Adelaide Cooke’s rare performance at the state meet in June led Falmouth to its first Class A girls’ championship in outdoor track and field.

But her throws coach, June Tait, didn’t start referring to Cooke as “clutch” until her performance the following week at the New England Championships. Cooke went from eighth place to second in the discus on her final throw (117 feet, 4 inches) – while competing in a downpour.

“There was a puddle in the discus circle. All the throwers were slipping and falling and fouling out,” Tait said. “Adelaide had to wear her running shoes, which is unheard of at that elite level. But she’s a champion. She went from eighth to second in dismal conditions.”

Cooke, a junior, recorded personal bests in winning the shot put (39-111/2) and discus (131-0) at the state meet. She also finished second in the javelin (110-10) and fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (16.03 seconds). Because of those performances, she’s the Maine Sunday Telegram Athlete of the Year in girls’ outdoor track and field.

Cooke pulled off a come-from-behind victory in the shot put at the state meet. She was in second place heading into her final throw.

In the discus, Cooke improved from 124-11/2 to 131-0. She said mastering a firmer grip on the disc with the help of chalk proved the key. But Tait said the well-timed improvement was because of Cooke’s constant drive.

“She is such an amazing athlete,” Tait said. “And she works hard at all three throws. I’ve been working with her since middle school. She is a fierce competitor, but now she’s learned to channel that competitiveness.”

Cooke, who also plays soccer and basketball at Falmouth, wants to compete in the pentathlon (indoors) and heptathlon (outdoors) at the NCAA Division I level. She continues to play other sports, she said because they help with her overall athletic skills and strength.

In track and field, Cooke’s training regime is rigorous. She works on sprints and hurdles in the morning before school, and jumps and throws after school. Then she does strength work on the weekends.

“Dad and I wrote a list of goals at the start of the season,” Cooke said. “Some were a reach, but even some of (those) I achieved, like the team winning states. But I said, ‘We can do this.’ It’s one of the coolest things.”

Telegram All-State team

Adelaide Cooke, Falmouth junior: Won the shot put (39-111/2) and discus (131-0), and was second in the javelin (110-10) and fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (16.03) at the Class A meet. Took second in the discus (117-4) at the New England championships.

Samantha Curran, Thornton Academy junior: Was second in the shot put (39-71/2) and fourth in the discus (106-7) at the Class A meet. Also earned All-New England honors, taking sixth in the shot put (37-1).

Emma Egan, Yarmouth senior: Won the high jump (5-4) and long jump (15-9) at the Class B state meet. Also earned All-New England honors, finishing fourth in the high jump (5-3).

Adela Kalilwa, Lewiston senior: Set a Class A record of 18-33/4 in the long jump and also won the triple jump (36-53/4). Was fifth in the triple jump (37-11/2) at the New Englands.

Tahlia Mullen, Lincoln Academy sophomore: Won the 200 (26.11) and 400 (58.94) at the Class B state meet, winning the 400 by a half-second.

Britanee Nouchanthavong, Edward Little junior: Won the javelin by 19 feet at the Class A state meet with a throw of 129-0. Finished fourth at the New England championships (125-8).

Allison Pickering, Orono senior: Won the pole vault at the Class C state meet (10-0) and finished fifth at the New England championships (10-3) to earn All-New England status.

Lauren Stoops, Orono senior: Won the 100 dash (12.72) and 300 hurdles (45.71) at the Class C state meet, and ran on the winning 1,600 relay that broke the Class C record (4:05.00).

Tia Tardy, Orono junior: Won the 800 with a Class C record time (2:13.03) and was on the 1,600 relay team that set a Class C record (4:05.00). Ranked No. 1 in the state in the 800 (2:12.19), 1,600 (5:02.45) and 3,200 (11:04.87).

Emily Turner, Cheverus junior: Won the 100 (12.70), 200 (25.92) and 400 (56.57) at the Class A state meet, taking the 400 in a state-record time. Earned All-New England honors by finishing fifth in the 400 (56.57).

Coach of the Year
Danny Paul, Falmouth: Led the Yachtsmen to their first outdoor state title in 25 years and their first in Class A, just three years after they moved up to compete against the bigger schools.

Related Stories