At the Maine State Meet, the second-longest running meet in the United States, the Bowdoin Men's Track Team hoped to make some history of its own.
While the men competed valiantly, they finished a disappointing second place behind host Bates College on Saturday in Lewiston.
The men were led by several outstanding performances. Senior James Wilkins won his eighth straight Maine State Meet Championship in the high jump, winning at a height of 6'8." Wilkins ended his career without losing a state meet, and this year he dominated the competition just as much as he has in past years.
The men also picked up a win in the javelin, an event that has become a sudden strength thanks to the contributions of several Bowdoin football stars. Tom Duffy '07 won the event with a toss of 179'2," besting the second-place finisher by more than ten feet.
The 1500-meter was the most exciting race of the day for the men. All-American Andrew Combs '06 and sensation Owen "O-Mac" McKenna '07 brutally double teamed Bates junior Joel Anderson over the final 200 meters, each blowing away the competition with blistering finishes. Combs placed first (4:01.2) and McKenna finished second (4:01.7). Later, Combs would finish second in the 800-meter (1:58.67) while McKenna would finish fourth (1.59.04).
Greydon Foil '05, however, had the most impressive individual performance of the meet. Foil won the 400-meter hurdles in a meet-record time of 54.78. Nobody was within three seconds of the dashingly handsome young man from Santa Barbara.
Shortly thereafter, Foil put the men in the lead for good in the 4x400-meter relay, which he won in a time of 3:21.82 with seniors Brian Laurits, Steve Franklin, and Phil Webster.
For his outstanding performances in these two races, Foil was nominated for the Outstanding Male Runner of the Meet award. For some inexplicable reason or reasons, he fell short in the voting, despite classmate Dan Hall's impassioned plea for a recount.
Two Polar Bears also deserve to be commended for scoring huge points by competing extremely well in multiple events. Tim Mathien '04 continued his incredible season by placing second in the 100-meter hurdles (16.19), second in the 400-meter hurdles (57.36), fourth in the high jump (5'10"), and sixth in the triple jump (39'1").
Following in his footsteps was Chris Wagner '04, who placed second in the discus (135'05") and second in the shot put (46'04.75").
The men endured a tough loss to Bates but have not broken stride. The unified Bowdoin squad is ready to attack its next challenge. The team departs for Hartford, Connecticut, on Friday to compete in the NESCAC championships. With pride on the line and Bowdoin picking up steam, it promises to be an outstanding meet for the team.