Medomak Valley High School cross-country hosted Boothbay Region, Oceanside and Richmond high schools for the first meet of the regular season. The meet was rather small with just the four teams, while the wind and lower temperature slowed the fast-paced course significantly.

“We are feeling out the difference between training paces and race pace,” said BRHS Coach Nick Scott. “As we continue to work through varying levels of personal discomfort … performances will continue to get faster and faster.”

Junior Blake Erhard came in first for the boys team with a time of 18:03 while senior Kyle Ames came in a close second in 18:31. Placing fifth in 20:07, freshman Mason Erhard was the first in his class to finish the race.

“A special congrats are in order for … Mason for almost breaking 20 minutes in his first high school 5k,” said Scott. “If the weather had been more agreeable, I have no doubt he would have cracked that first milestone.”

The rest of the boys team placed as follows: 9. Fox Elder 21:13; 10. Will LeBrecque 21:16; 11. Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco 21:55; 12. Ryan Russell 22:00; 13. Patrick Conlin 22:03; 16. Graham Harris 23:04; 17. Quinn Ranta 24:04; 18. Sam Burnham 24:13; 19. Jacob Echols 25:01.

The BRHS and Oceanside boys teams were the only two to put up points for this meet. BRHS beat Oceanside, 17-46. 

Junior Faith Blethen placed first in the girls race with a time of 21:50. Scott said this is the third year in a row Blethen won the first race of the season at Medomak.

Freshmen Haley Abbott and Glory Blethen came in fourth and fifth place, respectively, in 24:03 and 24:04. Sophomore Delly Clarkson came in ninth in 29:54.

“(Congratulations to) Delly for running a new personal record and breaking the 30-minute barrier for the first time,” said Scott, adding, “It is hard to believe that three weeks have passed by at this point. I must say that for such a young team I have been so impressed with everyone’s effort and positive attitudes.”