Boys’ track and field

Teams to watch

Led by the resurgent Connor Harris, who was injured for much of the 2012 outdoor season, the Edward Little boys should be a heavy favorite in the KVAC and will challenge for Class A state honors, as well. EL won the conference championship for the ninth consecutive year, but for the first time, in an intriguing twist, had to share it with Lewiston. Both rivals are strong in the distance events and could surprise in the sprints, as well.

Gray-New Gloucester finished in the top five in Class B in 2012, and the Patriots could take a ride on distance specialist Will Shafer’s shoulders to those lofty heights again. G-NG also should claim conference and state points in the sprints, jumps and racewalk.

Lisbon was in seventh heaven a year ago, running its streak of boys’ MVC titles to that number. Will the Greyhounds be great for eight? The depth on both sides seems to indicate yes, with even an outside shot at claiming the Class C state title that eluded the team by fewer than six points a year ago. Hall-Dale is likely the prime challenger. While they may not have the overall horses to pull the monumental upset in conference competition, Telstar and Monmouth could find their way into the top three on the strength of their distance depth.

Athletes to watch

Class A: Edward Little — Connor Harris (jumps), Luc Bourget (distances, racewalk), Roger Charest (sprints), Aswan Duncan (hurdles), Brandon Binette (pole vault), Adam Robinson (racewalk); Lewiston — Hassan Mohamed (sprints), Mohamed Awil (distances), Mohamed Barre (distances); Mt. Blue — Justin Tracy (distances), Colin Richards (throws), Zach Veayo (racewalk).

Class B: Gray-New Gloucester — Will Shafer (distances), Josh Greenleaf (sprints), Ian Marshall (racewalk), Elijah Locke (jumps); Poland — Tony Whalen (throws), Everett Bertrand (throws), Brandon Drottar (sprints); Leavitt — Brandon Morissette (sprints), Billy Clarke (relays), Ben Ramser (relays); Spruce Mountain — Alwayne Uter (sprints, throws), Tyson Newman (sprints), Devon Autrey (sprints); Mountain Valley — Brett Beauchesne (jumps).

Class C: Lisbon — Ben Kates (distances, racewalk), Tyler Bard (racewalk), Kyle Sheehan (hurdles), Quincy Thompson (sprints, jumps), Aaron Halls (sprints, jumps); Telstar — Josef Holt-Andrews (distances); Monmouth — Ben Bailey (distances), Dirigo — Nick Young (sprints); St. Dom’s — Eric Ulin (sprints, relays), Madison Jalbert (sprints, relays); Winthrop — Zach Nadeau (jumps), Marc Hachey (distances).

Girls’ track and field

Teams to watch

Edward Little might not be the runaway favorite that it was last year in the KVAC, but don’t shed any tears for the Red Eddies. Lexi Clavet’s strength in the jumps and pole vault and a host of returning hurdlers and sprinters will put EL right back in the mix.

Poland could be poised for big things in Class B and the WMC. Emma Turton is a state title threat in the 100, 200 and 300 hurdles, while Hope Kohtala won the state high jump as a freshman.

Lisbon is a good bet to win its eighth straight MVC title and be among the top five teams at Class C states. Kayla Angelico could score state points in distances, hurdles and throws.

Athletes to watch

Class A: Edward Little — Lexi Clavet (jumps, pole vault), Avery Chisholm (hurdles sprints), Ayumi Ranucci (sprints, relays), Crystal LaBonte (sprints), Haley Roderick (hurdles, throws), Eraleena Hairston (throws); Lewiston — Faith Shaw (distances), Mana Abdi (distances), Audrey Jumper (jumps), Natalia Atkins (throws), Taylor Roy (throws); Oxford Hills — Gema Wheatley (racewalk), Moriah Lee (distances).

Class B: Poland — Emma Turton (sprints, hurdles), Kristina Smith (distances. jumps), Ashley Marchesseault (racewalk), Hope Kohtala (jumps, sprints), Sophie Spiller (sprints, jumps); Leavitt — Maddie Wiegman (distances), Jackie Gauthier (sprints, pole vault), Bri DeGone (sprints, throws); Gray-New Gloucester — Audrey Garcia (distances), Kierstin Stritch (throws); Spruce Mountain — Brooke Steele (racewalk), Rachel Calden (sprints), Erin Gats (sprints); Mountain Valley — Kaitlyn Virgin (jumps).

Class C: Lisbon — Kayla Angelico (distances, hurdles, throws), Olivia Bulgin (distances, racewalk), Kaitlyn Doustou (sprints, jumps), Gabby Ouellette (sprints, jumps), Allie Bubar (throws), Justice Fraser-Gagnon (throws); Dirigo — Jessica Conant (distances), Kayla Gaudin (sprints, throws), Silvia Lutick (sprints); Monmouth — Melissa Brassard (hurdles, sprints), Tiffany Pease (hurdles); Winthrop — Mary-Claire Blanchard (hurdles), Rachel Ingram (jumps); St. Dom’s — Marley Byrne (sprints, jumps), Kayla McLellan (sprints), Kelley McLellan (sprints); Buckfield — Naudia Wesley (sprints, jumps).