York senior Matt Charpentier is the state record holder in the shot put and the top seed in the event among the Class B boys. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
The Class A indoor track and field state championships on Monday will feature the perennial favorites – namely the Scarborough boys and Bangor girls – but both Class B meets could see dark horses grab the titles, including the Freeport girls and St. Dominic boys, neither of which has ever won.
The Class A meet will be at the University of Southern Maine’s Costello Field House in Gorham and the Class B meet will be at the Merrill Gym at Bates College in Lewiston. Both meets start at noon.
Edward Little’s Makenna Drouin is only a sophomore, but she already has won three Class A titles, a New England title and set a Maine record in the hurdles. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
CLASS A GIRLS
Bangor has won the past two indoor championships and goes into the meet as the favorite again. The Rams are led by senior sprinter Anna Connors, who is ranked first in the 200 and 400 meters, where Bangor could have four runners finish in the top five. In addition to tremendous depth, Bangor brings the top shot putter and the fastest 800-meter relay team.
“It’s Bangor’s meet to lose. They are the favorite by about 30 points over Scarborough,” said Portland High girls’ coach Frank Myatt.
Scarborough, which last won the indoor state meet in 2018 in a tie with Cheverus, is led by senior Caroline Fallona in the 55, sophomore Emerson Flaker, who is seeded high in the 55, 200 and 400, and freshman Laurel Driscoll in the mile.
Portland sophomore Samantha Moore could be a double winner as the top seed in the 800 and the mile.
“She took over last weekend (in the SMAA) wining four events. She’ll carry that momentum forward,” said Myatt.
Edward Little junior Makenna Drouin could claim two individual titles as the top seed in the 55, the 55 hurdles and the second seed in the 200.
CLASS A BOYS
Scarborough returns as a top contender, although not with as much depth as in the past. The Red Storm have won six straight Class A indoor titles – and 11 of the past 13.
They’re led by Parker Killiard, the top seed in the 200 and third seed in the 55, and Adam Bendetson, who is ranked first in the 2-mile and second in the mile. They also bring Nate Murray, the second seed in the shot put, and John Read, who is ranked second in the 55 hurdles.
“Most teams are in the same situation, they have between three and four athletes that can score points. It’s not like there’s one team that’s really stacked. Several teams could do really well and move up from their seed,” said Scarborough Coach Derek Veilleux.
Falmouth, led by third-ranked Miles Gay in the 400, has a half dozen athletes who can score well – and it brings the top-ranked 800-meter relay team. Bonny Eagle boasts the top seeds in the 55 hurdles, the 400 and the second-seeded 800 relay. And Portland has risen as a formidable force. Led by Nathan Blades, who’s ranked first in the mile and fourth in the 2-mile, the Bulldogs also bring the fastest 3,200-meter relay team.
“Portland has been building for a few years and they have a great junior class,” Veilleux said. “They are certainly a team that could win.”
CLASS B GIRLS
York is trying to win its first indoor title since 2010 after capturing the outdoor championship last spring. But Greely – winners of three of the last five indoor titles – has several athletes poised to score well, and Freeport should be in the hunt.
York should collect significant points from junior distance ace Cary Drake, the top seed in the 800, mile and 2-mile. They also have the second-seeded 3,200-meter relay and middle distance veteran Molly Kenealy, who will triple in the distance events with Drake.
Greely, the defending champion, is led by sprinter Abigail Jacobson and brings the top-seeded 800 relay.
Freeport could be a dark horse – with Avery Baker-Schlendering the top seed in the high jump and one of three on Freeport’s team who could place in the pole vault. Freeport also brings the third-seeded 800 relay.
“I believe there are a few different schools that have a chance to bring home the title. Looking at the possible points, it seems very spread out,” said Freeport Coach Ginger Ivanov. “We have a lot of talent throughout so many events giving us a very good chance at winning the state title.”
CLASS B BOYS
More than any other meet on Monday, this one should be a dog fight with several teams collecting points from a wide range of events.
York, winner of five of the last seven indoor titles, is led by senior thrower and state record holder Matt Charpentier, the top seed in the shot put.
Freeport, which has never won the championship, could make a bid for the title with senior Henry Horne ranked second in the 800 and the mile and junior Reece Perry the top seed in the pole vault.
Greely and Orono should be in the hunt as well, along with St. Dominic, which covers a lot of events across the sprints and distance events.
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