Houlton area track athletes start new season

5 years ago

Track athletes from Houlton and Greater Houlton Christian Academy competed in their first meet of the season on April 17, at Cameron Stadium in Bangor.

The Shires boys team was able to score 13 points, while the GHCA boys tallied 13.25. On the girls side, Houlton amassed 42 points and the lone Eagle, Teagan Ewings, scored 14 for GHCA.

Teams from Bangor High, Presque Isle High, Hermon High, Ellsworth High, George Stevens Academy, and Bucksport High also participated.

“Fifteen track and field veterans were joined by 11 first time athletes between the two schools,” said coach Chris Rines. “They all did very well in their first track and field meet of the season and we are very excited to see them progress.”

Since there had not been any previous competitors for their schools in two of the events, two athletes set new records. Freshman Makenna Cooley set a record in the triple jump for Houlton which has only had a school sanctioned track team since 2014. Junior Ean Bolstridge set a record in the racewalk for GHCA which has fielded a track team since 2003, but never a racewalker.

GHCA senior Cole Winslow pushed his own long jump record to new lengths and senior Isaac Potter knocked off a 16-year-old record in the boys javelin, previously held by James Zimmerman.

“On the day, we had a handful of PVC and state qualifiers hitting their target standards,” Rines said. “For the PVC championship meet, sophomore Emma Ardell grabbed herself a spot in the 100 meter, 200, and 300 hurdle. Her 300 time was also good enough to notch a state provisional entry.”

Ardell’s younger sister Elena also tallied a PVC time in the 300 hurdle. From the field, Cooley (long jump) and junior Isabelle Cosby (high jump) each hit distances to earn PVC spots.

On the boys side, rookie junior Will Belyea ran himself to a PVC and state provisional time in the 100, and a PVC bid for the 200. The  loan automatic state qualifier on the day was GHCA’s Cole Winslow who’s 110m Hurdle time was 1/100th of a second off of his career personal best.

Athletes hitting career personal bests included: Em Ardell (100, 200), Cosby (high jump), Emmalyne Drake (1,600), Jeannelle Ross (1,600, 800, long jump), Thomas Astle (100), Potter (javelin) and Winslow (long jump).