In November of 1998 I traveled to Derryfield Park in Manchester, New 

Hampshire to watch the New England Cross Country Championships with my 

Mom.  My parents had promised me that we could make the 90-minute 

drive to watch the race months in advance and even when an extended 

family event became a conflict my Mom kept her promise.  My 

grandparents may have been upset but I was going to watch one of my 

idols at the time, Louis Luchini. Louis was set to race against the 

best New England had to offer.  1998 was the first year that Maine 

athletes were allowed to participate in the New England Championships 

in 20 years so there was a buzz around the event.  Much to my delight 

Louis won the race and a month later finished 2nd at the Footlocker 

National Championships.

That November afternoon in 1998 was the day that I decided I was going 

to win a New England Championship.  I wanted to be just like Louis.  I 

never achieved that goal but in the 10 years since that race, running 

has been the center of my life.  With all the temptations that face 

high school kids today it is important to have something to focus 

their attention on.  Running was that outlet for me.  I saw that many 

opportunities would present themselves if I continued to improve not 

only in running but also in the classroom.  Running kept me from 

getting in trouble in high school and I have learned so much that will 

continue to help me in life.

The New England Championships offer athletes in Maine the opportunity 

to race a higher level of competition as well as take part in one of 

the oldest and most illustrious meets in the country.  For many 

athletes qualifying or traveling to national competitions is not 

realistic, thus the New England Championships are a great 

alternative.  Athletes can have success at a higher level than what is 

available in Maine without traveling far.  In Cross Country New 

England’s can be used as a celebration for a long season or as a 

stepping-stone for the Footlocker Regional meet.  Indoor track gives 

Maine athletes the chance to race on banked track, as compared to the 

flat tracks of USM, Bates, and Bowdoin.  Banked tracks are much faster 

than flat tracks and Maine athletes get the chance to showcase their 

skills on a fast track with great competition.  The Outdoor track 

season is so short that any late season meet gives an athlete a great 

shot at running, jumping, or throwing a new pr.  Warm weather is 

essential for a track meet with great performances and the climate in 

June in any of the New England states is tough to beat.

As someone that benefited greatly from competing at the New England 

Championships I am asking the MPA to continue to allow Maine athletes 

to compete.  New England’s is the highest level that a Maine athlete 

can represent his or her school and I believe it would be a shame to 

take that away.  There have been too many people who have enjoyed and 

grown from their experiences at New England meets to take that 

privilege away from future student athletes.  Please let the 

individual schools and athletes be the ones that decide whether or not 

they would like to compete, do not take the option away altogether.

Brandon Bonsey

Captain Georgetown Track and Cross Country