TEAM PHOTOS: Waterville youth football (2025)

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Waterville Grades 3-4 youth football

Front row, from left to right, Mason Jimenez, Kholton Friend, Jayce Pagliaro-Heath, Dawson Mansfield, Jamison Bean, Asher Mansfield, Griffin Gilley and Craig Preo. Second row, Nathan Withee, Jaxon Coulombe-Davenport, Cameron Ray, Landon Nalley, T.J. Wooten, Isaiah Nelson, Trey Soucy, Liam Soucie, and Jack Gilley. Back, Coach Nate Withee, Matt Gilley. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography staff)

Waterville Grades 5-6 youth football

Front row, from left to right, Brody Ware, Wyatt Nalley-Dickey, Luna Withee, Jayden Bradley, Cole Bean, and Kayson Glidden. Second row, Owen Stevens, Jayceon Turbide, Nyeim Warren, Attikus Gagnon, Mason Sheets, and Maeson Colon. Third row, Isaac Chase, Luna Lagassie, Abby Sanford, Jaxon Troxell, Quncy Brittingham, Tristan Ware, Isaac Cooley. Back row, Coaches Langston Ware, Sulley Menz, Jamil Brittingham, Jon Turbide, Noah Patnaude and Nate Withee. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography staff)

TEAM PHOTO: Winslow U-9 travel soccer

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Center, Levi Burgess. Front, from left to right, Zachery Brouillet, Abraham Jones, Steven Hodgdon III, Claire Justard, Barrett Brochu, Paige Theobald, Alice Morrison, Lincoln Nadeau, and Carter Audet. Second row, Colton Souviney, Oliver Sales, Conor McInnis, Lincoln Thibodeau. Back, coaches, Rachel McInnis, Charles Theobald and Ashley Holman Dupuis. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

TEAM PHOTO: Senior football camp

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The 2025 annual PAL Senior Football Camp (July 29-31), was held at the Lawrence High School, and led by Lawrence varsity Coach John Hersom and his high school football players. It was organized by PAL football director, Nick Nadeau. Photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography staff

PHOTOS: Winslow summer track and field

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Photos by Galen Neal / Central Maine Photography

Andrew Smith

Kylie Wolfe

Lillian Warren

Barrett Brochu

Lane Poulin

Taylor Peterson

Ronin Mansfield

Palermo’s Riley Reitchel earns All-American status at nationals

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Riley Reitchel

University of Southern Maine Junior Riley Reitchel, of Palermo, a graduate of Erskine Acedemy, in South China, earned All-American honors at the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, in Geneva, Ohio. Reitchel placed fourth in the javelin to earn First Team All-American status.

Reitchel recorded a throw of 41.23m to place fourth. The distance came on her second throw of the day. Reitchel, who placed 22nd at the 2023 National Championship meet as a freshman, is the fourth athlete in program history to earn All-American honors in the javelin.

CAREER RESULTS

2025: Earned First Team All-American honors by placing fourth in the javelin at the NCAA DIII National Championships with a throw of 41.32m* … LEC champion in the javelin with a distance of 41.48m … DIII New England champion in the javelin with a mark of 41.09m … Placed second in the pole vault at the LEC championships with a height of 2.95m … Member of a 4×100 relay team that placed third at the LEC Championships … Earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors in the javelin.

2024: Com­peted in three meets … Set a season-best mark of 3.10m to tie for third in the pole vault at the Coast Guard Spring Invite … Had a season-best javelin throw to 36.95m to place fifth at the SNHU Penmen Relays … Named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.

2023: Placed 22nd in the javelin at the NCAA Division III Track & Field National Championships with a throw of 32.97m … Named the LEC Field Rookie of the Year after winning the javelin at the conference championships with a throw of 38.52m … Placed third in the pole vault (2.95m) and eighth in the 200m (27.90) at the LEC Championships … Placed second in the javelin at the DIII New England Championships at 38.52m … Won the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a throw of 45.49m that ranks as the second-best in program history … Earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors in the javelin.

