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Brown keeps it fun as success comes her way

By DEIRDRE FLEMING, Staff Writer Saturday, July 7, 2012

Bethanie Brown of Waterville made a huge leap as a junior, going to the New Balance national indoor and outdoor track championships. And chances are good her success and progress will continue as a senior, because she viewed the entire experience as fun.

“I get nervous. But at nationals I like knowing there will be five to 10 more girls running right with me. It definitely gives you some nerves but I go into it thinking, ‘It’s fun. I’m from Maine. And now I get to go to this cool meet and run against some really fast girls from other states.’ That takes the pressure off,” Brown said.

In the New England high school championships, Brown came from behind to win the 1,600 meters, then enjoyed a runaway victory in the 3,200.

Brown is the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram top performer for girls’ outdoor track and field.

Brown was a strong candidate for athlete of the year in indoor track after victories in the 800, mile and 2-mile at the state meet. Outdoors, she won the 1,600 with a state-record time of 4:55.23 and the 3,200 with a state-record time of 10:34.79.

Brown runs events the same way she views track: with a curiosity, maturity and intensity.

Her double win at the New England meet was nothing she imagined. She just took it one event at a time, and when she found herself taking the lead in the 1,600, she just went for it despite the fact she had another race to run.

“I thought about saving myself for the 2-mile, but then I found myself with good competition and thought I could (run a personal-best time) with all these girls running around me. I ended up getting the win,” Brown said. “I never got to run the 2-mile fresh. I’d like to try that sometime.”

After the New England meet, Brown went to the New Balance outdoor nationals in Greensboro, N.C., where she was seventh in the 5,000 meters (17:11.14), a seldom-run race in high school. She chose the event after placing fourth at the New Balance national indoor meet in the 2-mile (9:49.98).

Brown stood a better chance to finish in the top six in the 2-mile outdoors but wanted to try an event she’ll run in college.

“An athlete like her comes along once in a lifetime,” said Waterville Coach Ian Wilson.

Brown already is considering running for a Division I school. But the outdoor track Gatorade athlete of the year, who has a 4.1 grade-point average, said she may consider Division III programs.

“I’m trying to pick my college based on a good healthy track program,” Brown said.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com

Twitter: Flemingpph

TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM

Corinn Bedell, Fryeburg Academy senior, sprints
Won the 400 meters (58.53) at the Class B state meet and placed fifth at the New England championships (57.92).

Bethanie Brown, Waterville junior, distance
Won both the 1,600 (4:50.39) and 3,200 (10:31.19) at the New England championships. She also won the 1,600 (4:55.23) and 3,200 (10:34.79) at the Class B state meet, setting records in each.

Abby Dunn, Edward Little senior, racewalk
Took fifth in the 10,000-meter racewalk (59:04.19) at the USA Junior Championships in Bloomington, Ind., to earn All-America honors. Dunn also won the racewalk (7:21.71) at the Class A state meet.

Lindsay Folsom, Cony senior, pole vault
Won the pole vault at the Class A state meet (11-0) and finished seventh (10-9) at the New England meet.

Kaitlin Flanders, Edward Little senior, racewalk
Took fourth in the 10,000-meter racewalk (58:04.21) at the USA Junior championships in Bloomington, Ind., to earn All-America honors and was the runner-up in the racewalk (7:33.92) at the Class A state meet.

Tiffany Gray, Bangor sophomore, jumps
Won the long jump (16-111â „4) and triple jump (36-0) at the Class A state meet.

Kate Hall, Lake Region freshman, sprints/jumps
Won the 100 (12.33), 200 (26.12) and long jump (17-11â „2) at the Class B state meet, and broke the Class B record in the 100. Hall also was third in the 100 (12:20) at the New England championships.

Teal Jackson, Brewer junior, sprints
Won the 400 (58.42) and took second in the 200 (26.01) at the Class A state meet, then finished sixth at the New England championships (57.93).

Nicole Kirk, Scarborough senior, sprints
Double-winner at the Class A state meet, in the 200 (25.80) and 100, where she broke her own state record with a time of 12.25.

Abbey Leonardi, Kennebunk senior, distance
Won the 3,200 (10:45.49) and 1,600 (4:56.87) at the Class A state meet.

Erzsebet Nagy, Lawrence junior, middle distance
Won the 800 (2:16.69) and placed second in the 1,600 (4:57.66) at the Class A state meet, then placed sixth at the New England championships in the 800 (2:13.50) with the fastest time ever by a Maine schoolgirl.

Sarah Perkins, Gorham senior, hurdles/sprints
Won the 100 hurdles (15.02) and 300 hurdles (45.43) at the Class A state meet, then placed second in the 300 hurdles (44.41) and sixth in the 100 hurdles (14.80) at the New England championships.

Coach of the Year

Ron Kelly, Scarborough
The Class A state title came down to the rain-delayed pole vault, and Kelly´s two top vaulters provided the Red Storm with enough points to win their second title in four years, and 10th in Kelly´s 40 years of coaching.