The Seahawks boys cross country team took fifth at the Class C State Championship on Oct. 27. Despite the cold, wet weather which typically slows a runner down, three Seahawks beat their lifetime personal records, one topped his season’s personal record and the rest ran close to their best performances of the season.

Will Perkins led the flock in fifth place with a time of 17:31, an all-time personal record. This run put Perkins on the All Seahawk team, a list of the fastest runners in BRHS history, and was the third fastest run for a junior in BRHS history behind Kyle Ames’ 2016 run of 17:29 and Chase Brown’s 2010 run of 16:22.

“This is a really big deal, as (Will) is the first Boothbay athlete to finish in the top 10 at states since 2014 and it is the second highest finish by a Seahawk runner,” Coach Nick Scott said.

Fox Elder was the second Seahawk to cross the finish line placing 34th in 18:58, just seven seconds behind a lifetime personal best. Graham Harris took 36th in 19:02 and Blake Erhard took 39th in 19:08, also a seasonal best by half a minute. Mason Erhard took 45th in 19:16, a lifetime personal best by six seconds, and Nathan Chatterton placed 53rd in 19:35, a lifetime best of nearly a full minute. Ryan Russell placed 87th in 20:50, but joined the Seahawks at States after a week away from the trails nursing an ankle injury. Faith and Glory Blethen both raced at States for the girls team placing 13th and 18th, respectively, in 21:38 and 21:52.

Said Scott, “It is hard to believe that our 11 weeks together went by so quickly. I'm really proud of everything that we were able to accomplish this season, but I am particularly impressed with our teams being awarded the sportsmanship award for the Southern Maine Class C Championship. While we always strive to be as fast as possible, being acknowledged for the respect we show towards others and the attitudes we display is a far greater feat to accomplish.”