Indoor Season Awards and Honors: 2024 LEC champion in the pole vault … Member of a 4×200 relay team that placed second at the 2024 LEC Championships … Member of the 2023 LEC champion 4×400 relay team … Earned All-Rookie honors in the pole vault after tying for second place in 2023.

Academic Awards and Honors: Earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete honors in 2023 … Named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.

Before USM: Varsity soccer and varsity track went to state freshmen year/Rookies Award … Varsity soccer, coaches award, varsity track went to state and coaches award sophomore year … Varsity soccer, coaches award, All-state, varsity track coaches award and went to state junior year … Varsity soccer, coaches award, All-state, Senior Bowl, Varsity track, coaches award KVAC All-Academic, All-star, State champions, Eagle award senior year … KVAC All academic, Top Ten, National Board Award … Student council, Girl-up, AFS, AFS, International outreach

Personal: Majoring in Linguistics … Attended Erskine Academy, in South China, … Daughter of Richard and Daniellle Reitchel … Has one sibling, Alexander … Also a member of the USM women’s soccer team and has earned All-Region and All-LEC honors on the pitch.

* A meter is equal to 3.28 feet.

Olympic medalist visits Waterville swim club

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Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow, with Olympic Bronze Medalist Cody Miller during the recent clinic held at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

2016 Olympic bronze medalist and world champion Cody Miller signed Dolphin Swim team member Sophia Rowe’s kick board. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) hosted USA Olympic breaststroke medalist Cody Miller for a world-class Swim Clinic and Meet on July 11 – 12, 2025.

This special two-day event offered an extraordinary opportunity for competitive swimmers to train with and learn from one of America’s most accomplished and inspirational athletes.

Miller, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion, is widely recognized not only for his achievements in the pool but for his engaging personality and dedication to motivating young athletes. Participants will receive personal instruction on technique, race preparation, mental training, and more.

“Bringing Cody Miller to the AYCC is about more than just fast swimming – it’s about showing kids what’s possible. In a community like ours, opportunities like this can spark a lifelong love of the sport and help young athletes build confidence, resilience, and connection through swimming.” Says Mid-Maine Dolphins Head Coach, Matt Reed.

Mid-Maine Dolphins team member Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow said, “In meeting Cody Miller, I was nervous and I also thought he would have short hair and he did not. I got to take a picture with him and wear his gold medal. It was kind of heavy. I got to race him and I knew he would win, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. My favorite part was him signing my kick board. I learned a lot of things about my worst stroke which is the breastroke. The facts that I learned will help me go faster.”

Miller said, “I’m the lead clinician for the USA Swim Clinics, so I travel around the country and spread the joy and love of swimming that I had as a little kid to young athletes everywhere. I have a YouTube channel where I teach people how to swim better and be better. One of my viewers sent me an email and said, ‘we’d love to bring you out to Maine.’ I was like, ‘yeah, sounds like fun,’ so here I am. I just try to make it as fun as possible. Swimming, and all sports, should be fun. If they’re not having fun, they’re not going to enjoy it, and then they’re not going to remember the things that you say. When I give them a drill or something, I try to make it fun and challenging in a way that stimulates the kids. Keep it exciting, keep it fun because swimming can be monotonous (lap and lap and lap). That’s not how I do things. It should be fun,” said Miller.

Clinic Highlights:

Hands-on instruction with Olympic medalist Cody Miller

Specialized technique and performance sessions

Exclusive meet and greet, photos, and autograph session

Official AYCC Swim Meet participation

Access to a dynamic community of student-athletes from across the U.S. and abroad

This event was hosted by the AYCC’s Mid-Maine Dolphins Swim Team and took place at the AYCC’s indoor pool.

