A look back at the top sports stories of 2012

The Houlton Pioneer Times is doing a replay on sports achievements over the last year. Lots of hard work and emotions go into every endeavor made by a student-athlete.
  July — The Houlton 9-10-year-old Little League All-Stars demonstrated a potent offense in two of their District 3 Little League tournament games in Hampden. The Houlton All-Stars were 2-1 with wins over Orrington/Veazie and Lincoln, with their loss coming to the Hampden/Newburgh squad. Playing for the team were Alex Wilde, Cameron Callnan, David Tucker, Jr., Deven Campbell, Jaron Gentle, Jason Collett, Keegan Gentle, Logan Tribou, Nathan Tuttle, Noah Reynolds, Sam Drew and Will Austin.
The 18th annual SW Collins Road Race took place June 24 with a record breaking 111 athlete participating. Renee Gorneault earned top honors overall with a time of 45:32.
More than 100 boys and girls from Aroostook County battled rainy conditions on June 26 to compete in the State Finals of the Hershey Youth Track and Field Program, but when the meet ended, the local delegation captured 118 of the 159 top-four place finishes.
The American Lung Association held its 27th annual Trek Across Maine. Participating in this 180-mile bicycle trip from Bethel to Belfast were Morgan Gustin and her father Randy Gustin of Merrill.
Houlton-Hodgdon Black Hawk goalie Payton Porter was chosen to attend the USA Hockey National Development Camp in Rochester, N.Y. July 14-20.
The Houlton 9-10-year-old all-star baseball team ended its tournament run with a heartbreaking 8-7 loss to Old Town.
Nine grade 7-8 East Grand students, who successfully completed educational goals, were rewarded with a St. Croix River canoe day trip from Vanceboro to Little Falls.
The Houlton Little League softball all-stars were the runners-up in the double-elimination District 3 Little League Tournament held in Hermon. In the finals, Houlton lost for the second time to Hermon, 7-1.
Daphne Hegreness, daughter of Bruce and Melodee Williams of Hodgdon, qualified for the 2012 U.S. Paralympics Athletics Trials for the 100- and 200-meter dashes held at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. She earned a bronze at the trials.
Nick Hagan, son of Dennis and Billie Jo Hagan of Houlton, left on a flight to Italy with his father, as part of the ACIS (American Council for International Studies) and America’s Team, to tour the country and learn its culture, while playing baseball.
A former Presque Isle High School standout athlete and New Limerick resident was inducted posthumously into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.     Wayne Hartford, a 1961 graduate who was inducted into the inaugural class of PIHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, struck out an average of 13 batters per game his senior year and compiled a career record of 19-2 and an earned run average of 2.21. He went on to star at Husson College and is also a member of its Hall of Fame.
August — A rather hot and muggy August Saturday morning greeted the nearly 80 participants in the 20th annual Island Falls Summerfest 5K run/4K walk. Known as  the ‘Pie Run,’ all winners received their choice of homemade pies or other delectable desserts. And, for the first time in the history of the race, a female was first overall! Congratulations to Sharon Hathaway as her time of 19:45 was 18 seconds faster than Larry Hodge, who was first for the men.
The County Open winners were: Men’s A division, the first gross winner was Evan McCarthy, with the first net winner, Warren Walker; Men’s B division, overall gross was won by Ryan Dee, with Chuck Moody taking the overall net; Men’s C division winner was Dewey DeWitt, with Jerry Tweedie coming in as the first net winner. First gross in the Women’s division was scored by Lou Ann Dwyer, with first net going to Bev Osborn.
Scot Walker, Steve Merry, Nick Cullen and Evan McCarthy were the first gross winners of The County Open scramble, along with the first net team of Steve Walker, Parker Walker, Bill Hollis and Diana Tucker.
The team of Curt Anderson, Steve Clark, Marty Bouchard and Mike Cote, were the low gross champions for the 2012 Maine Basketball Hall of Fame Golf scramble held Aug. 3 at Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fairfield.
Eighty runners and 11 relay teams turned out to participate in The County Open half-marathon held Aug. 11 in Island Falls. P.J. Gorneault of Caribou was the first runner across the finish line with a time of 1:12:23, for the first-place prize of $200. Hathaway of Island Falls was the first female to finish the race, winning the $200, with a time of 1:33:23.
The scoreboard at Houlton High School’s soccer field was dedicated to the memory of Dan Tracy, a 1980 Houlton High School graduate, who was a successful community and business leader and was active in the Houlton sports boosters. He was particularly supportive of the school’s soccer program. Tracy’s widow, Karen, and daughter Mikaelah, who plays on the girls soccer team, came forward to receive flowers.
A field of 31 walkers and runners took part in the annual Maliseet 4-Miler.The top finishers in the run were Chris Rines (24 minutes, 25 seconds) of Houlton and Angela Ewings (30:29) of Littleton. For the 3-mile walk, the top two finishers were Brenda Tree (41:22) of Fredericton N.B.; and Brenda Commander (41:23) of Houlton.
The 13th annual Show ‘n Shine was hosted by the North Country Cruisers Aug. 25-26 at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton. There were 200 cars registered, along with the North Country Cruisers’ vehicles and the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum’s vintage tractor collection and some late arrivals boosted the overall number to around 250 units on display.
