The Houlton/Greater Houlton Christian Academy cross country teams made the trip to the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Friday evening for an all-Aroostook County showdown hosted by Presque Isle High School. The meet featured Fort Kent, Caribou, Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, and Houlton/GHCA.
Conditions were excellent temperature wise, though the open and winding course made the day’s steady winds both a help and a hindrance depending on direction. The trails, cut through rolling pasture and fields, tested athletes with constant climbs and descents, but the Shires rose to the challenge.
As is often the case at UMPI, the demanding terrain proved tough for runners trying to hit consistent marks. Few managed breakthrough races. The standout on the boys’ side was junior Brayden Drake, who looked back in form from a year ago.
(Courtesy of Chris Rines)
Leading the charge were teammates Malachi Witmer and James Brady, who pushed the pace early. Witmer claimed his second consecutive individual victory in 17:21.30, with Brady just behind in second at 17:35.90. Drake powered into fourth (17:47.20), while freshman Wyatt Quint (6th, 17:56.10) and Nathan Brady (7th, 17:56.70) rounded out the scoring. Sophomore Logan Witmer added a top-10 finish in 10th with 18:33.60.
The boys topped the team competition with a season-low 18 points. Caribou finished second with 44, while host Presque Isle took third at 73.
On the girls’ side, the Shires competed well against larger rosters. Senior Andrea Ross once again showed her veteran leadership, placing runner-up overall with a time of 21:17.03. Freshman April Mazur ran strong to place 12th in 25:27.02. Sophomore Kylah Tuttle (21st, 27:56.32) and junior Dalylah Mincey (22nd, 29:14.42) came in back to back, and freshman Sandra Quinlan rounded out scoring in 30th (43:23.00).
In the team standings, Presque Isle narrowly edged Caribou 33-34 for the win, with Houlton finishing third with 68.
Girls Results (Houlton/GHCA):
2. Andrea Ross 21:17.03
12. April Mazur 25:27.02
21. Kylah Tuttle 27:56.32
22. Dalylah Mincey 29:14.42
30. Sandra Quinlan 43:23.00
Boys Results (Houlton/GHCA):
1. Malachi Witmer 17:21.30
2. James Brady 17:35.90
4. Brayden Drake 17:47.20
6. Wyatt Quint — 17:56.10
7. Nathan Brady — 17:56.70
10. Logan Witmer — 18:33.60
Team Results
Boys: 1. Houlton/GHCA 18, 2. Caribou 44, 3. Presque Isle 73
Girls: 1. Presque Isle 33, 2. Caribou 34, 3. Houlton/GHCA 68
Full Results
https://me.milesplit.com/meets/704435-presque-isle-high-school-xc-invitational-2025/results
Photo Album
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.817576250810667&type=3
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, the GHCA Middle School program will host the Aroostook League’s penultimate meet at the Bird Farm Trails in Houlton at 4 p.m. The Shires invite the community to come out and support their middle school athletes, who have enjoyed a successful season so far.
The varsity squads will head south on Friday, Sept. 26, to compete at the Cony Homecoming week meet in Augusta. Varsity girls race first at 4 p.m., followed by the boys.
