WATERBORO — The Massabesic girls indoor track and field team has recently become a force in Class A, and finished 11th at the state meet in February — the Mustangs’ highest finish in school history.

The Mustangs endured a rebuild in recent years, and had not been a contender until the past two seasons. Much of the program’s growth has stemmed from the emergence of Moriah Biener.

Biener, a senior captain, has been one of the most consistent performers in the state over the past two years, both in indoor and outdoor track. She won the state title in the high jump in the 2016 spring, and most recently took home third in the high jump and third in the triple jump at the state meet. She also placed second in the high jump in the 2016 winter.

“Moriah has in many ways been the face of Massabesic track for a while now. Obviously she’s a gifted athlete, but she is a leader on the team, and completely committed to everyone on it,” said Massabesic coach Dillon Bates. “She served as one of our captains this year, and completely embodied the role. She cares about her teammates, roots for them, and does everything she can to support the team, both by scoring points for us and by lifting up those around her.”

Consistency was Biener’s biggest strength, as she racked up points in multiple events in nearly every event she competed in.

Biener’s ability to consistently perform at a high level was important to the Mustangs down the stretch, according to Bates.

“It’s a remarkable gift as a coach to have an athlete who can go out and score points in every single event she competes in, in every single meet she competes in — she did just that,” said Bates. “Every time that Moriah set foot on the track or the infield, she scored in every event she competed in. We will miss those guaranteed points, but not quite as much as we’ll miss her.”

Although Biener will be moving on from high school after the spring season, Bates and the Mustangs will take what they have learn from their leader, and hope to continue to build the Massabesic program into a powerhouse for the future.

“Moriah and her fellow seniors have left a proud legacy for MHS indoor track. The team went through a transformational year this year thanks to their leadership. We have great numbers of athletes participating now, and a deep bench of upcoming talent,” said Bates. “Her impact as an athlete, a motivator, and a teammate cannot be replaced, and we’re thankful that so many of the younger girls got a chance to learn from her this year, so that we can all emulate her next season.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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