Tardy breaks Class B 800 record in Maine

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Considered one of the best ever in Maine, distance star Tia Tardy closed out her high school career in style on Saturday at the Class B State Track and Field Championships at Yarmouth High.

Tardy ran to a Class B state meet 800 record, crossing the finish line in 2:14.76. The Mount Desert Island senior broke the record of 2:16.50 from Bethanie Brown set in 2013.

“Being able to break her record is so amazing to me because she has always been like an idol,” Tardy told the Press Herald after her race.

In the team race, the Greely girls scored 74 points to win.

In the boys race, Winslow claimed the state crown with 98 points, edging out MDI (95). It was Winslow's first title since 1966.

The top scorerr of the meet was Yarmouth junior Luke Laverdiere as he swept the distance events winning the 800 (2:01.00), 1,600 (4:18.75) and 3,200 (9:31.69).

At the Class A meet at Massabesic High in Waterboro, the Scarborough boys scored 103 points to claim the title. Senior Sam Rusak led the way as he soared 16 feet to win the pole vault.

Brewer senior Austin Lufkin excelled in the field, winning thr discus (175-02) and shot put (59-4.50).

On the girls side, Cheverus won the team title as freshman Emma Gallant claimed the 100 (12.60) and 200 (25.33). South Portland's Juliana Selser won the 800 and 1,500.

Lewiston senior Kayla Allen won her fourth consecutive 1,600-meter racewalk title and won her last high school final by more than a minute.

At the Class C state meet at Foxcroft Academy, the Orono girls scored 125.33 points to claim the title, while the boys tallied 102 to make it a complete sweep.

Orono senior Jake Koffman won the discus ( 173-6 ) and shot put (55-2.75).

On the girls side, Orono swept the 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relays to net 30 points.

State champions

Class A: Scarborough boys 103, Cheverus girls 74

Class B: Winslow boys 98, Greely girls 74

Class C: Orono boys 102, Orono girls 125.33