Records fall: Harris 1:51.47 wins NE 800m title, Cheverus 3:24.34 4x400m AT best

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Lewiston's Isaiah Harris finished as the New England runner-up in the 800m a year ago, Harris would return one year later and dominate the field over the last 150m to become the New England champion. In the process harris became the fastest 800m in Maine state HS history via his 1:51.47 clocking. The time broke the 4 year old record of former Greely star Mark McCauley (1:52.80) Entering the race, Harris & Coach TJ Niles though someone would take the pace out hard, but that didn't happen. Harris led the field through in 28 for the first 200m, and through the first 400m in 57.5. With the pace going that slow, Harris knew he would have to run a negative split to run the time he was aiming for. Sean Munnelly of Campbell, NH stepped on the accelrator after the 400m, and only Harris was able to respond to the surge in pace. With 200m to go it looked like Harris was hurting, and in trouble but with 150m to go Isaiah dug deep and opened up his stride, and powered home for an easy victory. The ease with which he moved over the last 100m of the race had the crowd buzzing with excitment. Harris closed the final lap in 53.9.

MaineTrackXC caught up with fastest 800m in the state

 

At last week's Class A state championship, South Portland sophomore Daniel Guilani had a breakthrough day to win the state title with a heave of 53-6, he entered the meet with a personal best of 48-3. Guilani riding the excitement and confidence of his big throw carried that over to the New England championship where he added over another foot to his personal best with his throw of 54-10. The effort placed Guilani second in all of New England. The future is bright for Dan, and the sky's the limit in this event.

 

The Cheverus 4x400m team ran the fastest FAT 4x400m in state history to win the Class A title a week ago, The team of Elijah Yeboah, James Hannigan, Isaac Yeboah & Jake Dixon had their eyes on taking down the state all-time best fo 3:25.4(HT) by the 1998 Cheverus team. Runnning in section 3, The Stags got off to a good start with a strong leadoff by Elijah Yeboah, James Hannigan had a strong last 100m to close the gap that had opened as he passed to Isaac Yeboah who had finished 3rd in the 300m hurdles earlier, showing his strength Yeboah out Cheverus in the second position at the handoff. Anchor leg Jake Dixon, who finished 3rd in the 400m earlier in the day closed the relay in second place, and a new Maine all-time of 3:24.34. Cheverus now holds state records in all 3 relays (4x100 - 43.32, 4x400 3:24.43 & 4x800 7:51.2)

 

MaineTrackXC talked with the new record holder after their race

 

In the field events, Maine had a strong showing as well. In the high jump Class A champion Austin Weigle cleared a state leading 6-5 en route to a fourth place finsh. In the triple jump Class A runner-up Michael Cuesta of South Portland was the top Maine jumper getting out to 44-5 1/2 to secure a podium finish for the junior. In the Javelin, York sophomore Jack Bouchard, the Class B champion continued his strong postseason throwing with his heave of 181-6, that placed him 4th in New England. In the Discus Class A champion Nick White was on the podium via his 148-8 effort that placed him 6th. Class C pole vault champion Ron Helderman of Madison matched his personal best fo 13-3 to secure 6th place & All-NE honors.

Ben Trapani of Camden Hills was the only other Maine athlete to place, he was 6th in the 800m with a personal best 1:54.73

Class A 400m champion Audrey Weyand closed out her high school career with a podium finish as the senior bound for Northeastern next fall clocked 57.67 to finish 4th overall. Waterville senior thrower Rachel Bergeron had a personal best throw of 120-0 in the discus to earn 4th place. In the triple jump,senior Jade Canak of Erskine Academy repeated as an All-NE selection with her jump of 36-2 1/2

In the girls 1600m, Kialeigh Marston of Bonny Eagle joined a select group of Maine HS girls to ever run under 5 minutes for 1600m, Martson broke the barrier for the first time with her 5th place finish, running 4:59.04.

 

Boys All-New England

Event	Place	Name	School	Performance
800m	1st	Isaiah Harris	Lewiston	1:51.46
Shot Put	2nd	Daniel Guilani	South Portland	54-10
400m	3rd	Jake Dixon	Cheverus	49.66
300IH	3rd	Isaac Yeboah	Cheverus	39.47
High Jump	4th	Austin Weigle	Kennebunk	6-5
Triple Jump	4th	Michael Cuesta	South Portland	44-5 1/2
Javelin	4th	Jack Bouchard	York	181-06
800m	6th	Ben Trapani	Camden Hills	1:54.73
Discus	6th	Nick White	Cheverus	148-8
Pole Vault	6th	Ron Helderman	Madison	13-3

 

Girls All-New England

Event	Place	Name	School	Performance
400m	4th	Audrey Weyand	Bonny Eagle	57.67
Discus	4th	Rachel Bergeron	Waterville	120-0
Triple Jump	5th	Jade Canak	Erskine Academy	36-2 1/2
1600m	5th	Kialeigh Marston	Bonny Eagle	4:59.04