4 min read

OAKLAND — It was the greatest day in the history of the Bucksport girls track and field program.

And, sadly, head coach Matt Morrison was not there to enjoy it.

The Golden Bucks ran away with the Class C title Tuesday at Messalonskee High’s Veterans Stadium — the first state championship in program history. Bucksport finished with 91 points, followed by runner-up Maine Central Institute (72.5 points) and Orono (65).

Assistant coaches Lindsey Gordon and Johanna Stiles, both former Bucksport athletes, led the team while Morrison was at a work conference in Michigan.

“We’ve been texting, FaceTime, everything (to update him),” said Gordon. “When the meet got (rescheduled from Saturday to Tuesday), he was like, ‘I feel sick.’ He lives for this, and he’s such a great coach.”

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On the boys side, Orono dominated to win its second title in the last three years and its fifth since 2015. The Red Riots finished with 125 points, followed by George Stevens (87 points) and Bangor Christian (49).

The Bucksport girls were led by the Rose twins, Haley and Madison. Haley Rose won the 100-meter dash (12.74 seconds), the 200 (26.18 seconds) and the 400 (1:00.49).

“This is my first time winning all three events,” she said. “I thought it was a possibility to finish second, but I’m really glad to get all three. Going against fast people really puts a second gear in you. It makes you go, ‘Wow, I’ve really got to go,’ and that helps.”

Madison Rose finished second in the 100 hurdles (16.44) and 300 hurdles (47.19). She was also a part of two winning relay teams. The 4×100-meter relay team of Madison Rose, Addison Goss, Ruby Pereira and Belle Valenzuela finished in 52.92. Both Madison and Haley Rose, along with Valenzuela and Aivah Tweedie, won the 4×400 relay with a time of 4:19.48.

“I’m very excited,” Stiles said. “I was a part of this team just three years ago, and we never got this close to winning (a title).”

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“I couldn’t imagine this happening (years ago),” added Gordon. “We’re just so happy for the girls.”

The Orono boys took the lead from the start, winning the 3,200 relay (8:40.85) with Liam Waring, Camden Brown, Owen Beane and Ben Arsenualt.

“I’m beyond ecstatic from what I’ve seen today,” said Orono coach Dereck Treadwell. “Just the heart these kids have shown (has been amazing).”

Arsenault, a senior, put forth one of the strongest efforts of the day, holding off William Morris of Dirigo (4:36.31) by a second to win the 1,600 with a time of 4:35.90. Later, Arsenault had to dig deep again, as a strong finishing kick gave him a victory of less than a second over Desmond Robinson of Carrabec. Arsenault’s time was 10:08.88, while Robinson finished in 10:09.51.

“I’ve been working all season (for this win),” Arsenault said. “I’m lost for words, honestly. That was a tough race, and I’m happy with myself. That last lap, I knew it was the lap that makes or breaks (the race). I thought I gave Desmond a little too much space to work with. He was cruising, and he made it really hard. I just had to drop the hammer and go.

“Winning the team title means so much,” Arsenault added. “This team has worked so hard. It just means so much for us and the community.”

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David Brewer (7:41.51) won the race walk for the Red Riots, and senior Brady Grant won the discus with a throw of 130 feet, more than 20 feet beyond his previous best.

“I don’t know how I did that,” Brewer said. “There was a lot of grass in the circle, and I think (throwers) were just worried about slipping. I just knew what I was going to do.”

Teanne Ewings of Houlton/Hodgdon/Greater Houlton Christian had the most dominant day, winning the girls 3,200 (10:55.54) by 36 seconds. She also cruised to victory in the 1,600 (5:03.74).

“The weather turned out to be (a plus),” Ewings said. “That was nice. I’m glad I got the chance to race all these girls, that was a lot of fun.”

Ewings’ teammate, Natalie Johnson (2:20.80), edged Karen Higgins of Boothbay/Wiscasset (2:21.51) in the 800.

MCI junior Angelina Boisvert started her day with a victory in the 100 hurdles (16.47). She also won the shot put at 33 feet, 9 inches.

“I’m super thrilled,” Boisvert said. “I had a goal today of not getting anything under third (place), and I did it.”

Winslow’s Hassan Hobbi swept the boys hurdle events, winning the 110 in 15.15 and the 300 in 40.68.

“I didn’t think that I would do as good as I did,” Hobbi said. “That was a surprise. I was feeling good, a little bit of a warmup helped. During the race, you just start to get into it.”

Dave Dyer is in his second stint with the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel. Dave was previously with the company from 2012-2015 and returned in late 2016. He spent most of 2016 doing freelance sports...

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