– KEVIN THOMAS

Staff Writer

Additional Photos

Kendra Lobley of Poland sets the early pace with eventual winner Heather Evans (910) of York close behind during the girls’ race at the Western Maine Conference cross country meet Thursday at Falmouth. Lobley finished fifth, and Cape Elizabeth won the Division I title. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Heather Evans of York pulls away from the pack as she nears the finish of the girls’ race in the Western Maine Conference championship Thursday at Falmouth Community Park. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Silas Eastman of Fryeburg Academy reaches the finish line comfortably ahead of runner-up Abshir Horor of Waynflete in the boys’ race. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

FALMOUTH – The Western Maine Conference individual cross country titles belonged to the young Thursday, as Fryeburg Academy sophomore Silas Eastman and York High freshman Heather Evans enjoyed victories at Falmouth Community Park.

The Falmouth boys and Cape Elizabeth girls took the Division I team championships, and the North Yarmouth Academy boys and Yarmouth girls won the Division II titles. The conference divided team results into two divisions this year.

Eastman worked his way to a commanding lead but felt the effects of a regrettable indulgence earlier.

“I had french fries for lunch,” Eastman said. “Kind of a bad decision. In the second half of the race I started to get cramps.

“I knew they were catching me, so I sprinted in.”

Eastman completed the 3-mile course in 16 minutes, 18.80 seconds. Waynflete junior Abshir Horor finished second in 16:25, followed by Falmouth junior Tim Follo (16:28), Greely senior Sam Johnston (16:57), Merriconeag sophomore Jack Pierce (17:11) and York’s Mitchell Finitz (17:15).

Falmouth stopped Greely’s three-year winning streak in this meet, totaling 42 points, followed by the Rangers (62), York (63) and Cape Elizabeth (81).

“It was a pretty good race,” Follo said. “It’s fun to be on a team where everyone is pretty much equal. No real standouts.”

Follo was being modest.

Yachtsmen Coach Jorma Kurry said there is parity “but our team is kind of Tim and a bunch of guys who rotate around. That’s nice, because it gives us options if someone has an off day.”

John Lake had a strong race for Falmouth, finishing seventh. Conor McGrory placed 15th, ahead of teammates Henry Briggs (19th) and Azad Jalali (27).

In the girls’ race, a lead pack formed with Poland senior Kendra Lobley, Greely freshman Kirsten Sandreuter and Evans.

But Cape Elizabeth senior Kelsey Barton made a charge halfway through the race.

“That was definitely a surprise,” Evans said. “We didn’t see her at all at the beginning.”

Barton took the lead, with Evans sticking behind. Over the last 400 meters, both Evans and Sandreuter caught up and finished 1-2, Evans in 20:10.70, Sandreuter in 20:16. Barton crossed in 20:17, followed by teammate Rachel Nichols (20:52) and Lobley (20:57).

“Those freshmen girls have really good kicks,” Barton said.

Evans bounced back nicely from her eighth-place finish in the Southwest Classic two weeks ago.

“It wasn’t a good race for me,” Evans said of the all-class meet. “Then we raced in Poland and (Lobley) beat me by quite a bit there. So I’m very pleased with this race.”

Barton stayed out of the lead group intentionally as the Capers ran in a pack at the start to boost the team performance.

It worked, as the Capers put in a strong showing with their fourth straight conference title while keeping an eye on the regional and state meets later this month.

“We know when the state meet comes around we have some competition this year,” said Cape Coach Mary Ann Doss. “We’re working on certain things to get ready. We wanted to get the pack closer together, which we did. We’re making progress.”

Cape has competed in some out-of-state meets but took this past weekend off from racing.

“This is the first year we did it and I saw a big difference,” Doss said. “Usually when we race at this meet, we’re tired. This meet, we felt good. Today was a huge confidence booster for us.”

Emma Inhorn placed seventh, Catherine Tierney ninth and Emily Lobosco 18th for the Capers, who had 34 points, followed by Falmouth (62), York (71) and Greely (112).

In Division II, Yarmouth led the four girls’ teams with 24 points, while NYA led the five-team boys’ field with 50.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

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