PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Kendra Stephens made it back-to-back titles by recording an 11-second victory in the Middle School Cross Country Aroostook League Championship, held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle last Wednesday.
The Union 122 runner finished the two-mile course in a time of 13:30. Five Caribou runners followed, leading the Vikes to the team title. Finishing in the second through sixth positions were Hannah Graham (13:41), Dominique Hessert (14:28), Emily Soderberg (14:33), Ashley Richards (14:43) and Clara Collins (14:55).
In seventh was Shelby Condon of Presque Isle with a 14:56 clocking.
Danielle Pelkey led Limestone by placing 11th in 15:22.
Thirty six runners completed the course, with Caribou scoring 20 points to take first place, followed by Union 122 with 55 and Presque Isle with 69. Limestone did not field a full team, therefore did not figure in the team results.
In the boys’ race, Limestone’s Nate Tucker led the way. His time of 12:25 was 28 seconds faster than Ryan Washington of Caribou, who came in at 12:53.
Again it was the Vikings’ depth which was crucial in earning the team the Aroostook League title. Caribou runners made up six of the race’s top 11, as Taylor Thibodeau was fourth in 13:36, Colby Holdsworth seventh in 13:54, Tanner Edgecomb ninth in 14:03, Dylan Berkoski 10th in 14:12 and Jesse Page 11th in 14:23.
Limestone turned in a solid team effort, with its 41 points on the afternoon just nine behind Caribou’s 32. Christian Miles was third in 13:29 and Brett Butler fifth in 13:48 for the Eagles.
The first Presque Isle runners were Saul and Christian Nunez, sixth and eighth, respectively with times of 13:50 and 13:57.
Crossing the finish line first for Union 122 was Tsion MacLeod, who was 12th in 14:39.
The Wildcats were third in the meet with 59 points and the Union 122 squad was fourth with 107.
