By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The Washburn girls’ cross country team picked up a championship last Wednesday and is hoping for another, on a much larger stage, this coming weekend. Even without the services of their top runner, three-time state champion Carsyn Koch — out with an ankle injury — the Beavers were dominant at the Aroostook League championships held in Houlton.
Carmen Bragg of Washburn took individual honors with a time of 19 minutes and 58.1 seconds on the 2.9-mile course. Mackenzie Worcester of the Beavers was third in 20:18.2, Tori Koch fourth in 20:20.5, Emilia Churchill fifth in 20:34.72 and Marianne Helton sixth in 22:19.27.
Washburn had the only full team to score its 15 points. GHCA, Fort Kent and Limestone-MSSM also had runners competing.
Koch is expected back for Saturday’s regional meet, according to coach Mike Waugh.
The Beaver boys placed second in the meet to Fort Kent. Washburn had 34 points, with Derek Baker taking third place overall in 18:19.12 and Alex Pelletier fourth in 18:36.63.
Cameron Preston was sixth in 18:54.54, with Michael Ericson taking 10th in 19:23.89.
At Hermon Saturday, the Presque Isle boys placed third in the Penobscot Valley Conference championships with 75 points.
Leading the Wildcats were Saul Nunez, who was 11th in 18:05.01 on the 3.1-mile course, and Trevor Levesque, 14th in 18:20.19. Dustin Drabek was 18th and Jason Bartley 23rd.
For the PI girls, who placed fifth with 130 points, Emily Colligan was 18th in 21:58.85 and Mandy Graham 22nd in 22:18.51.
The Eastern Maine championships are next and slated for Saturday in Belfast.
