BAR HARBOR — The Greely boys’ and girls’ track and field teams battled for positioning throughout the Class B championships Saturday afternoon. And both squads clinched state titles in dramatic fashion in the 1,600-meter relay – the final event of the day.
The Greely boys finished with 104 points to beat 2023 champion Leavitt (98), with Gray-New Gloucester (62) taking third place. It’s Greely’s first boys’ outdoor title since 2003.
The Greely girls finished with 93 points, topping two-time defending champion York (90), followed by Freeport (63). The Rangers earned their third title in the last eight years, and first since 2018.
“It feels great (to sweep)’ it really came down to the wire,” said Greely Coach David Dowling. “We had some bumps along the way. York is always tough to beat, they really brought the best out of the kids. We overcame some injuries and adversity and still managed to hold on at the end.”
Greely trailed York by two points before winning the 1,600 relay (4:13.69). Samantha Santerre, Lilian Pierce, Danica Pleau and Jacqueline Franklin comprised the relay team.
Franklin ran the final leg and held the lead during the final lap, finding an extra gear. Freeport (4:15.45) finished second and York (4:16.04) third in the relay.
“It feels really good,” said Franklin, a junior who also won the 400 (1:01.45). “I knew before (the race) that we needed to get first to win states. I figured I’d just take (the lead) right away. I just had to go for it.”
The Greely boys trailed Leavitt by a point entering the final event. While the Rangers (3:31.14) finished second to John Bapst (3:31.12), it was enough to surpass the Hornets, who placed 14th (3:53.57).
“It’s so great, a lot of hard work in the rain this season (paid off), said Greely junior Owen Partridge, who anchored the relay and also won the 400 (49.91) earlier in the day. “Coach really pushed us this year. And we had such a good team coming back.”
The Greely girls were led by freshman Victoria Zandan, who won the 300 hurdles (48.70) and long jump (16-11 1/4). The Rangers also won the 400 relay (52.07).
“It’s really exciting, it was hard (to win),” she said. “I felt like the 300 hurdles was more of an accomplishment for me. I was just trying to start out fast. The rest of the race was tough, but I pushed through it.”
Cary Drake, a senior, paced York, winning the 3,200 (11:21.60) and 1,600 (5:05.17). She finished second to teammate Zoe Carroll (2:16.25) in the 800.
“It’s kind of what I do every year at states, just try to get as many points as possible,” Drake said. “Just trying to get a state title, if possible.”
The Greely boys continued their dominant school year; the Rangers also won the Class B indoor championship in February.
“A few years ago, the boys’ indoor team came in last, with one point,” said Greely’s Charles Anania, who ran on the 1,600 relay team. “To win two state champs in indoor and outdoor is just amazing.”
Greely also won the 3,200 relay (8:12.83), and junior Samuel Anania won the pole vault with a height of 12-6.
The Leavitt boys were led by a gutsy performance from junior Stephen Pierre, who fought through stomach issues after his victory in the 300 hurdles (40.87) to finish second in the high jump (6-4). He also won the 100 hurdles (15.09) and long jump (21-9 1/4).
“I’m happy, I’m excited (about the day),” Pierre said. “I was really nervous for high jump, especially after doing the 300 (hurdles); I did not feel OK at all. But I pushed through. It’s really close between us and Greely, I knew I had to try my best, get a couple points in for us.”
Carter Libby won the 800 (1:57.23) and 1,600 (4:16.87) for Gray-New Gloucester.
Fryeburg Academy senior Logan Walton held off MDI’s Miles Burr in the sprints, winning both the 100 (11.09) and 200 (22.24).
“I knew coming in there were three guys (in the events) who were real fast; it was just good to come out on top,” Walton said. “I just had to keep pushing and finish strong, start fast, really, and that’s it.”
Cony’s Elise Cunningham (125-0) won the girls’ javelin. Madison Yakimchick of Waterville finished second to Fryeburg Academy’s Avery Bariteau (12.93) in the 100 with a time of 13.08 seconds. Yakimchick was also second in the long jump (16-4). Bariteau won the 200 (27.18).
Lawrence senior Zebadiah Hannah won the discus with a throw of 157-10, topping Gray-New Gloucester’s Trevor Amos (148-3).
Related Stories
 "BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions")
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you’ve submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.