LIMESTONE, Maine — With the pre-race favorite, Caribou’s Abigail Wimmer, sidelined due to an ankle injury, MSSM’s Dolcie Tanguay took advantage of the opportunity to win a big race on her home course.
Tanguay finished the five-kilometer race in 21 minutes and 7.9 seconds, which was 15.3 seconds ahead of runner-up Madison Jandreau of Presque Isle (21:23.2), to take the top spot at the Aroostook League Cross Country Championships Tuesday afternoon.
“I feel relieved,” Tanguay said. “I’ve been battling with the Caribou girls [and Jandreau] all season and since it is my home course I felt pretty good.
“I feel comfortable on it because I’ve run it all year and there are no surprises,” she added. “I just try to push the uphills and use the downhills as much as I can for rest.”
The boys’ title went to Dylan Marrero of Caribou, who put distance between himself and teammate Kyle Boucher over the last half of the race and crossed the finish line in 17:34.7. Boucher was 22.5 seconds back in 17:57.2.
“It’s considerably flat … there are hills here and there but it’s made up with downhills,” Marrero said of the course. “It’s a good course to really run a good time on.”
Marrero, who has been the top runner in the North region all season long, is ready for the championship races coming up the next three weekends.
“I’m excited and I’m ready to win some more races and pack up with the top guys in the state,” he added.
The Caribou girls and boys came away with team titles and did so without much of a challenge. The girls, even without the services of Wimmer, scored 35 points to defeat Presque Isle (69), MSSM (72), Houlton (92), Washburn (131) and Fort Kent (131).
From left, Madison McCarthy of MSSM, Madison Jandreau of Presque Isle, Dolcie Tanguay of MSSM and Ashley Violette get out in front early at the Aroostoook League Championship girls’ race held at Limestone Tuesday. Tanguay was the race winner in 21 minutes and 7.9 seconds. (Kevin Sjoberg)
“The team performed well and did a good job running in a pack close together,” said Caribou coach Thomas Beckum. “Every week the girls have been improving.”
The boys tallied 18 points to outscore Presque Isle (73), Washburn (101), Greater Houlton Christian Academy (103), MSSM (104), Houlton (152) and Madawaska (162).
“We attempt to run in groups to improve our pack time,” said Caribou coach Roy Alden. “Dylan and Kyle had very good races and some others did too.”
Individuals finishing among the top 10 in both the girls’ and boys’ races received automatic All-Aroostook status. Others who end up placing in the top 20 at their state meet also will be named All-Aroostook runners.
Following Tanguay and Jandreau and making the top 10 for girls were: third, Madison McCarthy, MSSM, 21:37.4: fourth, Ashley Violette, Caribou, 22:12.5; fifth, Teagan Ewings, GHCA, 22:32.2; sixth, Emmalyne Drake, Houlton, 22:49.7; seventh, Katrina Salch, Caribou, 22:52.3; eighth, Hailey Holmquist, Caribou, 22:53.4; ninth, Kacie Haney, Caribou, 22:54.7; and 10th, Madison Miller, Washburn, 22:58.6.
Leading Fort Fairfield, which did not have enough runners to figure in the team results, was Annika Reynolds, who placed 21st out of 51 runners in 25:01.
Finishing in the third through 10th spots in the boys’ competition were: third, Jordan Duplessie, Caribou, 18:30.9; fourth, Trace Cyr, Presque Isle, 18:48.4; fifth, Ethan Holmquist, Caribou, 18:49.4; sixth, Jay Philbrick, MSSM, 18:57.5; seventh, Aaron Macek, Caribou, 19:09.5; eighth, Owen McQuarrie, Presque Isle, 19:16.3; ninth, Aidan Churchill, Washburn, 19:20.3; and 10th, Malachai Willey, Caribou, 19:22.3.
Cole Winslow paced GHCA with a time of 19:34.9, good for 13th overall out of 67 runners. Houlton’s Daniel Ross was one position back in 19:37.5.
