RAIDER RELAY TEAM (left to right) Anna Lastra, Skye Collins, Ori Inirio and Emily McDermith. (Photo by Rachel Damon/FA)

GORHAM — Although the conference championship indoor track and field meet lasted just under seven hours last Friday, Fryeburg Academy Coaches Kevin McDonald and Bobby Collins enjoyed what they saw.

Raider athletes did not let fatigue or the length of the meet affect them as they returned home with seven individual champions.

“Coach Collins and I were overjoyed by this performance,” McDonald said. “We knew we had some exceptional athletes, but this was something special.”

On the team side, the FA boys captured a third place finish and the girls grabbed the sixth spot. There were 16 teams at the Western Maine Conference championship meet.

“This is a combined team of 28 athletes. The two teams the boys lost to combined for over 100 athletes. Needless to say, the Raiders slept with smiles, as did the coaches,” Coach McDonald said.

Skye Collins continues to impress.

“I’m not sure this young athlete realizes what her future could hold. Skye has developed to be a force in the league. While winning the 55m and the 200m junior division, Skye lowered her 200m time by a whooping .76 seconds. She is set to break 28 seconds as she ran 28.10 for the win and this by just a sophomore,” Coach McDonald said. “I can’t help it. I have to say the ‘Syke’ is the limit for this young lady.”

Brea Conder took fifth in the shot put. As a freshman, she also has a bright future, coaches said.

Emily McDermith improved her 400m time by .70 seconds to finish in sixth place.

“Em is looking to pop a big race next week at States,” Coach McDonald predicted.

The 4x200 relay missed the win by .03 seconds. However, the foursome will be a force at States as the team that beat them will go to the Class A meet and Fryeburg is in Class B.

Anna Lastra won the mile in 5:30.29, was second in the two-mile and ran anchor on the 4x200 relay team.

“A fantastic day for this young lady. Anna had not run in two weeks due to a stress fracture in the lower leg. We caught it early and things are fine now,” Coach McDonald said. “This athlete held it together, remained positive, did her cross training and now is ready for the State Meet. We are all very happy to see Anna back.”

On the boys’ side:

In the junior 55m, the Raiders put sprinters into the finals.

“Pretty impressive to see and a testament to Coach Collins’ system,” Coach McDonald said.

Spencer Thomas, Jeremiah Schrader and Max Kummer finished fifth, sixth and eighth, respectively. They followed that effort with a 2-3 finish in the 200m by Miah and Spencer, and a fifth by Max in the 400m. Miah and Spencer also ran legs on the 4x200 relay.

“Nice day by this threesome and as freshman and sophomores, a bright future (is ahead of them),” the coach said.

Eli Thompson won the senior 55m, running 6.84 and followed that up with a sixth in the 200m.

“Eli is coming into his own at just the right time,” the coach said.

The 200m also saw Stepen Lin Yangkai take a huge 2.02 seconds off his time running 27.57.

The high jump saw Xiaoyu Yang jump 6-feet 4-inches for a new school record and a first place finish. He took one jump in the triple jump landing a 40-foot 9.50-inch mark for another win. Xiaoyu ran the anchor on the 4x200 relay, which finished second. Xiaoyu topped that all off by being named MVP of the meet.

“A showman and student of the sport, Xiaoyu draws a crowd when he competes,” Coach McDonald said.

The shot put saw Tyler Wang improve by just under 2 feet.

“Tyler has worked very hard this year and the rewards are starting to come,” the coach said.

TJ Rose was fifth in both the 800m and the two-mile.

“TJ has to decide which events he wants at States as he is qualified in a number of events,” McDonald added.

The 800m also saw Cole LeBlond run a personal best of 2:46.70, while the long jump saw Liuke Yang with the win and Donovan Brown taking third.

“Liuke had a best of 19-feet 5-inches and should be in the hunt at States (Feb. 16 at Bates College starting at 10 a.m.). He also would love to crack the 20-foot barrier,” the coach said.