Here’s a look back at highlights of our sports stories from the second half of 2024.
July
The San Francisco Chronicle and women’s baseball group Baseball for All reported that Ghazaleh “Oz” Sailors, a standout baseball player while at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, had died. Sailors had not died and reporters spoke with her. After leaving UMPI she had a distinguished career both nationally and internationally and advocated strongly for women in baseball. The Chronicle and Baseball for All issued apologies.
A UTR tennis tournament held at Caribou High School had doubles champions Abe Bouchard and Ben Bouchard of Caribou defeating Josiah Bloom of Waterville and Ian Doughty of Union. Alice Korzekwa of Presque Isle and Sage Dubay of Caribou made it to the semifinals, but lost to their opponents from University of Maine at Orono.
August
Washburn District High School announced its inaugural Hall of Fame inductees. They included: the 1985 girls basketball team; teacher, administrator and athletic director Ron Ericson; former administrator and athletic director Camille “Doc” Albert; 2014 graduates Carsyn Koch and Carmen Bragg; 2015 graduates Mackenzie Worcester and Joan Overman; 1986 graduates Dawn Oldmixon and Kim Richardson; 1990 graduate Meredith Hews; 2005 graduate Jason Thompson; 1997 graduate Trent Cunningham; 2013 graduate Mitchell Worcester; and 1987 graduate Greg Sponberg.
The 22nd Mars Hill Golf Tournament was held on August 10–11 with about 70 players. The winner of the tournament was Brandon Dimick from Bridgewater and a member of the Mars Hill Country Club. The first runner-up was Steve Clark from Caribou.
James “Chico” Hernandez of Washburn, 70, traveled to Nebraska and was one of more than 600 athletes from 27 states who competed at the Nebraska State Senior Games Powerlifting and Track and Field Championships. He took three gold medals in his division in the squat, bench press and dead lift.
September
Nearly 70 athletes turned out for the Aroostook County Special Olympics soccer skills competition at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. A crowd of volunteers and supporters cheered on participants from all over The County. This year marked the 25th year of the local event and the first time it was offered since the pandemic.
Three youths representing Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 advanced to the Maine Elks Association’s State Soccer Shoot after winning in their respective age divisions at the Northern District Soccer Shoot in Bangor. They were Kooper Griffeth, daughter of Billi Griffeth and Joel Griffeth of Mapleton; Oakley Stetson, son of Rachel Stetson and Spencer Stetson of Mars Hill; and Aaron Cloukey, son of Shawn Cunningham and AJ Cloukey of Presque Isle.
October
Fort Fairfield High School’s Michael Bruce won the State C Golf Championship with a five-over-par 77, two shots better than Spruce Mountain of Jay’s Alex Grimaldi. The win was a high point especially since the 2023 championship eluded him when he hit the water three times.
MMG Insurance’s 31st annual Charity Golf Tournament raised a record $46,670 for the United Way of Aroostook, the largest donation to the nonprofit in the tournament’s history. Over the years, the Presque Isle insurance company’s event has raised more than $720,000 for the United Way.
November
The Aroostook League announced its 2024-2025 all-star athletes.
The County learned that the Nordic Heritage Outdoor Center of Presque Isle, a longtime fixture in Aroostook County’s sporting world, would close in December. Owners the Libra Foundation of Portland and Pineland Farms of New Gloucester, announced the impending closure of the 750-acre complex, which included ski, bike and hiking trails, a biathlon venue and a lodge. The center closed on Dec. 1.
December
Six youths emerged from a field of 46 competitors to advance in the Elks Hoop Shoot foul shooting competition in Presque Isle, sponsored by Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954. Winners included: girls 8-9, Isabella Edgecomb of Limestone; boys 8-9, Nick Hopkins of Easton; girls 10-11, Evangeline Chalou of Easton; boys 10-11, Aaron Cloukey of Presque Isle; girls 12-13, Annalise Griffeth of Caribou; and boys 12-13, Jackson Brooks-Buck of Presque Isle.
