With Labor Day around the corner, Boothbay Region’s athletes and their fans are getting ready for fall sports.

The high school cross country teams are no exception. Each weekday afternoon, they can be seen exercising on the school fields and running together on local roadways as they prepare for another season.

Coach Nick Scott is back at the helm for the Boothbay Region High School running teams, and he is very glad to be back doing what he loves.

“I am super excited to be coaching cross country again this year,” Coach Scott wrote in an email. “We have great numbers once again, 20 boys and 6 girls, and I'm hoping that we can get one more girl to round out a full varsity squad.”

With the graduation of some serious speed last June, the Seahawks are going to need to fill some big, and fast, shoes this year. Girls team standout Sophia Thayer and boys 2013 state champion teammates Robert Campbell, Benn Scully and Jack Hasch will be sorely missed this year, and not only for their great running times.

“Benn, Robert and Sophia did an amazing job of leading the team, even with a different coach last year,” Scott said. “They are amazing individuals and great leaders.”

Although sorry to see such superior talent move on, Scott has his sights set clearly on the road ahead.

“The boys team this year has great depth and it should be really interesting to see who makes the varsity team (top seven),” Scott said. “They look particularly strong in the conference, seeded only one point behind Winthrop in the overall seeding. While they are nowhere near favorites at either regionals nor states, they should be very competitive during the championship season.”

Scott said how the girls team will fare is harder to judge.

“It is too early to tell with any kind of certainty how the season will shape up for the girls,” Scott said. “The team is short handed, with only six girls on the roster. A lot will depend upon how well Morgan (Crocker), Hannah (Morley) and Kate (Friant) can hang towards the front of the race and if the remaining team members can minimize pack time.”

To be truly competitive, cross country runners must start the preseason already in top condition, and that has been key to the Seahawks’ success in recent years. 

Scott said this year’s top runners have been training hard in the offseason, and he expects their fitness will ensure more individual and team success. The top returners for the Seahawks this season are seniors Kyle Alamo (team captain) and Kyler Carty, junior Matt Burnham and sophomore Joey Paolillo; and for the Lady Seahawks, senior Morgan Crocker (team captain), junior Hannah Morley and sophomore Kate Friant.

“Joey had an amazing freshman debut and has trained consistently and intelligently this summer. He has set himself up to have an amazing season,” Scott said. “Matt had a solid season last year and his fitness has improved from a year ago. He looks primed to have another great season.”

“For the girls, Morgan and Hannah are both very talented runners and two-time all conference team members,” Scott said. “Kate has a great potential, a great personal record and I suspect she will see a lot of growth over last year.”

Scott said he expects that newcomers freshman Kyle Ames, who won the eighth grade Busline League individual championship last year, junior Dan Drummond and freshman Lincoln Hamblett will also be looking to work their way into the front scoring pack.

The Seahawks cross country season takes off at Medomak Valley High School on Sept. 5.