Matthew Christen making waves in the martial arts world

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Matthew Christen

by Mark Huard

A 14-year-old from Benton is making waves in the martial arts world. Matthew Christen, a dedicated student at Club Naha Karate-Do, in Waterville, has earned a spot on the World Karate Confederation (WKC) Team USA and will represent the United States at the world tournament, held in Niagara Fall,s in October.

Matthew’s dedication to the sport is evident through his impressive performances in national competitions. He had consistently excelled in the Independent Promoters and Practitioners of New England (IPPONE), the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA), and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuits, showcasing his skills and commitment to martial arts.

Most recently, Matthew competed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the AAU National Championships. He brought home a gold medal and was crowned champion in the 14-year-old black belt division.

Matthew’s inclusion in WKC Team USA is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the support he receives from his national team, KTOC, in New York City. Despite his rising success on the national stage, Matthew remains deeply connected to his roots at Club Naha. His instructor, Craig Sargent, has been instrumental in shaping his martial arts journey, emphasizing the development of character, discipline, and respect – values that Matthew holds dear.

Matthew Christen in action. (contributed photo)

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic (2025)

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First place gross team score, Quirion, Inc.: Jared Rossignol, Steve Hunt, Adam Haskell, and Brad Strout. (contributed photo)

First Place Gross Team Score (Quirion Inc.): Jared Rossignol, Steve Hunt, Adam Haskell, and Brad Stout.

First Place Net Team Score (Maine State Credit Union): Brandon Clark, Bruce Harrington, and Ryan Masse.

Second Place Gross Team Score (Skowhegan Savings): Mike Pietroski, Brian Fitzpatrick, Eric James, and Matt Nadeau.

Third Place Gross Team Score (Central Maine Motors): Lance Libby, Matt Loubier, Jason Lyford, and Shad West.

Second Place Net Team Score (Choice Wealth Advisors): Chris Markos, Eric Morin, Kris Reynolds, and Josh Karsten.

3rd Place Net Team Score (Zimba Co.): Ryan Loubier, Ethan Loubier, Ron Loubier, and Brad Fitzpatrick.

Longest Drive: Josh Kervin, Sheridan Construction.

Straightest Drive: Donna Nickerson, Bangor Savings Bank.

Closest to the Pin Hole #4: Josh Karstens, Choice Wealth Advisors.

Closest to the Pin Hole #7: Mike Pietroski, Skowhegan Savings Bank

Closest to the Pin Hole #10: Male: Brad Fitzpatrick, Zimba Co.; Female: Heather Browne, One River CPAs

Closest to the Pin Hole #13: Brian Robbins, Central Maine Power Co.

Highest Team Score: One River CPAs.

50/50 Winner: Nick Grant, Dow’s Quick Stop.

Summer Sizzler Romance Package Winner: Lindsey Cameron, Dirigo Wealth Management.

Natanis Golf Course Foursome Winner: Diana Lalime, Boulet Freight Management.

Please see the complete listing of the 36 teams and hole sponsors in our Mid-Maine Chamber Golf Classic wrap-up in the July 1 edition of our InTouch Newsletter.

First place net team scored, Maine State Credit Union: Brandon Clark, Bruce Harrington, Ryan Masse. Abxent from photo, Josh LaVerdiere. (contributed photo)

PHOTO: Third degree brown belts

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Six students from Huard’s Martial Arts Dojo, in Winslow, recently earned Third Degree Brown Belt rank levels, on Saturday May 31. Left to right, Lane Irish, Aiden Robichaud, Jude Randazza, Kayla Joseph, Elsei Dumont and Addilyne Gallagher. (photo courtesy of Mark Huard)

TEAM PHOTO: Belgrade Majors Softball Team

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Front row, from left to right, Bella Allarie, Jaidyn Gardner, Piper Levenseller, Aubrey Woodman, Emery Voll, and Brooke Kidd. Back, Ann Bedard, Izzy Hockmeyer, Izzy Castner, Eleanor Paige, Hadleigh LaChance, and Blakely Shore. Coaches, Stephanie Koetzle, Meagan Woodman, and Kayla Levenseller (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)