Members of the Waterville CAL Ripken 11-year old team marching onto the Purnell Wrigley Field, in Waterville, on Friday, July 16. Opening Ceremonies began at 4 p.m., followed by Skills Competitions and a Home Run Derby! The 11-year-old Cal Ripken Baseball Championships was held throughout the week and was a great time for all. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)
Vincent Bricker, a member of Brownie’s Landscaping Augusta Little League team makes a one-handed catch during a recent game. (photo by Mark Huard, Centrral Maine Photography)
Augusta Little League Brownie’s Landscaping catcher Justin Veilleux receiving a pitch during a recent game. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)
The Waterville High School boys varsity tennis team recently captured the Northern Maine Tennis Championship following an undefeated season. From left to right, Athletic Director Heidi Bernier, head coach Jason Tardif, Logan Tardif, Jay Brock, Kaden Works, Owen Evans, Charlie Haberstock, Josiah Bloom, Cole Bazakas, Nick Poulin, assistant coach Jim Begin and athletic trainer Emily Staples. (photo by Jim Evans)
Members ofthe Messalonskee 10U All-Star team, in Oakland, include, front row, from left to right, Brandon Frowery and Scout Engleright. Middle row, Anthony Parisi, Owen Laplant, Bennett Pottle, Kolby Pelletier and Hunter Poulin. Back row, Kolby Bernier, Preston Ponitz, Kyle Cummings, Caven Gooding and Chase Dempsey. (contributed photo)
Huard’s Martial Arts founder Kancho Randy Huard, right, with 15-year-old student Abby Dudley, who became the youngest female to achieve black belt status at Huard’s Martial Arts. (photo by Mark Huard)
Abigail Dudley, 15, of Winslow, entered the Huard’s Martial Arts Dojo, in Winslow, for the first time at the age of four. She was already enrolled in dance lessons and her parents thought this would be a great additional activity. A goal of her parents was to raise a child that could defend herself and be independent and confident. Shortly after starting classes, Abigail started competing in Sport karate competitions on the SMART and IPPONE Tournament Circuits.
Abigail is a natural born competitor and from a very early age has taken pride in earning her awards and working hard for each level she moves up. Her parents fostered a strong work ethic and a focus on improving her technical abilities. As she got older, Abigail enjoyed the traveling. This journey eventually took her to the Krane Karate Circuit and NASKA Circuit. This took her all over New England. She loved the competition.
As she continued to compete and branch out into other tournaments, she found her drive and desire to be the best she could be. Abigail consistently strives to improve on her performance and reach her own personal bests. Through the COVID pandemic, Abigail competed in several virtual tournaments. She was able to achieve the rank of World and National Champion on these virtual circuits. This required Abigail to maintain her own motivation to practice and improve on her own . Recently she also achieved the great honor of being the youngest female to achieve a Black Belt in the 55-year history of Huard’s Martial Arts.
Abigail now joins the ranks of the black belt fellowship at her dojo. Her journey has now just begun and the training truly takes a different form. She is a role model to other young martial artists. She maintains high honors in her high school courses and conducts herself inside and out of the dojo with honor and dignity.
Abigail has worked hard to get where she is and has endless possibilities as she moves forward on her journey.
It’s a great journey being a martial artist and becoming a young black belt. And now even at a young age it’s a wonderful chance to give back to her school and the students of Huard’s Martial Arts. There is no doubt the younger disciples will look up to her.
Jon Roy, left, receives his award from PAL football director John Stewart. (contributed photo)
Director of the Fairfield PAL Football Program, John Stewart, has announced the recipients of the Award of Excellence and Scholarship for the 2020 Season to Jon Roy and Dylan Coombs. The coaches association selects two members of the senior class each year to receive this award. The criteria is as follows: dedication, loyalty, character, role models and team above self.
These two young men exhibit all of the above and were unanimous decisions to receive this year’s award. Even though they were not able to take the field this season their contributions to PAL football, Lawrence High School, and the entire community over the years were not forgotten.
Dylan Coombs, left, is presented with the Award of Excellence and Scholarship from PAL football director John Stewart. (contributed photo)
The Winslow Minors 2021 baseball team, front, Quincy Nesbitt, left, and Kallan Oakes. Middle, Caden Canavin, Cooper Grant, Rusty Vigue, Elliott Refuse and Tyler Fisher. Back row, Jace Poulin, Frank Farnham, Cameron Beaster, Kevin Hendsbee, Ben Fisher and Austin Pomerleau. (photo by Missy Brown/Central Maine Photography)
The Winslow Majors softball team members, left to right, Bill Cochran, assistant coach, Bella Loubier, Madison Cochran, Kierstyn Glidden, Cassie Chartrand, Allison Turbovsky, Callen Pooler, Emily Daigneault, John Lombard, assistant coach, Adriana Lombardi, Kelty Pooler and Kelly Daignault, head coach. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
The Vassalboro Black T-Ball team members, Front row, left to right, Mason Hardy, Ava Fiser and Madelyne Hanson, Back, Coach Justin Hardy, Lance Curtis, Abby Marden and Colton Fletcher. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
These students at Huard’s Martial Arts earned the rank of Blue Belt on April 24. From left to right, Jackson Hanson, of Clinton, Walker Johnson, of Oakland, Brody Robbins, of Skowhegan, and Trenton Clark, of Oakland. (photo by Mark Huard)