Published February 8, 2025 by Drew Bonifant, Portland Press Herald. Click here for the full article.
Arnaud Sioho sets two records, while Ashley Connolly wins three events.
GORHAM — Arnaud Sioho carried the SMAA indoor track and field championship trophy off the University of Southern Maine fieldhouse floor, surrounded by jubilant teammates shouting “MVP! MVP!” with each step.
It would be tough to argue otherwise. Sioho dazzled in his final SMAA championship, claiming three individual victories and setting a pair of conference records while leading South Portland to 152.5 points and its fourth straight title. Scarborough (149) took second, while Bonny Eagle (121) was third.
Sioho set new records in the 55-meter hurdles (7.67) and the long jump (23 feet, 3 inches), besting his own marks of 7.68 from earlier this year and 22-7.25 from last year. He finished by clinching the meet victory in the triple jump — in which he is also the record holder — with a winning leap of just over 48-8.
Photography by Kneka Smith
“It feels great. I’m part of a team, so anything I can do to help out the team is beneficial for every single one of us,” said Sioho, who overcame a hamstring injury three weeks ago that had him questioning how well he could perform. “There are nerves there, but … it’s something that I’m used to.”
South Portland coach Dave Kahill praised the depth of his team, which placed in nearly every event, but acknowledged Sioho’s effect.
“He’s just an incredible person,” said Kahill, who also had Devin Berry take first in the junior division of the 55 hurdles. “He has a great energy, obviously a talent, but he just does everything in school and in track with joy. He brings everyone else up.”