Meet 20 southern Maine cross country runners to watch in 2026
The Southern Maine high‑school cross‑country season reached a decisive moment on Saturday, Oct. 31, when the Class A girls’ race at the Twin Brook Recreation Area in Cumberland ended with Portland’s sophomore Nora Schmidt taking the title in 18:28.64. Schmidt’s performance lifted the Portland Bulldogs to the team championship, the first team title for the program in the 2025 season.
Schmidt has been a force in the region for the past fall. She captured the Festival of Champions, the Class A South championship and the state meet in a string of victories that earned her the Varsity Maine Girls Cross‑Country Runner of the Year award for 2025. Her 18‑minute run at Twin Brook was the fastest of the day and the most decisive factor in Portland’s victory over rivals such as Camden Hills, Yarmouth and Falmouth.
The race field was led by a mix of returning All‑State picks and fresh talent. Waynflete senior Paige Alexander, who finished fourth in a strong Class C field as a sophomore, was fourth in the Class A event after a strong season. Falmouth’s Parker Fox, who placed seventh in Class A the previous fall, was a close contender and helped his team move up toward the state title. Massabesic junior Abigail Gilley, who was 10th in Class A and 12th in Maine at the New England meet last year, continued to lead a improving squad that now includes new speed from Corinne Shank.
Brunswick junior Fiona Hallett finished 13th in the fall state meet, and Lincoln Academy senior Karen Higgins—who has been a top distance runner in Maine for the past two years—was a clear favorite heading into the championship. Falmouth senior Georgia Moon, who came off a fifth‑place finish in the 1,600‑meter at the New England championships, was again a key runner for her team. Freeport senior Ella Oshetski, a returning runner from the defending Class B champions, and Thornton Academy senior Mackenzie Shields, who was 14th at last fall’s state meet, were both strong contributors for their squads.
Allie Schmitt of Cheverus, a senior and another Varsity Maine All‑State pick, ran third in Class A last fall and formed a top‑tier tandem with Annabel Kimball, who finished ninth in 2025. Schmitt’s hill‑running strength was noted as a possible advantage on the demanding Cony course of the Oct. 31 state meets.
On the boys’ side, the Twin Brook race showcased several returning standouts. Thornton Academy senior Ryan Bolduc, a former high‑school soccer player who is running cross‑country for the first time, finished second in the SMAA relays behind Atticus Merriam of Scarborough. Gorham senior Owen Cummings, who was 13th in Class A and qualified for the New England championships, was a key runner for the Rams. Medomak Valley senior Colby Daigle, who was 12th at last year’s Class B championship, captured an eight‑team meet at Mt. Ararat earlier in the season.
Falmouth freshman Mateo Diaz, who finished with the third‑fastest time in the SMAA relays, added fresh depth to the Navigators. Freeport senior Ian Guzman and Camden Hills junior Noah Seigh were top performers for their respective teams, while Scarborough senior Atticus Merriam, who placed 69th at the New England championship, was a two‑time Varsity Maine All‑State pick and the Class A 1,600‑meter champion. Yarmouth junior Bowen Mitchell, who won the Wells High Invitational with a sub‑17‑minute time, was a leading runner for the Clippers. Portland senior Emile Olins, who was 18th in Class A last fall
