When the Sanford boys track team competes at Windham this Saturday, it will be trying to win its first-ever Class A state title.

It’s not a bad goal for this squad. After all, the team won its first-ever Westbrook relays this year and last week won their first-ever Southwestern Conference championship.

It’s been a stellar season for this group of hardworking and talented athletes. In addition to winning titles, they also finished 11-1.

So, what’s the secret to their success.

“They are the most competitive race day group I have ever seen,” Sanford coach Kevin Way said. “They have a winning attitude and they don’t like to lose.”

That’s pretty obvious when looking at some numbers. At last week’s conference championship meet, Sanford competitors finished either first, second or third in 10 of 20 events.

Junior Alex Shain led the way winning titles in the 100-meter dash, long jump and triple jump.

Teammate Dan Webb won the 200 and finished third in the 400. The 1,600-relay team won a title and the 400-relay team finished second.

Jimmy Chaison won the title in the 800. It all added up to a group of athletes that stands a real chance at doing something special for Sanford on Saturday.

“It’s a phenomenal thing,” Way said.

In order to win that first-ever state championship, Sanford will face some stiff competition.

The Southwestern Conference is loaded with teams that have legitimate shots at winning the title on Saturday, including Gorham, Cheverus and Bonny Eagle. The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference also bodes perennial powers Edward Little and Lewiston.

“The thing about this year is it’s a pretty equitable division,” Way said. “We feel good and like our chances. These kids are humble and have good attitudes, and I appreciate that.”

This seems to be Sanford’s year, though, as it has blossomed into a stellar track program. Last year, the team placed fifth at states and focused on this season with one goal in mind.

“We had talked about winning the state championship since last season,” Way said. “The kids have worked hard, and the key horses have been doing their job fulfilling expectations.”

Sanford hasn’t seen this type of boys track success since 1998, when it finished second in the state.

In order to make something special happen on Saturday, the team will need to pull together. The state meet is all about performance and placing well in all events in order to succeed.

“Everyone has to do their part,” Way said. “They need to come and do what they can do. With hard work and preparation, things will fall into place.”

Individual

achievements

While Sanford’s boys team stands the best shot at winning an overall title, there are plenty of area athletes who have the chance to take home individual crowns.

That begins with Kennebunk’s Abbey Leonardi. The four-time cross country champion and two-time Maine Gatorade Athlete of the Year is the favorite to win the 3,200-meter race.

At the southwestern championships over the weekend, she won the conference title in the event by nearly 30 seconds.

Biddeford’s Ashley Belanger, who won the indoor state title in the shot put, is undefeated this season in the event. She won the conference crown with a throw of 36-10 last week, which was more than a foot better than Noble’s Jillian Hodsdon. The first Eastern Maine competitor who could challenge either Belanger or Hodsdon is Edward Little’s Hannah Carrier, who is currently ranked 10th in the state. Belanger is ranked second.

Sanford’s Nikki Farmer also stands a chance of taking home the title in the javelin. Farmer is currently ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Class A. Her stiffest competition is likely Edward Little’s Kelly Philbrook, who is ranked No. 2 in Class A. Her best throw this season, however, was two feet shorter than Farmer’s.

Thornton Academy’s Marie Vermund won the conference title in the long jump over the weekend with a 16-7 leap. She will have to get past Bangor’s duo of Grace Maclean and Tiffany Gray to win the state title. Both Rams have personal bests this season of 17-7 3/4 and 17-6 1/2, respectively.

On the boys side, Biddeford’s James Ociti has a shot at winning the 400-meter race. Ociti won the southwestern crown last week in a little more than half a second. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the state behind Brunswick’s Alex Nichols. It should be a competitive race on Saturday as Nichols’ best time this season is 49.91 and Ociti’s best time is 49.98.

Kennebunk’s Austin Weigle and Trevor Luck leapt 5-10 last week in the high jump, placing second and third behind Bonny Eagle’s Jon Thomas, who also leapt 5-10. Luck, however, is ranked No. 1 in Class A with his best leap being 6-2, which ties Cony High School’s Julian Hubbard.

Thornton Academy’s Chris Walker, who won the conference title in the 110-meter hurdles last week, will be in the running for the state title on Saturday.