By Michael Hoffer
The Scarborough High School indoor track program added to its legacy Monday at the Class A state meet at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham.
Not only did the girls roll to their fifth successive championship, but they had company, as the boys won it all for the first time since moving into Class A.
The girls, one week after decimating the conference field at the Southern Maine Activities Association meet, tallied 77 points, which was more than enough to beat Edward Little (56.50) and Brunswick (54). South Portland did not score.
The Scarborough boys had 56 points, which beat Brunswick by eight and Bonny Eagle by 11. South Portland finished with 12.33 points and placed 16th.
At the Class B state meet at Bates College in Lewiston, the Cape Elizabeth girls had their best finish in eight years, placing third with 61.5 points. Waterville had 67 points to edge York by two for first place.
In the boys’ meet, won by Greely with 92 points, the Capers placed 20th with 5 points.
SUBHEAD-Scarborough reigns supreme
The Scarborough boys were second in two of the past three state meets, but the Red Storm hadn’t won a state championship since taking the Class B crown in 2001.
That drought came to an end Monday.
Scarborough won two events and displayed its depth to beat the field.
Senior Brad Nakanishi was first in the pole vault (13 feet, 6 inches). Classmate Sam Chick won the 800 (2 minutes, 4.57 seconds).
The Red Storm’s 3,200 relay team (sophomore Tom Hague, senior James Wright, freshman Nick Morris and Chick) was runner-up to Cheverus’ record-setting squad in 8:26.97.
Junior Nate Hathaway had a second-place showing in the mile (4:27.59) and was seventh in the two-mile (10:22.73). Senior Alex Dulac placed third in the high jump (6-0). Chick was fourth in the triple jump (41-6). Senior Ian Ramsdell was fifth in the triple jump (41 feet, 3.5 inches). Wright finished fifth in the 800 (2:08.08). Senior Brian Woodbury was fifth in the shot put (48 feet, 5.5 inches).
For South Portland, senior Tony Haeuser finished third in the 55 hurdles (8.0). Senior David Hardison was fourth in the 55 hurdles (8.08) and finished in a three-way tie for seventh in the high jump (5-6). Senior Ryan Skillings had a sixth-place showing in the shot put (45-11).
The Scarborough girls had three individual winners and two first-place relay teams.
Senior Whitney Chamberlain took the 800 (2:19.33). Classmate Catie Funk was first in the shot put (39-10). Senior Lauren Blaisdell was tops in the long jump (17-2.75).
In the 800 relay, freshman Nicole Kirk, senior Jenna Van Dam, Blaisdell and sophomore Rachelle Green set a new record with a time of 1:48.71.
In the 3,200 relay, freshman Emily Tolman, senior Meghan Summerson, junior Melissa Dellatorre and Chamberlain beat the field in 10:06.36.
Junior Jenny Snyder placed third in the 55 hurdles (8.82) and was fourth in the 55 (7.51). Sophomore Emelia Scheemaker was third in the triple jump (34-8.5), fifth in the 55 hurdles (9.3) and fifth in the long jump (16-5.25). Blaisdell was fifth in the triple jump (33-10.75). Van Dam placed sixth in the 400 (1:01.74).
“It was a team effort, which has become our trademark,” said Scarborough coach Ron Kelly. “I was very pleased with all of our performances. Jenny was impressive in back-to-back events, Whitney put the competition away early, Catie had the best throw ever by a Scarborough shot putter and the 3,200 relay had to battle.”
Scarborough graduates Blasidell, Chamberlain, Funk, Summerson and Van Dam, but will come back and make a run at a sixth-straight title next winter.
“We have a good nucleus returning,” Kelly said. “We’ll be tough.”
SUBHEAD-Four firsts
At the Class B girls’ meet, Cape Elizabeth’s stars made the most of their opportunities.
Senior Marita Stressenger was tops in the mile (5:24.35). Sophomore Rachel Nichols finished first in the 800 (2:25.04). Senior Emma Hockmuth won the pole vault (9-6).
The Capers also won the 3,200 relay. Junior Hannah Doss, sophomore Kelsey Barton, Stressenger and Nichols had a time of 10:12.33.
Nichols was second in the mile (5:27.86). Barton placed third in the two-mile (12:08.78). Stressenger finished fourth in the two-mile (12:14.90). Hockmuth tied for fourth in the high jump (4-10).
“It was a very exciting meet as we were slated to win by the narrowest of margins,” said Cape Elizabeth coach Doug Worthley. “This with only six girls competing. Besides Emma’s win in the pole vault and fourth in the high jump, the rest of the points were garnered by the distance crew. Waterville and York were both too deep despite the great efforts on the part of our girls. I’m very proud of our competitors and the job they’ve done all season long.”
The Capers boys’ points came from senior Matt Rand (fifth in the two-mile, 10:07.79) and junior Jon Bass (sixth in the pole vault (11-0).
“I was a little disappointed on the boys’ side,” said Worthley. “We only had three qualifiers.”

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net
Scarborough’s Brad Nakanishi clears the bar at 13 feet, 6 inches to win the pole vault at Monday’s Class A state indoor track and field meet. Nakanishi’s victory helped the Red Storm win the championship for the first time since moving up in class. (Brandon McKenney photo).
Cape Elizabeth distance standouts Marita Stressenger (front) and Rachel Nichols finished first and second respectively in the mile at the Class B state meet. (John Jensenius photo).