Messalonskee High School senior Harlow Ladd will be running for a state record today in the Class A boys 2-mile, but while Ladd will be competing at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, he’ll have one eye on the Class B indoor track and field state meet at Bates College in Lewiston.

“I’ll be watching how Matt McClintock does. I want to have a better time than him,” Ladd said.

The favorite in the Class A race, Ladd’s seed time is 9 minutes, 25.55 seconds, just over a second off the state record (9:24.26) set by South Portland’s Eric Giddings in 2005. Ladd is also the favorite in the 1-mile.

“The state meet record (in the 2-mile) is definitely my priority. I don’t care how I do in the mile,” Ladd said. “I want to go under 9:24.”

For his part, McClintock will be checking to see Ladd’s time.

“We’re starting to develop a little friendly rivalry,” McClintock said.

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The Class B 2-mile record, 9:15.5 by Bruce Bickford of Lawrence has stood since 1975. McClintock’s seed time is 9:37.76, but he feels like he can make a run at Bickford’s record.

“I think I’m physically capable of it,” McClintock, who is also the favorite in the mile, said.

The Waterville girls will try to defend their Class B state title, and win for the fourth time in six years. The Purple Panthers expect tough competition from Greely of Cumberland.

“I think you’ll have to score 100 points to win,” Waterville coach Ian Wilson said. “If you just look at the seeds on paper, we look strong. But like I always tell the kids, seeds are just an indication of what somebody did in the past. You have to go out there and perform.”

The only girl with a time under one minute in the 400, Waterville’s Olivia Thurston has a chance to break the state record she set at last year’s state meet, 59.91 seconds. Thurston is also the top seed in the 55 hurdles, where she’ll be pushed by Winslow’s Christine Parrilli.

Waterville’s Bethanie Brown is the top seed in the mile, 2-mile and 800. Winslow’s Alliyah Veilleux and Waterville’s Georgia Bolduc are contenders in the 55 and 200. Kellie Bolduc of Waterville is the top seed in the triple jump.

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The Waterville boys finished as runner-up to Falmouth last season, and will contend with York and Falmouth for the title. The Panthers are led by Nick Margitza, the top seed in the shot put, Jordhan Levine, the top seed in the triple jump, and Devin Burgess, the top seed in the pole vault.

Erskine’s Zac Lee is a contender in the Class B 55 hurdles, while Mt. View’s Curtis Griffin is among the favorites in the 55.

In the Class A girls meet, Cony’s Lindsey Folsom will try and defend her pole vault championship.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com


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