Houlton/GHCA track and field stars shine amid harsh conditions

CARIBOU, ME -The Houlton/GHCA track team took to the lanes of Caribou High School May 13 as week four of the PVC Meet schedule brought the Aroostook County League and the teams from Ellsworth, Central of Corinth, and Piscataquis of Guildford together.

“Our kids faced their second straight week of unfavorable conditions in some cooler temps and gusting winds but despite this, we still had plenty of breakthrough performances,” said Coach Chris Rines.

Houlton/GHCA assistant coach William Janakis. added, “Competing in weather like this can be difficult physically and mentally if you are trying to hit a qualifying time or smash through a new personal best. We’re very fortunate to have some amazingly talented athletes on this team and many were able to rise above the elements to set new best marks.”

The team continued their reduced event schedule for a second straight week, allowing students to focus on some of those events that they were trying to hit qualifying marks in.  With just six athletes and the reduced events the girls team would still find a second overall place in the team standings with 75 points.  PI would win the meet with a score of 152. The remaining results were PCHS 73; Caribou 64; Central 63; Fort Kent 37; Fort Fairfield 34; Ellsworth 30 and MSSM 10.

Teanne Ewings claimed a pair of wins in the 1600m and 800m while Natalie Johnson picked up her second career win in the 3200m. Scoring for Houlton/GHCA was Ariana Ardell with 15 points – 100m sixth, 200m second, and Long Jump third; Ewings 20 points – 1600m first and 800m first; Johnson 18 points – 1600m second and 3200m first; Leanne Ross 14 points – 1600m third and 3200m second; and Andrea Ross eight points – 1600m  and 800m each fourth place.  Grabbing non-scoring top 10 places was Amelia Drake 400m 10th and A. Ross in the High Jump eighth.

Our boy’s squad posted some impressive improvements but fell shy of some scoring positions this meet. They too were working with a reduced event schedule so scoring opportunities were more uncommon than usual.  Winning the meet was host Caribou with 197 points while Ellsworth came in second with 131. Rounding out the results were Presque Isle 81; MSSM 62; Central 48; Fort Fairfield 20; Washburn 12; tied, Houlton GHCA and Fort Kent sixth.

Scoring for the boys was the distance team of James Brady and Landon Laferriere.  Both competed in the Javelin, 1600m, and 800m, with Brady placing fifth in each race for four p

 

oints and Laferriere placing sixth in the races for two points.  Earning non-scoring top 10 places was Brady in Javelin ninth and Gavin Wright in Shot Put seventh.

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