September — The annual Caribou Labor Day 8K Road Race took place with 54 participating. Caribou’s P.J. Gorneault and Marie Beckum claimed the individual titles. Gorneault fashioned a winning time of 25 minutes and 55 seconds, while Beckum was the women’s champion and took 15th place overall in 34:08. There were two walkers participating. Stephanie Plourde and Kim Ezzy, both of Caribou, crossed the line in identical times of 43:51.
Seth Powers was named a new Game Warden patrolling the Patten area.
Erica (McGary) Tweedie (Class of 2004) was named to the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Athletic Hall of Fame, along with Shawn Windle (Class of 1996) and Larry Worcester (Class of 1988). Tweedie finished a brilliant basketball career with the Owls as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,256 points.
New coaches were hired to lead Houlton and Hodgdon golf teams. Mike Fleming takes over the Hodgdon program from Dave Grant, who moved on to coach the Houlton varsity golf program.
The Katahdin Lady Cougars soccer team was back under new head coach Lisa Timberlake. The Lady Cougars had been without a girls program for two years.
Individuals qualifying for States, with their school included in parenthesis, were: Robbie Watson (FF), 75; Meghan Flannigan (L/MSSM), 77; Noah Bernard (FF), 78; Chris Wallace, (Hod), 80; Mark Corella (Ash), 80; Mark Chasse (Ash), 89; and Parker Walker (SA), 89. Qualifying for the girls state event were Flannigan, Ashley Wallace (Hod), 101; and Jordann Coiley (FF), 105.
Moving on to the state soccer competition after finishing in first place or as a runner-up were: Age 7 and younger — Boys, 1, Kohl Skehan; and 2, Adam Fournier; Girls, 1, Kalie Bither; and 2, Sophie Lorom; ages 8-9 — Boys, 1, Alex Carmichael; and 2, Austin Winslow; Girls, 1, Kallie Neureuther; and 2, Eden Davis; ages 10-11 — Boys, 1, Cole Winslow; and 2, Nolan Porter; Girls, 1, Sydney Lorom; and 2, Kyliegh Tyler; ages 12-13 — Boys, 1, Jake Worthley; and 2, Colby Callnan: and Girls, 1, Carolyn Mooers; and 2, Rebecca Mooers.
Gwen Jones of Houlton ran a 5K race called “KAT-Walk & Karo-5K” for brain aneurysm awareness.
October — The Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honors added four members representing Aroostook County during an Oct. 7 banquet at the Alfond Boys and Girls Club in Waterville. These individuals are being recognized for their extraordinary commitment and work behind the scenes in helping students both academically and athletically. The 2012 class includes Woodrow “Woodie” Dunphy of Linneus, Charles “Charlie” Lockhart of Fort Fairfield, David Maxcy of Mapleton and Ralph Sweetser of Presque Isle. Both Lockhart and Sweetser will be inducted posthumously.
The Greater Houlton Christian Academy varsity cross-country runners competed in the Festival of Champions in Belfast. Team members were Nick Lunn, a senior at Hodgdon; Alex Angotti, Josh Winslow, Russell Socoby, as well as Lauren Robertson Sara Hemingway, Olivia Lord and Rachel Potter.
Houlton High School golfers were named the Class C state runner-up champions at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro. St. Dominic’s performance of 319 took the Class C title, with the Shiretowners coming in second with a score of 342. Winthrop was third with a 351; George Stevens Academy, 355 and Deer Isle-Stonington, 356. Houlton had won the Class C championship in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
The high school Aroostook League Selection Meet was hosted by Greater Houlton Christian Academy in Houlton at Community Park. Carsyn Koch of Washburn and Lucas Kinney of Caribou captured overall titles.
Daniel Streinz and Hanna Streinz were the top two finishers, respectively, in the first-ever Riverfront Park road race.
David Goodrich of Houlton completed his 50th marathon in MDI.
Houlton and Hodgdon golfers competed in the state high school individual golf meet at Natanis Golf club in Vassalboro. Houlton’s Cole McLaughlin was 12th with a score of 83, followed in 14th by Cameron J. Clark with an 84 and Alex Donovan finished 24th with an 88. Hodgdon’s Chris Wallace placed 24th with a score of 91. On the girls’ side, Hodgdon’s Ashley Wallace tallied a score of 111 for a 28th place finish, while Houlton’s Lexi Emerson carded a 121 to finish in 33rd.
Winners moving on to the Maine Elks State competition Oct. 21 in Augusta were Eva Callioras, Presque Isle, winner girls 8-9; Kohl Skehan, Houlton, winner boys under 8; Kalie Bither, Houlton, winner girls under 8; Sydney Lorom, Houlton, winner girls 10-11; Alex Carmichael, Houlton, winner boys 8-9; Theo Strid, Presque Isle, winner boys 10-11, Jason Dumais, Presque Isle, winner boys 12-13; and Carolyn Mooers, Houlton, winner girls 12-13;
The Greater Houlton Christian Academy cross-country team, along with independent Hodgdon runner Nick Lunn, competed in the Eastern Maine Regional Meet in Belfast. Lunn rounded out the top-10 positions with a time of 19:31.06, while GHCA boys to finish the 3.1-mile course were Russell Socoby in 44th with a time of 22.48.40; Alex Angotti was 65th with a time of 25:25.88 and Josh Winslow finished at 27:58.86.
