HOULTON, Maine — The storybook season continues for the Houlton-Greater Houlton Christian Academy girls cross country team.
The combined squad bested a field of four other schools to bring home the Class C North Regional Championship Saturday in Belfast. It is believed to be the first championship in the program’s history.
The Shires compiled 37 team points, with freshman Teanne Ewings placing third overall, to collect the championship trophy. Perennial powerhouse Orono placed second in the event with 40 points, followed by George Stevens Academy, 85; Bucksport, 98; and Bangor Christian, 99.
The top three squads advance to the state championship, slated for 11 a.m. Saturday in Belfast.
“We were able to secure the team win thanks to our incredible depth across our seven varsity runners,” coach Chris Rines said. “Of the 72 total runners, all seven of our girls finished in the top 20, which included four of our girls in the top 10 and our fifth scorer coming in 12th place overall, as well as our first displacing runner in 13th.”
Orono’s Ruth White was the top overall girls runner, completing the course in 17 minutes 41.10 seconds.
Results for the Shire girls were: 3, Ewings, 19:35.28; 7, Natalie Johnson, 21:32.37; 8, Leanne Ross, 21:36.31; 9, Isabella Ardell, 22:00.65; 12, Elena Ardell, 22:27.86; 13, Calli Sylvia, 22:38.21; and 19, McKenna Phillips, 23:22.21.
“Every single girl ran their season-best 5K time during the race to help bring home the title,” Rines said. “For several of them, it was the race of their career.”
In the boys competition, senior captain Daniel Ross qualified for states with his third overall finish. Houlton-GHCA did not have enough runners to score as a team.
Ross’ time of 17:27.38 was just a fraction slower than the top two runners — Orono’s Kyle McClellan (16:51.42) and Bucksport’s William Hileman (17:25.90).
“The 1.48-second spread between William Hileman and Daniel was the closest he has been able to finish to him,” Rines said. “Dan’s top 30 finish means he will advance as an individual to next week’s state championship.”
Freshman runner Phillip Espenscheid finished 31st overall (20:02.11), just one place out of individual qualifying. Hodgdon’s JJ Bourgoin finished 49th (22:09.05), while Shire Kristian Kellherals was 81st (28:43.27) and Jack Hodgkins was 84th (31:53.95).
The top five squads advance to states. Those squads are: Orono, 34; George Stevens Academy, 69; Bucksport, 74; Sumner 135; and Maine School of Science and Mathematics, 147.
BELFAST, Maine — October 25, 2021 –Teanne Ewings, center, of Houlton-Greater Houlton Christian Academy placed third overall in the girls competition. (Photo courtesy of Teagan Ewings)
BELFAST, Maine — October 25, 2021 — Leanne Ross of Houlton-GHCA races along the course Saturday in the Class C North Championships. (Photo courtesy of Teagan Ewings)
BELFAST, Maine — October 25, 2021 — Daniel Ross of Houtlon-GHCA makes his way for the finish line at Saturday’s Class C North championship in Belfast. (Photo courtesy of Teagan Ewings)
