In his 19th season as track coach, Nick Scott can't remember a better start for his Boothbay/Wiscasset track teams. On April 17, the girls' team saw nine athletes qualify for the Mountain Valley Conference Championship meet and the boys' team had five qualifiers. In addition, the girls won the meet against Lincoln Academy and Medomak Valley in Wiscasset. "We've never seen results this strong prior to April vacation," Scott said. "We are building on a strong indoor season, and the first meet bodes well for us."

Three returning girls' team members qualified for the 2024 state meet. Rose Campbell finished fifth at the state meet in the 200M dash. Karen Higgins placed in the top seven in the 3,200M and Maddie Orchard placed in the top seven in the 800M dash. 

Scott believes other returning runners Sophia Mansfield and Olivia Rittall, who posted impressive results last season as sprinters, will make significant contributions this spring.

Both the boys' and girls' teams have large freshmen classes. The Smith sisters, Moriah and Zurie, posted strong results in their first high school meet. "They are both great athletes and it's going to be exciting watching their development," he said.

Senior Anna Strozier is a first-year team member. In her first track event, Strozier had double duty as she also plays for the Wiscasset softball team.  Wiscasset hosted an April 17 softball game in conjunction with the track meet.  "She found time to compete in the triple jump and won the event. That was a tremendous achievement," Scott said. 

Campbell is a junior and will likely be one of the busiest track athletes in the MVC this spring. She competes in the 100M, 200M, 400M, discus and 4x400M relay. Her best event is the 200 with a 27.41 seconds personal best. Campbell enjoys competing in all of her events. "I'm pretty competitve in each one so it makes an easier choice to compete in several of them," she said. 

Higgins is a sophomore and competes in the 800, 1600 and 3,200. She excels in all of them. Her dedication and mental approach are key factors in her success. "It's a combination of hard work and training consistency. In addition, her competitve streak and tenacity are amazing," Scott said. "In the past year, she has gone from being 'Class C good' to just good regardless of class."

Orchard is a senior and a standout performer in the 800. She is also a team leader. "She is a talented sprinter, but her leadership is also a valuable asset to our team," Scott said. 

The boys' team also has several returning standout performers. In last year's state meet, sophomore AJ Crocker posted a top 10 finish. Scott describes him as a fierce competitor with an appetite for training. This spring, Crocker's training regimen consists of  running 45 miles per week. "In the past three years between middle and high school trainings he hasn't missed  one. That includes voluntary summer sessions," Scott said. 

Crocker will compete in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 events. "My goal this season is setting personal bests," he said.

Junior Ross Gaffney is a competitve race walker who is off to a strong start. He scored his personal best April 17 in the mile. "He is a hard worker and has improved each year," Scott said. 

Senior Logan Bourne is the team's top athlete in field events. He throws discus, shot put and javelin. His season goal is qualifying for the state meet. "My best event is discus where I threw 36-6," he said.

Junior Lysander Lefevre runs the 100 and 200. He throws the discus and javelin and is a long-jumper. "I've had three different coaches in three years so I've learned a lot and improved," Lefevre said. "My goal is doing well in the state meet."

The Boothbay/Wiscasset track team hosts an MVC home meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at Wiscasset Middle High School.