200 and long jump.

On the girls side, Georgia Bolduc (sprints), Bethanie Brown (distance) and Olivia Thurston (hurdles, long jump) lead the Waterville girls.

"They are seeded very well," Wilson said. "We're looking forward to seeing some good competition."

Elsewhere in KVAC B, Alliyah Veilleux of Winslow is seeded first in the 100 and 200. The Maranacook boys should also score well. They hope to be in the mix Saturday.

Taylor Watson (hurdles), Evan Vincent (race walk), Harry Lanphear (discus, shot put) and Walker Thompson (400) lead Maranacook.

"We cover all the events pretty well," Gifford said. "The 1,600 and high jump are the only two that we don't have somebody in there. This is a real tuneup for the state meet."

At the KVAC A meet, Ladd is seeded first in the 3,200 and second in the 1,600 and 800.

Erzsie Nagy of Lawrence is seeded first in the 1,600 and 3,200. She is also seeded second in the 800. Lawrence sophomore Katie Dudley is first in the 100 hurdles. Lawrence senior Sarah Quimby is first in the high jump.

Cony will look for big days from Erin Bolduc (seeded first in the 300 hurdles) and Lindsey Folsom (first in the pole vault). Lawrence senior Kenneth Zahner is seeded first in the discus.

On the boys side, Cony sophomore Luke Dang is seeded second in the 200, fourth in the 100 and fourth in the 400.

"He's got room to move up, no question," Cony coach Jon Millett said.

At the MVC meet, Travis Hutchins (throws) and Karen Rice (sprints) lead Winthrop. Bri Crisci should score well in the 100 and 200 for Hall-Dale. Kevin Desmond (middle-distance) and Molly Menice (throws) lead Monmouth. Matt McClintock of Madison will also race against Chase Brown of Boothbay for the first time this season. The two will compete in the 1,600 and 3,200. McClintock edged Brown in both those races at the MVC meet last season.

Bill Stewart -- 621-5640

bstewart@centralmaine.com