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By GARY HAWKINS
Staff Writer 10/26/2007

Staff Writer

A year after a disappointing finish at the state cross country meet, the Winthrop boys team is feeling pretty good about its chances for winning its first-ever state title.

Coming of its Western Maine Regional title, Winthrop will be the favorite for the Class C championship Saturday at Leavitt High School. Last week at the regionals, the Ramblers knocked off four-time defending state champion Lisbon.

“The guys are excited,” Winthrop coach Jay Lindsey. “They beat Lisbon and everybody else. They put on a good showing and ran the race they’re capable of.”

The Ramblers will have to deal with Eastern Maine champion Foxcroft Academy, but last week posted faster times on a tougher course.

“It’s always tough to compare East vs. West,” Lindsey said. “The top three teams in the West were faster than the No. 1 team in the East.”

The Ramblers rely heavily on their 1-2 punch of Danny Soltan and Tor O’Brien. Last week, Soltan won the race and O’Brien finished third. They also got a strong race from junior Alex Cottrell, who finished 10th overall and third for the team.

“My third runner has been any one of four different guys,” Lindsey said.

The winning team in each Class earns a trip to the New England meet, this year being held Nov. 10 at Twin Brooks Recreation Center in Cumberland. After the winning teams, the three next best teams regardless of Class qualify. Because of the strength in Class A, Lindsey thinks his team will have to win to qualify. Individual winners in each Class also qualify for the New England meet. After that, the top 22 runners regardless of Class qualify. A number of area teams and individuals are competing Saturday although not likely for state titles. Both the Hall-Dale boys and girls will run in the Class C race. The Hall-Dale boys, all underclassmen, all led by junior Wade Davis who finished second at the regionals while the girls are paced by senior Magen Ellis, who was also second at the regionals.

The Monmouth boys and girls are also competing in Class C.

“We want every one of our kids to have their best race of the year,” Monmouth coach Rick Amero said. “You’ve got a year to recover, we tell our kids.”

The Cony boys and girls will compete in the Class A meet. Last week, both teams finished fifth at the Eastern Regionals. Luke Fontaine paced the boys with a ninth-place finish while Morgan Beede placed 12th for the girls.

Competing individually for Maranacook are Jenny Monsulick and Taylor Burr, and Jacob Knox and Tucker Mitchell.

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

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