Whatever you were expecting from Lake Region’s cross country runners at the state championships, they were destined to take it a step further.

Not only did Miles Bartlett run faster than everybody at Leavitt High School Saturday, and freshman phenomenon Tabitha Titzer surprised the Class B girls field with a sixth-place finish, but the boys showed up in coats and ties for the trophy presentations, just 30 minutes after their race.

Such class the NBA can only dream about.

Bartlett, believe it or not, was trying to NOT run his best race in the boys Class B event Saturday. He was saving that for the New England Regional meet two weeks later. But he might have had that peak performance chased out of him on Saturday anyway by Poland’s Nick Williams.

Williams, who has been looking over Bartlett’s shoulder all season, cruised in second, almost six seconds later. Bartlett didn’t have a foothold in the victory until the last 300 meters, finally taking charge just before the path curled back onto the football field for the finish.

“His goal was to win it, and he did,” said Lake Region coach Dan Dors. “He had a tremendous run today.”

Bartlett’s time of 16:33.82 was the fastest in any class Saturday and believed to be the fastest time ever recorded on this course, which is just about a year old.

The 5K path’s most distinguising feature is a steep climb just after the two-mile mark, and that obstacle called for a little bit of strategy.

“I got up the hill in good shape and came down really fast,” said Bartlett. “But with my stride, the mud takes away from what I get. My foot would come back and I would only get half the distance.

“And I felt weak towards the end,” he said. “But I knew Nick was right on me. He’s a strong runner and a great competitor.”

In the shadow of his teammate’s impressive win was Kevin Floster with a 10th-place finish. Not to worry. Floster is likely to steal back some of the limelight from his teammate when indoor track season opens. Floster is more of a shorter distance specialist and has a state championship already in the 800 meters.

Still, he was happy to send more praise to Bartlett Saturday.

“We’re all proud of him,” Floster said. “And hopefully he’ll do well in the next meets too.”

Lake Region also surprised some coaches with a team fifth-place finish, coming in behind champion Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, York and Ellsworth.

Rounding out Lake Region’s competitors Saturday, Steve Bennet was 29th overall, Keegan Eldridge was 50th, Zach Mains was 53rd, Jake Moore finished 72nd and Chris Roy was 88th.

Both Floster and Bartlett were impressed with Titzer’s performance.

“Everybody needs to be watching her,” Floster said. “She has the drive to do it and that’s what matters.”

Dors held back bold predictions for his freshman girl before her race. A top 20 would be good, he said, but the coach was concerned that the pressure of an elite field could overwhelm a ninth grader.

“But she surprised me altogether,” Dors said. “She went out and established herself in fourth place in the first mile. The sky’s the limit with her, as long as she can stay healthy and injury-free.”

Another local freshman also had an impressive day.

Windham’s Kayla Phiney ran to an 18th – place finish in the Class A girls race, averaging 6:58 per mile over the course.

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