WATERBORO — The Thornton Academy boys and girls outdoor track teams had impressive performances at the Class A State Championship on Saturday at Massabesic High School.

Johnny Rosario, Longhao Chen and the girls relay team of Sabria Merrifield, Kieya Dion, Katie-Marie Roy and Mia Taranko took home first place as both sides placed second overall in the team standings. Rosario collected gold for his performances in the 100 and 200 dash, while Chen placed first in the long jump.

“We had some good performances — of course Johnny Rosario was huge in his events, winning two events is very difficult to do in the state championship. The key was Longhao Chen winning the long jump, he came up with the best jump of his life,” said TA boys coach George Mendros.

Rosario, a senior, made his debut with the Trojans this year after transferring to the state from Massachusetts. Mendros was impressed with his performance as well as the effect he had on the team throughout the season.

“I don’t think you can overestimate how much of an impact he was, again he won two events, and when he got the baton in the relay we were in about fifth and he beat everyone but the team that broke the state record, he had an excellent day,” said Mendros.

The Trojans expect to return much of the same cast next year, and Mendros is thankful for the coaches and athletes that have helped make TA track an elite program on both the boys and girls side.

“We’re blessed with good athletes that perform and work hard,” said Mendros. “The coaches are good, (girls coach) Lisa Huntress is an excellent throws coach, our throwers always do well both boys and girls, it’s the same with Coach Carl Smith, our long and triple jump coach. The athletes work hard though, the coaches are good but you need to have the athletes to work with.”

Here are some of the top performers throughout the state:

Class A

Boys

The Trojans also finished second in the 400 relay with a team of Dominic Dadiego, Kyle Holbrook, Jabari Washington and Rosario. TA’s Travis Snyder would later take second in the pole vault competition. Sanford’s Abbott Joy placed second in the javelin.

Biddeford’s Matt Brady later took home second place in the shot put, while TA’s Jason Montano finished fourth. Brady would also claim third place in the discuss.

Sanford’s Mason Scully took home fifth in the 200 dash, while Massabesic’s Xavier Lundrigen finished fifth in the race walk.

Girls

TA’s Merrifield took home second place in the 100 dash, while Massabesic’s Moriah Biener placed second in the high jump. Taranko would also finish second in the long jump, while teammate Sam Curran placed second in the shot put.

Curran would also take third in the discus, while Taranko placed third in the triple jump and the 100 dash. 

Massabesic’s Kylie Johnson took home fourth in the 800 run, while teammate Syeira New finished fifth in the 300 hurdles. TA’s Isabella Capozzi later finished fifth in the shot put.

Class B

Boys

The Wells 400 relay team of Keegan Reidy, Owen Berry, Tyler Dewey and Alec Pinette finished first, while the 3200 relay team of Mitchell Stapleton, Brian McMahon, Griffin Allaire and Wesley Moody finished second.

Wells’ Mitch Libby finished second in the 1600 run and 800 run, while Kennebunk’s Lucas Marquis finished fourth in the 1600 race walk. Wells’ Alec Pinette finished fourth in the 400 dash while Moody placed fourth in the 800 run. 

Kennebunk’s Brennan Schatzabel took home fourth in the shot put.

Wells finished fifth overall in the team standings.

Girls

Kennebunk finished third in the 3200 relay with a team of Ava Haritos, Morgan Sharp, Hannah D’Orso and Miranda Durcan. Kennebunk’s Grace West later took home third 1600 race walk

Wells’ Emily Cottis finished fourth in the 100 hurdles while Kennebunk’s Louise Holway also placed fourth in the 3200 run. Kennebunk’s 1600 relay team of Haritos, D’Orso, Lilly Wolff and Caitlin Wolff  placed fourth. Teammate Brooke Stuart tied for fourth in the high jump. Wells’ Isabella White placed fourth in the triple jump.

Caitlin Wolff placed fifth in the 200 dash while D’Orso later took home fifth in the 800 run.