Sports Desk

The spring season is the shortest and the most compressed, compared to fall and winter athletics that require nearly three months. In approximately one and one/half months, each respective team completes its regular season and the post season.

Regardless, time is of the essence. So a team or individual that starts out slow do not have a lot of time to correct any shortcomings. Therefore, one major objective is to maintain focus in an attempt to put forth a maximum effort.

In track, the teams are small, so most of the individuals compete in multiple events. This is opposite of larger schools where kids might specialize in one or two events.

The Dirigo boys are led by Bryan Blackman, who runs the 100 and 200 meters. The senior is unbeaten so far in the 200 and has qualified for MVC and states in these events. Last week, in a five-team meet at Telstar, Blackman won the two aforementioned sprints, was a member of the winning relay and finished second in the high jump. Those feats rekindle memories of former Mountain Valley standout Joe Bedard, who regularly won four events in 1991.

Other Cougars who have qualified for MVC's include the 4x100 of Jason Baldinelli, Nick Young, Michael Chow. They have qualified in other events, also -- Baldinelli (110 hurdles), Blackman (high jump), Young (1600M,3200M, Nick Davenport (high jump) and Chow (javelin).

“The Kids are doing well,” said coach Donna Gilbert. “The last chance (qualifying) meet was held in Telstar on Monday. Quite a few are close to qualifying and the MVC's are this Friday.”

The Cougar girls discovered first hand that every position counts after winning a meet 114-113 over Madison. Salena Sawtelle won the 100 by edging out a Bulldog runner by 100th of a second. Silvia Lutick, Sam Morse, Hannah Knight, Kayla Gaudin and Miranda Shurtleff have all qualified for MVCs and states. The 4x800 relay includes Knight, Lindsy Crutchfield, Kelsey Wilson and Lexi Noyes.

The Dirigo girls' tennis team, ranked No. 6, lost 3-2 to unbeaten St. Doms. Addy Fuller has moved to No. 2, beating Meri Brown in a challenge match to regain her position from 2010. A meet with Carrabec was suspended last Monday afternoon as the courts got too wet and slippery. It will be resumed with Dirigo down 1-0 and the unbeaten pair of Hebert and Howe at second doubles was called off with Carrabec up 10-9.