2023 USM New Year's Invite
10 Boys Athletes to Watch at the USM Invite
Aiden Lee (Gorham)
Events: Pentathlon, 55H, High Jump
Aiden will be competing throughout the day, first in the Pentathlon, later in the hurdles and the high jump, where he is a top seed.
Andre Clark (Marshwood)
Events: 55m, 200m
Clark is the top seed in the 55m and could very well win the 200m, too.
Arnaud Sioho (South Portland)
Events: Long Jump, Triple Jump
Sioho is coming of an SMAA record in the triple jump, and is also seeded 2nd in the long jump.
Billy Albertson (Skowhegan)
Events: 55m, 200m, Long Jump
Albertson is a threat to win all 3 of his events, and is top seed in the long jump.
Brendan Rogers (Cheverus)
Events: 400m, 200m, Long Jump
Rogers ran sub 50 seconds for 400m last year, and is currently 3rd in the state in the 200m so far this year.
Josia Katroli (Lewiston)
Events: 200m, High Jump
Katroli is new to Maine but not track and field, the Lewiston junior previously competed for Namibia and is one of the best high jumpers this state has ever seen.
Maddox Jordan (Noble)
Events: 800m
The Class A cross country champ is coming of a 4:20 mile down in Massachusetts a few days ago and already ran a 52.2 for 400m this year.
Max Shapiro (Falmouth)
Events: 55m, 200m
Shapiro is another athlete that could win either of the sprints if things go right for him on Saturday.
Reece Perry (Freeport)
Events: Pole Vault
Perry is almost certain to dominate the pole vault, and possibly even set some records.
Sam Laverdiere (Lake Region)
Events: Mile, 2 Mile
The Class B cross country champ is one of the only athletes doing the distance double, and he will likely be in the mix to win both events.
10 Girls Athletes to Watch at the USM Invite
Cary Drake (York)
Events: Mile, 2 Mile
Drake is seeded #1 in both distance events and rightfully so, she’s one of only 4 Maine girls in history to break 5:00 for the mile indoors.
Julia Pendleton (Bonny Eagle)
Events: Long Jump, Triple Jump
So far this season, Pendleton is by far the best in the state in the long jump, and will likely make some noise in the triple also.
Laurel Driscoll (Scarborough)
Events: Mile, 800m
Laurel had a standout freshman campaign and has started her sophomore year off with a great 2 mile at their opener.
Lauren Vanidestine (Brewer)
Events: 55m, 200m, Long Jump
Vanidestine is seeded for a top 5 finish in three different events, an impressive feat if she can pull it off.
Lily Jenkins (Portsmouth)
Events: 55m, 200m, 400m
Jenkins is one of only a couple of athletes attempting the sprint triple and is seeded in the top 7 in all of them.
Macey Weisberg (Cheverus)
Events: 55m, 200m, Long Jump
This freshman had a standout first meet of her high school career and is seeded for a top 8 finish in all 3 of her events at this meet.
Makenna Drouin (Lewiston)
Events: 55m, 55H, 200m
If we did a preseason athlete of the year, it would definitely be Drouin. Don’t be surprised if she wins all 3 of her events on Saturday.
Ruby Prentiss (Falmouth)
Events: Shot Put
Prentiss is the top seed in the shot put by about 3 and a half feet.
Samantha Moore (Portland)
Events: Mile
Moore typically runs more than one event at the big meets, but this time she is just focusing on one, so expect a big performance.
Tayla Pelletier (Windham)
Events: Pentathlon, 55H, Triple Jump
Five events wasn’t enough for the Pelletier, so she also entered two more events later on in the day. She’s probably the favorite for the Pentathlon and also should win the triple jump if she isn’t too tired at the end of her day.