Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD: Purple Panthers sweep Community Cup

By Travis Lazarczyk tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

WATERVILLE -- Sooner or later, one of the other four schools -- Lawrence, Messalonskee, Skowhegan and Winslow -- will win the Community Cup track and field meet.

Until then, the trophies will stay right where they've always been, on display at Waterville Senior High School. For the seventh time in the seven-year history of the meet, the Purple Panthers took the title in both the girls and boys meet.

The Waterville girls scored 172.5 points, with Winslow (99.5) second and Messalonskee (56) third.

The Waterville boys won with 184 points, almost 100 points better than second-place Messalonskee (86). Lawrence was third with 67 points.

Although this year's meet had the cold and raw feel of an early-season meet, the Community Cup has become a good tune-up for the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference meet, which is Saturday.

Arguably, the race of the day was run by Waterville's Jeff Hale in the boys 3,200-meter run. Hale and Messalonskee's Harlow Ladd separated from the pack early, and during most of the final four laps, Hale stayed just behind Ladd.

"I knew this was (Ladd's) fourth distance race of the day, and he might be tired," Hale said. "So if I could stay with him, I could outkick at the end."

With approximately half a lap to go, Hale made his move, and the race became a sprint for the final 100 meters. Hale overtook Ladd down the stretch, winning with a time of 10 minutes, 8.88 seconds to Ladd's 10:09.35.

"I started to pick up around the turn, and he definitely picked it up, too. I decided I've come this far, I can't stop now," Hale said.

The 3,200 capped a strong day for Hale, who earlier in the meet took the 800 in a close race with Ladd and Winslow's James Cassidy. Hale and Ladd were neck and neck after one lap, but with 200 meters to go on the final lap, both were passed by Cassidy.

Again, Hale had the best kick down the stretch and passed Cassidy just before the finish line to take first place in a time of 2:03.37. Cassidy was second (2:03.55), followed by Ladd.

"With about 50 meters left, I thought I could pass (Cassidy)," Hale said. "I haven't really run a good 800 yet. Running a good 800 gives me confidence for next week."

Waterville's Isaiah Spofford won the 100, 200 and triple jump (42 feet, 1.5 inches). His 100 time of 11.63 seconds led the Panthers to a 1-2-3 finish in the event, ahead of teammates Jake Sirois and Danny Pham.

In the 200, Spofford fan a 23.17, slightly off the sub-23 seconds he had hoped for.

"I really wanted to be under 23, but with the wind and the cold, it's OK," Spofford said.

One of the most anticipated events of the day was the girls 100, which featured some of the top sprinters in the state. Lawrence's Sasha Letourneau, Waterville's Katy Massey and Winslow's Alliyah Veilleux are each contenders for the KVAC title, but it was fifth-seeded Georgia Bolduc of Waterville who won, with a time of 12.90 seconds.

Bolduc focused on the phases of the sprint in recent practice sessions, she said.

"I have really bad form," said Bolduc, who also won the 200 with a time of 27.03 and the pole vault with a vault of 7 feet, 6 inches. "I'm pretty happy right now."

Olivia Thurston was a multiple winner for the Panthers, taking the 100 hurdles (16.31) and the long jump (15-4).

Veilleux took the shot put title for the Black Raiders with a throw of 31-05.5, and also won the 400 (1:03.38). Winslow's Katie Smith won the high jump (4-10). Meghan Wolfe of Winslow won the javelin with a throw of 99 feet.

Lawrence's Khristina Craig took first in the discus (88-11.50).

Ladd dominated the 1,600 for Messalonskee, finishing in 4:38.02, 15 seconds ahead of second place Cassidy.

Alex Rowe of Waterville won the 110 hurdles (16.51) and 300 hurdles (42.45). Nick Margitza of Waterville won the discus (127-9) and shot put (43-7). For Lawrence, Tim Dudley took first in the high jump (5-8). Winslow's Ryan Turner won the pole vault (11-6).

In the girls 3,200, Lawrence's Erzevet Nagy broke a 28-year old school record, finishing second with a time of 11:29.18.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com