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| Contributed photo Paige Espling of Caribou, in front, along with Kes Lavoie of Bangor, center, and Aspen Cote of Madawaska show off their medals following the North American Finals of the Hershey Youth Track and Field Program. |
HERSHEY, PA — For five Maine youths, the Olympic torch was lit on Aug. 4 in Hershey, Pa. at the North American Finals of the Hershey Youth Track and Field Games. It marked the 35th year of the games, which were attended by 480 youngsters and nearly 70 chaperones and hosted by the Hershey Foods Corporation and the Milton Hershey School.
This year’s participants from Maine included three from Aroostook County and two from Bangor. Northern Regional Coordinator for Maine, Kathy Mazzuchelli of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, indicated that the chance of qualifying for the three-day event is about 1 in 1,000 and this is the fourth year that The County has had at least three of the five qualifiers.
In this year’s North American Finals, despite enduring a very long trip to Hershey and very hot and humid weather, all the participants medaled in their respective events. Holden Stoutamyer of Mapleton had the best finish with a fifth place in the 9-10 boys standing long jump, Stoutamyer was joined in the 9-10 year-old medal round by Paige Espling of Caribou, who captured 10th in a very competitive 9-10 girls standing long jump.
In the 13-14 year old age group, Aspen Cote of Madawaska was eighth in the standing long jump while teammate Kes Lavoie of Bangor also took eighth in the softball throw. Rounding out the field of Maine competitors was Issac Robinson of Bangor, who finished 12th in the 13-14 boys standing long jump.
Several current and past Olympic competitors began their track and field successes through participation in the Hershey program. Former Olympian Monique Henderson still holds the record for the 13-14 girls 200-meter dash with a time of 24.06.
In addition to the track meet, participants are treated to a gala opening ceremony on Aug. 2 which features track and field legends Rafer Johnson and Carl Lewis, spokesmen and ambassadors for the Hershey Track and Field Program.
On Aug. 3, participants were treated to a day at Hersheypark. Following the track meet on Aug. 4, all participants were treated to a supper at the Milton Hershey School followed by a special closing ceremony, the favorite part of which is the viewing of a video which captures the highlights of the weekend and serves as a keepsake for participants.
Mazzuchelli said that those who would like to participate in the Hershey Youth Track and Field Program should contact their local parks and recreation department.
