Scarborough's Isabella Harmon: A Day of Personal Bests

At the University of Southern Maine indoor track facility, Scarborough High senior Isabella Harmon stood alone. While most athletes had departed, she remained, relentlessly working on her pole vault, chasing a personal best.

Earlier, she had already won the high jump and secured third place in the 55-meter hurdles, both with season-best performances.

A Calm Approach to High Pressure

Harmon, a former gymnast, swimmer, and equestrian, is no stranger to high-pressure situations. With a calm and focused mindset, she attempted a longer pole for the first time this season. After missing her first attempt, she reviewed the footage, made adjustments, and cleared 11 feet on her second try—a significant improvement from her previous best and higher than any other Maine girl this winter.

Despite her success, Harmon remained humble and focused. She attempted 11-4 but decided to call it a day, satisfied with her performance.

Coach's Praise

Her coach, Conrad Bollinger, praised her grit and composure, noting that she balances her hard-charging approach with grace and poise.

A Meet for Champions

The meet was designed to provide cross-class and cross-conference competition, giving athletes like Angela Boisvert from Maine Central Institute the chance to compete against the best. Boisvert improved her hurdles PR and set a school record in the long jump, inspired by watching top performers from other schools.

Boys Mile Showdown

In the boys mile, Marshwood's Henri Rivard used an impressive last-lap kick to win the race, proving that his speed workouts were paying off. Deering's Ellis Wood also improved his time, along with third-place Ryan Bolduc and fourth-place Atticus Merriam.

The meet provided a rare opportunity for top SMAA runners to compete against each other, pushing their limits and proving their fitness.