Foxcroft Academy, Dexter runners advance to state cross country championships

By Ernie Clark

Staff Writer

BELFAST — Three area runners will compete in Saturday’s state high school cross country championships after successfully qualifying during last weekend’s North regional qualifying meet at the Troy A. Howard Middle School.

Seniors Gabe Piquette and Jen Clawson of Foxcroft Academy and junior William Strauch of Dexter scored top-30 individual finishes in their respective races to advance to the state meet at the Twin Brook Recreation Area in Cumberland.

Piquette placed 14th among 105 finishers in the Class B North boys race, completing the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 43.92 seconds — a 5:42.5 per mile pace.

That time was 1:23:47 faster than Piquette was timed in on the same course when he finished 74th at last year’s Class B state meet in 19:07.39.

Clawson qualified for States by finishing 21st among 90 finishers in the Class B North girls race. Her time of 21:56.54 was good for a per mile average of 7:03.8.

Strauch earned his berth at the state meet by placing 29th among 86 finishers in the Class B North boys race. He was timed in 18:55.85, a 6:05.06 per mile pace.