Olympic medalist visits Waterville swim club

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

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)

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

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

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)

TEAM PHOTO: Waterville Majors Baseball Team

Front row, from left to right, Gabe Staffiere, Wyatt Chapman, Cooper McKenna, Avery McKenna, Pheonix McLoy, Kobe Garay, Abel Zinkovitch. Coaches, CJ McKenna, Matt Vaughan, Victor Garay, Back, Alexander Wild, Jace Spaulding, Tatum Vaughan, Alex Sheehan, Salvatore Isgro, Landon Beck. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

Huard’s Martial Arts hosts the 43rd Battle of Maine

Photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography

Huard’s Martial Arts hosted the 43rd Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships at Champions Fitness Club, in Waterville, on Saturday, March 22. Just over 350 competitors and close to 1,000 spectators attended this special martial arts event from all around Maine and New England. Special guest performers came from various parts of the United States to give demonstrations to kickoff the tournament. $1 of each admission went to help support the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

Everly Hanson, 7, of Clinton, walking off the competition area after placing first in point fighting at the Battle of Maine, on March 22. (photo by Dawn Jaques, Central Maine Photography)

Huard’s Sport Karate Team member Kate Shores, 13, of Benton, with her medals from the 43rd Battle of Maine. She captured first place in all three divisions. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

Maine Moose 12U Tier II team wins state championship (2025)

Maine Moose 12U Tier II team wins state championship The Maine Moose 12U Tier II hockey team has been crowned the 2024-2025 Maine Amateur Hockey Association State Champions after an outstanding performance in the state tournament. The team showcased skill, determination, and teamwork, securing the title with a thrilling final victory. The Moose will now move on and represent Maine in the New England Regionals starting Friday, March 14.

State Championship Roster:

Goaltenders:

• #1 – Isak Harrington
• #48 – Gabe Loubier

Defensemen:

• #8 – Reagan Gendron
• #21 – Parker Boucher
• #27 – Lincoln Fogg
• #52 – Easton Gradie
• #87 – Austin Roderick
• #97 – Greyson Arnold

Forwards:

• #2 – Brendan Greer
• #4 – Eli Bilodeau
• #10 – Campbell McCarthy
• #22 – Bryson Johnson
• #24 – Bryson Nichols
• #63 – Isaac Turner
• #76 – Malcolm Campbell
• #82 – Landon Ward
• #88 – Wesley McPherson
• #89 – Ezra Orlandello

Coaching Staff:

• Head Coach: Brian Boucher
• Assistant Coach: Brian McCarthy

TEAM PHOTO: 2025 SVAC champions

The Vassalboro Community School girls basketball team rolled through an undefeated season to claim the Sheepscot Valley Athletic Conference championship for 2025. (contributed photo)

PHOTO: Champions

Messalonskee boys grades 3/4 travel team won an absolute thriller on Sunday. Playing Corinna in the championship game, the Eagles went to sudden death overtime. After four consecutive jump balls to start the overtime Parker Taylor went to the foul line to shoot two! After sinking the first shot the Eagles claimed the CMBC 3/4 boys championship! Front row, from left to. right, Jamison Bouchard, Parker Marquis, and Colston Partridge. Second row, Tucker Reynolds, Liam Luther, Caleb Levesque, and Cole Chavarie. Third row, Colten Holmes, Kellum Corbett, Parker Taylor, Aulden Dorsey, and Jackson McLaughlin. Back, Coach Dorsey, Coach McLaughlin, and Coach Taylor. Absent from photo is Revan Gurney and Colton Curtis. (photo by Mark Huard)