Waterville’s Kara Anderson looks to clear the bar during the high jump at a Jan. 19 KVAC indoor track and field meet at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

No central Maine indoor track and field teams ran away with championships this winter, but several student-athletes turned in standout performances in the postseason.

Skowhegan senior Billy Albertson broke two longstanding records at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A meet on Feb. 12 at Bowdoin College in Brunswick.

Albertson won the 55-meter dash event in 6.57 seconds, breaking the previous record of 6.59 that McKenzie Gary of Mt. Ararat (2011) and Sean Droney of Brunswick (1987) previously held. Albertson also set a new mark in the long jump, with a leap of 22 feet, 9 ¾ inches. That smashed the previous record of 22-2.75 set by Droney in 1989. Albertson also won KVAC titles in the 200 (22.95).

“Billy’s whole life centers around track,” Skowhegan head coach Dave Evans said. “He is truly a one-sport athlete and he puts his efforts into it. We sat down after last year and we made some goals and he worked toward those goals all year long. After his sophomore year, Billy bought into the system with our staff, and he’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do and more.”

Albertson went on to win the Class A title in the long jump (22-7.75) on Feb. 19 in Gorham. Albertson will continue his track career at the University of Maine.

“He’s been one of the hardest workers that I’ve ever had in my 45 years of coaching,” Evans said. “He’s a student of the game, he works hard on his technique. … Billy works as hard at doing drills as anyone I’ve ever seen.”

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The Winslow boys had a good showing at the KVAC B meet, edging Maine Central Institute to finish second behind champion Leavitt. Joey Richards won three events: the 55-meter dash (6.66 seconds), the 200 (25.11) and the 400 (50.89). All three marks set new program records. Richards was named co-athlete of the meet with Leavitt’s Stephen Pierre. Richards would go on to win the 200 (23.00) at the Class B championships.

“He’s self-motivated, but he’s really kind of a quiet character,” Winslow head coach Ken Nadeau said. “His moral character and moral compass are just far greater than most kids his age. Athletically, he’s just got the stuff. Coaching-wise, this is year 17 for me. I said this at my banquet: Joey is the most pure track athlete that Winslow has had since probably the (1960s). When you compare him to top athletes that the high school has had, (Waterville head coach) Katie Souviney is at the top of the list. Joey is of that caliber.”

Winslow also had victories from Justin Rogers in the 800 (2:05.44) and Hasson Hobbi in the 55 hurdles (8.37). The Black Raiders also took first in the 4×800 relay (9:00.75) and would go on to win the event (8:30.97) at the Class B championships.

Skowhegan long jumper Billy Albertson set a state record with a jump of 22 feet, 7.5 inches during the Class A track championships on Feb. 19 at USM in Gorham. Carl D. Walsh/ Staff Photographer

“We gave up a lot of events, but what we did have were top scorers,” Nadeau said. “I think that’s the only way we survived a little bit… If you put into perspective how we scored overall, I was very happy. Numbers weren’t high, I had about 19 kids during the season. Of those, about 18 went to KVACs and all but one (made podium) that day.”

Junior Samuel Gerrie led MCI at the KVAC B championships. Gerrie won the triple-jump (40-6 and was second in the long jump. Nokomis junior Elijah Jabubisn had a standout performance at the meet as well, winning both distance events. He finished with a time of 4:43.90 in the mile and 10:40.86 in the two-mile.

In girls indoor track, Waterville had two standouts in seniors Kara Anderson and Madison Yakimchick. Anderson won the KVAC B title in both the long jump (17-1) and the triple jump (35-0.75). Yakimchick finished third in the 55 dash (7.70), finished second to Anderson in the long jump (16-2.5) and third in the triple jump (33-2).

Winslow junior Kyri Meak had a breakout performance at the KVAC B championships, winning the 55 dash (7.57). She also finished third in the long jump (14-10.25).

“She had everything come together at the right time on that day,” Nadeau said. “She had the right start. Her stride pattern was on point… She was really consistent throughout the season. She was running under eight (seconds throughout the year). She hit it at the right time during that meet, she had a (7.57 second time). I just think she’s become really focused. I know she loves soccer, that’s her passion. But now she sees that she’s a good track athlete, too. She’s young, but she’s taken (track) and run with it, pun intended.”

Lawrence junior Zoe Hutchins won the KVAC B shot put title with a throw of 35-4. Sophomore Gabrielle Finelli helped MCI finish third at the KVAC B championships. She placed second in the triple jump (34-9.5) and fourth in the long jump (14-9.5).

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