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BY BILL STEWART
Staff Writer 05/21/2008

Staff Writer

It's still the Community Cup -- at least for now, Lawrence track and field coach Tim Alberts jokes.

When asked about the annual meet, Alberts says a name change may soon be needed.

"One of these years we may have to put Waterville's name on it and just call it the Waterville Cup," Alberts said with a laugh.

The 4th annual Community Cup starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at Winslow High School.

And like the last three Cups, the same question engulfs this year's meet: Can anyone beat Waterville?

"Waterville is the three-time champion," Alberts said. "They are just dominating. Unfortunately for the rest of us, it looks like they'll have it four years and running."

At the meet, the trophy is then given to the winning team, although no one has wrestled it away from the Panthers.

Are they ready to give it up this year?

"Not even close," Waterville coach Ian Wilson said.

The Community Cup features Waterville, Lawrence, Winslow, Skowhegan and Messalonskee. Each year the site is rotated among the schools, excluding track-less Messalonskee.

Most teams treat the meet as a final tuneup for their conference championships.

"We generally have the kids do the events they will do at the KVACs," Wilson said. "It's really a dress rehearsal."

Added Alberts: "It gives the kids a championship meet. We're trying to put that in their heads."

Messalonskee coach Scott Wilson joked that his team's goal for the meet is much simpler.

"To not get Jesse Labreck hurt," he said.

• • •

Lawrence hosted Lewiston, Bangor, John Bapst, Nokomis and Camden Hills on Friday in a meet in which nine track records fell. The Lawrence boys finished an impressive second to Lewiston with 132 points. The Blue Devils won the meet with 179 points. John Bapst finished third while Bangor checked in at fourth. The Bangor girls won their meet with a whopping 239 points.

"It's tough to get new records, but they fell that meet," Alberts said.

Riley Masters (Bangor) set the new record in the mile with a time of 4 minutes, 22 seconds. Jennie Lucy, also of Bangor High, set the girls mile mark as well.

Other athletes who broke Lawrence track records include: Bangor's Dianna Wilbur, 300-meter hurdles (49.63); Lewiston's Sadam Abdi, 3,200 (10:15.46); John Bapst's Angel Nelligan, pole vault (9-6); John Bapst's Derek Smith, javelin (165 feet, 11 inches); Lewiston's Kim Archibald, discus (96-8.25). The Bangor girls 4x400 relay team and John Bapst boys 4x400 also set track records.

"It was quite a night," Alberts said.

• • •

The Maine Central Institute girls are right where they thought they would be, coach Jason Allen says.

"We got all of our girls healthy and competing," he said. "We thought we'd be pretty good on the girls side, and we're right there."

The girls finished second in the KVAC Class B meet last season and are in the mix again this year. Breanna Clements (hurdles), Amanda Asaro (distance) and Jenna Lorentsen (sprinter/jumper) turned in strong performances this season to help anchor the Huskies.

"Unfortunately, though, Waterville is still the cream of the crop," Allen said. "I'm not sure anyone will have enough to beat them at the KVAC meet."

• • •

Cony High School will host its annual invitational meet Friday, and Erskine coach Ben Willoughby said his Eagles are excited.

"What we're really getting prepped for is Cony under the lights," Willoughby said. "It's a great venue for a track meet. Having it under the lights makes it feel like a collegiate event. There are usually more parents there, and the kids get up for a larger crowd. It's great for the kids.

"My favorite race is the 4x400 relay. It's the last event of the meet and usually the four fastest kids from all the schools are going against each other. It's a badge of honor to be on 4x400 team."

Erskine will join Gardiner, Cony, Winthrop, Maranacook and Hall-Dale at the meet, which gets under way at 4:30 p.m.

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com

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