Both Harwood boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams traveled to Belfast, Maine, for the Maine Festival of Champions. Seventy-seven teams from four states and two Canadian provinces participated. Belfast hosted the 2014 Maine State Championships. Almost every team from the state of Maine was represented.
Harwood girls finished an impressive fourth place, just two places behind Orono, the No. 1 team from the state of Maine, and only three places behind nationally ranked LaSalle Academy – a private school from Providence, Rhode Island. “Our girls ran extremely well and all had PRs (personal records),” said Highlander coach John Kerrigan. Sophomore Erin Magill (11th place) broke the record set in 1998 by the legendary Caitlin Compton. Compton (now Compton-Gregg) is Harwood’s only Olympian. Erin’s time of 19:09.6 just squeaked past the time of 19:10 set in 1998 by Compton-Gregg at the Burlington Invitational. Compton-Gregg represented the U.S. at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics in the sport of Nordic skiing.
Junior Anneka Williams (13th place) was not far behind her teammate finishing in a time of 19:16. “This places her third on the all-time list with only Caitlin between her and Erin,” said Kerrigan. Phoebe Sweet became only the eighth girl ever at Harwood to break 20:00 minutes in a 5K. The sophomore, who claims Nordic skiing as her best sport, finished a very impressive 30th place in a time of 19:58 in the 600-plus runner field. Jordy Kulis also finished in a PR time of 20:17 placing her 11th on the all-time best list. Izzy Jamieson and Lily Clark helped the Highlander team effort placing 65th and 66th, respectively.
The impressive showing by Harwood varsity girls was preceded by a stellar performance by the Harwood JV girls. Katie Ferguson won the girls’ JV race, beating 400 competitors. She was followed by Aenea Mead (third) and Nicole Cutler (fourth)
Harwood boys’ JV was equally impressive – placing four runners in the top five: Tristan Touchette (first), Cam Alberghini (second), Riley Powell (third) and Chris Cahalan (fifth).
Harwood’s No. 1 runner, Noah Eckstein, placed sixth in the elite field of over 900 runners. Eckstein’s time of 16:21.2 places him fifth on the all-time best list for Harwood XC runners. Only Sam Nishi, Eric Morse, Bruce Hyde and Travis Rivers are in front. “That’s impressive company,” said Kerrigan. It was only Eckstein’s fourth cross-country running race ever. Harwood sophomore Daniel Bevacqui backed up Eckstein’s effort. Bevacqui’s time was 17:13. That places him among the top 20 XC runners ever at Harwood. Bevacqui was awarded with a plaque and recognized as the outstanding sophomore in the meet. Colin Fennelly (62), Anthony Palmerio (69) and Kyle Dash (84) helped the Highlander boys to a fifth place showing in the 64-team field. The meet was won by Scarborough High School of Maine. Harwood finished only two points behind Phillips Exeter Academy of New Hampshire. Phillips Exeter recently placed high in a college race held in Boston.
This was the best combined finish by a Harwood cross-country team at the Maine Festival of Champions. Harwood will be hosting the 28th annual co-ed XC Invitational on October 17. Harwood’s course is great for spectating. “Over 41 teams have entered so far and we are hoping for a few more by the entry deadline. This most likely will be the largest co-ed invitational ever. This is our one and only home meet of the season. We are hoping many of our friends in the community come out to support us,” said Kerrigan.
