The track season is nearing its zenith; this past Friday’s Western Maine Conference Championship gathered better than a dozen schools from around Southern Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s Costello Sports Complex in Gorham.

Falmouth, traditionally strong, did particularly well as a team, taking first on the boys’ side of things and third on the girls. Likewise, York showed strong; both their boys and girls finished second.

WMCs were especially important for teams this year, as the track schedule is actually quite short – five regular season meets only, one of which was recently cancelled due to the weather. WMCs is thus a critical, last opportunity for athletes to qualify for States.

“It’s a quick season, especially when you miss a meet,” said Cape head coach Doug Worthley, amidst the proceedings.

“Kristen Penley just won the junior girls high jump,” Worthley said. “So I’m happy about that. For a freshman to win the event, it’s really pretty cool.”

Worthley also praised his top performers in the senior girls high jump – Morgan Carpenter and Katie Oberholtzer, who was competing for the first time all season, having finally recovered from an injury – as well as Mitch Morris in the mile and a number of other athletes as well.

Boys team scores

1. Falmouth, 168

2. York, 129

3. Fryeburg, 78

4. Greely, 44.5

5. Yarmouth, 38

6. Traip, 31

7. Cape Elizabeth, 26

7. North Yarmouth, 26

9. Wells, 23

10. Gray-New Gloucester, 22

11. Poland, 19

12. Kennebunk, 18

13. Freeport, 15

14. Lake Region, 8

15. Sacopee Valley, 5.5

Girls team scores

1. Greely, 122

2. York, 98

3. Falmouth, 95

4. Traip, 56.5

5. Lake Region, 52

6. Fryeburg, 50

7. Cape Elizabeth, 42

8. Gray-New Gloucester, 33

9. Yarmouth, 31

10. Wells, 28.5

11. Freeport, 17

12. Poland, 13

13. North Yarmouth, 11

14. Kennebunk, 2

Selected senior and open division boys individual scores

200-meter: 11. Tim Brigham, Cape, 25.12

Shot Put: 5. Nate Weare, Cape, 40-00.50;

One Mile: 1. Mitchell Morris, Cape, 4:32.37;

Two Mile: 8. Jared DuPerre, Cape, 10:59.55

Selected senior and open division girls individual scores

55-meter Hurdles: 4. Morgan Carpenter, Cape, 10.46;

High Jump: 2. Morgan Carpenter, Cape, 4-08.00; 4. Katie Oberholtzer, Cape, J4-08.00

800-meter: 1. Eva Brydson, Cape, 2:29.16;

One Mile: 7. Samantha Feenstra, Cape, 5:50.48;

Two Mile: 5. Samantha Feenstra, Cape, 13:04.50; 7. Midori Kwan, Cape, 13:31.66

4×800-meter Relay: 3. Cape A, 10:27.96;

Triple Jump: 7. Morgan Carpenter, Cape, 30-05.50.

Class A States are slated for Feb. 16 at USM; Class B should take place that same day at Bates.

Cape’s Sawyer Wood clears the bar in the pole vault. Wood tied for seventh in the event.