BANGOR — The Houlton/GHCA cross country team continued its historic run Saturday, Oct. 18, capturing the Small School boys title at the 2025 Penobscot Valley Conference championships hosted by John Bapst at Saxl Park.
The day brought the best mix of racing weather the team has seen this season; cooler temperatures, sunshine and next to no wind — ideal for fast times across the board. The PVC meet combines both Large School and Small School divisions into single varsity races, then separates the results after the finish.
The girls team continued to build momentum at just the right time, turning in several personal bests and season lows. Andrea Ross ran her finest race yet, finishing second overall in 20:19.72 — a new career best for the senior. Freshman April Mazur followed with a strong breakout performance, dropping more than a minute from her previous best to place 12th. Dalylah Mincey and Kylah Tuttle crossed nearly together in 22nd and 23rd, for Mincey it would be a new personal record while Tuttle recorded her season best. Sandra Quinlan rounded out the scoring effort for the Lady Shires.
Girls individual results:
2. Andrea Ross 20:19.72
12. April Mazur 24:01.40
22. Dalylah Mincey 26:40.75
23. Kylah Tuttle 26:41.72
33. Sandra Quinlan 42:02.97
Small School girls team results:
1. Orono 30
2. GSA/Blue Hill 42
3. Houlton/GHCA 50
For the boys, it was truly a sight to see. Malachi Witmer notched the first points for the team with his runner-up finish, leading a remarkable showing where the next five Shires came through the chute in rapid succession. The pack separated by less than five seconds. Their tight team running sealed the win with a commanding low score of 20 points, well ahead of Orono and George Stevens Academy/Blue Hill, who tied for second with 65 points (Orono taking the tiebreaker).
Boys individual results:
2. Malachi Witmer 17:16.49
4. Wyatt Quint 17:31.34
5. Nathan Brady 17:31.42
6. James Brady 17:31.47
7. Brayden Drake 17:35.48
8. Logan Witmer 17:36.43
Small School boys team results:
1. Houlton/GHCA 20
2. Orono 65 (6th runner tiebreaker)
3. GSA/Blue Hill 65
4. Bucksport 82
5. Sumner 124
6. Central 160
The strong finishes keep the Shiretowners’ hopes alive for a seventh consecutive state championship appearance, as they now set their sights on the Northern Maine Regional Championships Saturday, Oct. 25 at Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast. The top teams and individuals from that meet will advance to the state championships in Augusta on Nov. 1. Class C will contest their races at 1:40 p.m. for the girls and 2:20 p.m. for the boys, the time schedule is the same for both the regional and state championships.
It was also a day of celebration for Aroostook County cross country, Caribou captured the Large School boys title and produced the individual champion, Peirce Gorneault, while both Caribou’s PJ Gorneault and Houlton’s Chris Rines were voted Coach of the Year for their respective divisions. Presque Isle’s Mandy Draper earned honors as Large School Girls’ Coach of the Year.
Full results can be viewed at:
Boys – https://sub5.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pvc-boys-varsity.txt
Girls – https://sub5.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pvc-girls-varsity.txt
Photo Album – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.842107241690901&type=3
