October 18, the BRES Cross Country headed to Camden for the Busline League Championship knowing they had to run harder and faster than they had for what was already considered a successful season. They were again facing a strong Camden girls team, and the Troy Howard Middle School boys team from Belfast: the two teams that they needed to beat to come home victors. The 2.2 mile trail and the weather were perfect.

The BRES boys tied for first place with Troy Howard Middle School which meant the 6th place runners were needed to break the tie. Boothbay’s Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco (15:37.50) helped to carry the team to first place over Troy Howard’s Trevor Martell (16:15.10). BRES’s Joey Paolillo completed his season undefeated placing first overall, and set a course record completing 2.2 miles in 13:00.60. Troy Howard placed second, Camden Hills third, Lincolnville Center School fourth, Searsport Middle School fifth, Oceanside Middle School sixth, and Medomak Valley Middle School seventh.

Also joining in the race, but with too few runners to score were Appleton, Islesboro and Great Salt Bay.

Other runners helping BRES to its victory were: Kyle Ames (3rd place/13:19.40), Blake Erhard (10th place/14:23.40), Jay Hasch (15th place/14:31.20), Sam Burnham (29th place/15:35.00), and Will LaBrecque (37th place/16:30.60).

BRES girls team pulled to finish second overall with a score of 54 points. BRES’s Faith Blethen placed 4th overall (14:27.27) close behind Islesboro’s Annikka Rogers (14:26.91). Augusta Stockman (14:21.30) and Emma Trapani (14:24.02) of Camden Hills placed first and second respectively leading Camden Hills to first place with a total of 27 points.

Third place overall went to Oceanside Middle School with 93 points with Lincolnville Center School close behind in fourth place with 94 points.

Searsport Middle School with 115 points came in 5th, Medomak Valley Middle School was sixth with 117 points and last but not least, Troy Howard Middle School placed 7th overall with 194 points.

Appleton, Islesboro and Great Salt Bay were unable to score due to their number of runners. Other runners from Boothbay helping the team to their second place victory were: Helen Hamblett (10th place/15:26.00), Willow Beavis (14th place/15:44.42), Lincoln Hamblett (15th place/15:48.03), Olivia Paolillo (17th place/15:59.68), Evy Case (28th place/16:42.36) and Mady McLellan (36th place/17:44.86).

Boothbay’s own Will Berry placed first overall in the J.V. race with a time of 15:16.80. Other Boothbay runners competing were Brett Hollowell (15:22.70), Sam Betts (16:06.90), Graham Bryer (16:11.00), Noah Sherburne (16:38.90), Alex Eason (16:41.90), Griffin Kane (16:42.70), Lexie Lane (17:54.70), Rick Hilscher (17:32.70), Liam Cullina (19:00.20), Abby Teele (20:24.20), Gabriella Boord (21:00.40), Colin Cabrera (30:30.10), Nick Labonte (31:11.80), and Alexis Davison (33:47.70).

Every single person on this team worked hard all season to accomplish the results on October 18. This is what teamwork is all about. Every single person on this team counts, each and every day at practice and at meets.

These runners have a lot to be proud of as they represented their community well with hard work and strong spirit. They decided what they wanted to accomplish and they achieved it. Bravo, team!