The combined Boothbay Region High School and Wiscasset High School cross-country team started its season at the Panther 2 Miler Aug. 28. Both men and women’s teams took fifth place out of six overall teams during the preseason meet at Medomak Valley High School against bigger schools in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference (KVAC).

Despite the placement, coach Nick Scott was optimistic.  

“The meet went well,” he said. “One of the bright spots of our early season schedule is that we get to race with KVAC schools that are much larger and oftentimes much deeper. Being able to run against strong talent early helps build success, even if team scores don't reflect that at these larger events.” 

The Boothbay Region men’s team had 139 points and an average time of 14:38 minutes, and the women had 113 points with a 15:40-minute average. Brunswick men took first place with 35 points and an average time of 11:18 minutes, and Camden Hills women won with 34 points and an average of 13:19 minutes.  

Scott highlighted performances by Ross Gaffney and Maddie Andreasen, who he said both took minutes off their finishing times a year ago at the same event. “A testament to their growth from season to season,” he said.  

Overall, 88 men and 73 women competed. Lincoln Academy, Brunswick High School, Camden Hills Regional High School, Leavitt Area High School, and Oceanside High School took part.  

Laura Chapman led the Boothbay region women with 15th place, finishing in 14:28.76. The other results were as follows: Julia Truesdell, 24th, 15:32.33; Maddie Orchard, 29th, 15:46.90; Emily Gilliam, 31st; 16:13.65; Makayla Hodson, 32nd, 16:20.79; Sophia Mansfield, 49th, 17:07.71; Bella Orr, 53rd, 18:11.26; Andreasen, 54th, 18:14.19; and Kate Campbell, 56th, 18:17.21. Truesdell, Gilliam, and Hodson, are from Wiscasset High School. The rest competed for BRHS. 

“This should be one of the strongest girls' teams that we've fielded,” Scott said. “We have lots of depth with some solid athletes on the team and lots of experience. It will be exciting to watch their progress as the season progresses.” 

Cleyton Splain led the Boothbay region men's racers taking 24th place in 12:36.67. Other results were as follows: Austin Trask, 41st, 13:24.13; Aj Crocker, 47th, 13:35.97; Gaffney, 68th, 15:51.77; Alton King, 77th, 17.45.83; Neal Baldwin, 86th, 19:54.48; and Chase Mansfield, 88th; 20.25.14. Only Trask and King are from Wiscasset High School.

Scott said the men’s team has a thinner roster than the women’s, which may be a challenge for the season.  

“The boys are in the opposite situation, as it is one of the smallest teams we've fielded,” he said. “We'll have to be really careful in our approach to ensure an injury-free season as every athlete will need to be healthy and ready to run.” 

The team’s next meet, its first full one, was set for Sept. 1 at Brunswick High School.