GORHAM — With the help of freshmen through seniors, the Westbrook High girls captured their first league indoor track and field title in 34 years, winning the SMAA championships Saturday at the University of Southern Maine.

The boys’ meet, meanwhile, had a familiar result, as Scarborough won its eighth straight league title, finishing with 166 points to beat Thornton Academy (153) and Deering (134).

The Westbrook girls got strong performances across the board to score 111 points – 17 more than runner-up Cheverus. Scarborough (85) edged Bonny Eagle (84) for third place.

Nyagoa Bayak, a freshman, won two events, and nine other Blue Blazes scored in individual events, including victories by Kiersten Hilton in the pole vault (9-9) and Kelly Dyer in the triple jump (33-71/4).

“Our sprint medley came up huge (with a fifth place). It was not seeded,” said Westbrook Coach Tim Even. “Nyagoa was seeded to score 10 points. She scored 26 points. She’s incredible.

“These kids deserve this.”

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Dyer, in addition to her win in the triple jump, and took third in the long jump (15-1). Kelsey Cavanaugh was third the 200 meters (27.73) and second in the long jump (15-11/2) and triple jump (33-13/4). Courtney Arsenault was third in the 55 (7.81) and fourth in the 400 (1:04.32).

In the junior division, Bayak won the high jump (5-6) and improved her previous best by a foot in both the long jump and triple jump, placing first in the long jump (15-51/2) and third in the triple jump (32-0).

“She could place in all three events at states,” said Westbrook assistant coach Andy Lefebvre. “It’s her third meet doing these events, but she’s a quick study.”

The league title has been a long time coming, said senior Gabbi Pabst, who took sixth in the mile (5:46.99) and anchored the sprint medley relay (4:50.37).

“We were terrible when I was a freshman, but each year we get a little better,” Pabst said. “This year, we are taking it week by week.”

Bonny Eagle senior Elisabeth Redwood won three events – the 55 (7.60), 200 (26.10) and 400 (57.52). Her time in the 400 was the fastest ever by a Maine schoolgirl and broke her own SMAA record of 58.8.

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“My goal was to get the 400 record,” said Redwood. “I think cross country helped me a lot this year. It was only the second year I did it. It gave me sprint endurance.”

The boys’ meet was closer than the final score might indicate. Thornton led by as much as seven points, and Scarborough was ahead by just one point going into the relays.

Sam Rusak helped put the Red Storm in position to retain their crown, winning two events.

Rusak, who cleared 15-0 in the pole vault for the first time just a week earlier, broke his own league by vaulting 15-6. With his victory already assured and with everyone in the gym clapping in unison, Rusak then cleared 15-9.

Rusak also won the high jump (5-0) and was fifth in the 400 (53.80).

“I just try to have fun and focus on doing my best. I think as a team we came out really strong,” said Rusak.

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Scarborough also got big performances from senior Colin Tardiff, who won the 800 (2:01.36) and mile (4:32.81) with ease, and Connor Doherty, who won the 2-mile (10:09.14) and was third in the mile (4:36.97). Griffin Madden, another senior, won the 55 hurdles (7.84), took second in the high jump (5-10) and placed fifth in the 55 (6.95).

“It’s so great when everyone pulls together,” Madden said. “You want to win for yourself, but you also want to win for the team, to keep the streak going. Hopefully the streak will keep going long after I’m gone.”

Deirdre Fleming can be reached at 791-6452 or:

dfleming@pressherald.com

Twitter: FlemingPph


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