MAINE STATE MEET

Ruth White Cruises To Fast Time To Lead Orono

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

Saturday brought a welcomed return for high school runners in Maine. After the 2020 state meet was cancelled due to the pandemic, this fall has seen a return of some normalcy that culminated at Belfast with the return of the state championships. 

Standout sophomore Ruth White of Orono High covered the 5,000-meter course at Troy Howard Middle School in the fastest time of the day, running 17:32.0. She also helped guide her team to retain its Class C state title with four runners in the top 13. White broke the course record earlier this fall with 17:28.5. Teammate and older sister Nora White was third for Orono in 18:41.4. 

The Orono boys made it a program sweep, scoring 69 points to win the team title. Individually, junior Brosnan Comeau of Monmouth Academy clocked 16:43.8 to win. 

Led by Delaney Hesler, the Bonny Eagle girls team defended their Class A state title from 2019 scoring 51 points. Hesler, a senior, covered the 5,000-meter course at Troy Howard Middle School in a time of 18:28.3. The team placed four runners in the top 15. 

The boys Class A race saw all the laurels go to Hampden Academy as senior Abbott Valentine won in 15:34.5, edging out fellow senior Daniel McCarthy of Bangor (15:35.8). Hampden Academy scored 69 points to claim the team championship. 

Cape sophomore Hadley Mahoney (18:46.9) dominated the girls Class B race, winning by more than 30 seconds. The Mount Desert Island girls put three in the top 10 to score 46 points and win the team title. 

Despite multiple slips on the course, Medomak Valley senior Connor Daigle managed to still win the individual Class B title in 16:35.8.The Freeport boys won the team trophy with 86 points.

Next up for the runners will be the New England Championships on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Vermont's Thetford Academy.

Team Champions

Class A: Hampden Academy boys 69 points; Bonny Eagle girls 51 points - RESULTS

Class B: Freeport boys 86 points; Mount Desert Island girls 46 points - RESULTS 

Class C: Orono boys 69 points; Orono girls 38 points - RESULTS