For the girls, Destinee Neureuther finished in the top 15 with a time of 24:48.14, with Robertson in 27th-place finish in a time of 26:11.19. Capping off the GHCA girls’ times were Olivia Lord, 46th, 29:34.89; and Rachel Potter, 63rd, 48:47.98.
The Shires overtook Orono in the regional soccer game, 2-0; and came from behind to claim a 2-1 (Bouchard assist Brandon Ward, Fitzpatrick assist Bouchard) win over Madawaska in the semifinals and topped George Stevens Academy, 2-0 (Fitzpatrick , assist Barrett Dunn and Bouchard assist by Dan Howe) in the quarterfinals.
In the Southern Aroostook Warriors’ preliminary game against Wisdom, Trent Cullinan scored both goals for Southern Aroostook in their win, including the game-winner in overtime. The Warriors advanced to the Class D semifinals in Ashland with a 2-1 victory and lost to the Hornets, 4-2.
The No. 3 Houlton Lady Shires were defeated 2-1 by the No. 6 visiting Calais Blue Devils in quarterfinal action after two scoreless overtime periods and two sets of  penalty kicks.
The No. 9 East Grand Lady Vikings traveled to East Millinocket to face No. 8 Schenck in the Eastern Maine Class D preliminaries, with Schenck winning 4-3.
November — The No. 4 Houlton Shiretowners defeated the Hall-Dale Bulldogs 2-0 (Fitzpatrick, assist Bouchard; Isaac Cone assist Fitzpatrick) at Scarborough High School to bring home the first-ever gold soccer ball in the boy’s program.
Two of Maine’s most outstanding high school seniors were honored with distinguished recognition as state winners of the 2012 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Carla Halvorson of Easton High School and Nicholas Lunn of Hodgdon High School received the national award that celebrates their hard work, dedication and exceptional records in athletics, academics and community leadership.
The Houlton High School Football Shires (6-1) completed their inaugural season.
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, a senior at Houlton High School, was chosen as one of the Butch Shaw Award winners for soccer. The Northern Maine Board of Approved Soccer Officials have announced the 2012 winners of the annual Butch Shaw Award presented annually to outstanding soccer players in Aroostook County.
Cheerleaders were making a return to both Katahdin and Southern Aroostook schools this winter. The RSU 50 school board learned of the matter during a school board meeting held at Southern Aroostook Community School. According to RSU 50 Superintendent Larry Malone, about 16 students (eight in each of the two schools) have expressed a desire to cheer this winter at basketball games.
East Grand Athletic Director Chris Young has announced that the varsity girls basketball team will have a new coach this season, as Mike Carlos was approved by the SAD 14 board. Carlos had previously coached the Washburn girls to consecutive Class D state titles. Carlos coached the Washburn girls’ program for three years and in his last two years, the Lady Beavers amassed an impressive 41-3 record, and they were the No. 1 seed for the Eastern Maine Class D girls tournament both years.
Cliff Urquhart took over the reins of the Katahdin Cougars boys basketball team. Dale Fiske, who had moved from the girls program to the school’s boys program, faced an illness early in 2011 and Urquhart joined the coaching staff to help.
Jimmy Fitzpatrick of Houlton was recognized as the PVC Player of the Year for Class C boys soccer. He also was named All-Conference First Team, along with Kyle Bouchard. Kole Buzzeo of Houlton was selected as All-Conference Second Team, as well as Brandon Ward. Houlton’s Dan Swallow was All-Conference Third Team.
Megan Merry of Katahdin High School was named All-Conference First Team for Class D girls soccer, with teammate Morgan Livezey picking up an Honorable Mention. Joining the All-Conference First Team boys Class D soccer were Katahdin players Sam Vetter and Lucas Anderson.
Garnering PVC All-Academic honors were: Katahdin’s Anderson; Houlton’s Cameron, Rebekah Holmes, Fitzpatrick and Ethan Morse.
December — The Southern Aroostook Warriors boys varsity basketball program had a new coach, who has vast knowledge of the game. Bill McAvoy is back on the sidelines. McAvoy has coached at Mars Hill and Katahdin and now will take the reins of the Warriors. He has been retired from the game for five years.
The Katahdin girls varsity basketball program would be coached by Jona (Scovill) Fitzpatrick this season. Fitzpatrick served as assistant coach to Heather Lyons a year ago.
Aroostook Musterds Running Club held its annual awards ceremony with recognition going to Marie Beckum, overall female race series winner, followed by Nicole Green and Kimberly Wright. PJ Gorneault earned the overall male race series title, with Evan Graves and Chris Rines in second and third, respectively.
Hodgdon High School remembered Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson, who was killed in Afghanistan, with the retirement of his old basketball jersey No. 33.
Travis Milton was hired as the new boys varsity basketball coach at Greater Houlton Christian Academy.