The Brunswick girls are undefeated and positioned to make a run at their first state title.

After finishing third last year, Coach Dave Delois has a wait-and-see approach, but his girls have leading qualifying times in several events.

Brunswick’s Katie McMahon leads the 2-mile in state qualifying at 11 minutes, 50.55 seconds and Alexis Dickinson moved into the top-ranked spot in the 55-meter dash (7.39). Dickinson is also fourth in the 200 meters (27.05).

“And Katie is a little off her best,” Delois said.

In the past six years Brunswick has been the runner-up three times, and its team is as good as any this year, Delois said. But Scarborough has won six years in a row, making the title a tough bet.

Still Brunswick is undefeated in four regular-season meets after losing just one runner from last year’s team, however, its also gained a key runner.

Advertisement

Teresa Murphy ran last year, but did not compete in the state meet. She will this year and is ranked third in the mile (5:25.08) and is qualified in the 800 meters (2:30.29).

BRUNSWICK IS known for its distance runners, but sprinter Alex Nichols on the boys’ team is leading Class A in the 400 meters with the 51.50-second split he ran on Jan. 13.

And he’s got a lofty barrier in his sights: he wants to go under 50 seconds indoors.

“He beat McKenzie Gary in that meet. The funny part was, Alex is always cautious, but he was looking back for McKenzie. I was saying, ‘What are you doing?”‘ Delois said.

“He started as a freshman. He was smaller and not quite there. Now he loves the distance. Usually McKenzie is faster after 300 meters, but Alex put it down into another gear.”

FALMOUTH’S CLASS B state champion hurdler Reid Pryzant is coming back from a broken ankle, but hitting his stride in plenty of time for the state meet.

Advertisement

On Jan. 6 Pryzant ran an 8.18 in the 55-meter hurdles to give him the top-ranked spot in the event. The indoor state hurdle champion is not far from the 7.96 he ran last year, and a comfortable distance from the second- and third- ranked hurdle pair from York: Thomas Reid (8.39) and Tyler Martin (8.40).

“There have been little issues that have gone along with recovery, as he tries to get to full strength. He’s not quite 100 percent yet,” said Falmouth Coach Jorma Kurry. “A lot of his timing is still off. His rhythm is not there. But if everything keeps progressing, he will get it.”

SCARBOROUGH VAULTER Alec James’ leading height of 12 feet has led Class A boys since he cleared it on Dec. 17.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com

Twitter: Flemingpph

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.