Area athletes show off skills

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Jacoby Bragdon, 7, prepares to launch a ball in the longest throw competition. (photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

Gavin O’neal, 7, connects with a pitch during a tie breaker for most hits at this year’s hit-a-thon. (photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

Bryce Doyon, right, of Waterville, gets a high five from former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, during his recent visit to Waterville at a fund raiser for the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography)

Huard’s Sport Karate team member Jackson Jandreau, 6, of Clinton captured first place in fishgint and second place in forms at the KICKS USA Nationals at Gardiner High School recently. (photo by Mark Huard)

Huard’s Sport Karate team member Issa Citro, 10, of Waterville, captured first place in fighting at the Worcester Classic on May 4, and also at the KICKS USA Nationals in Gardiner recently. (photo by Mark Huard)

Local athlete gathers more accolades

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Dylan Presby

After being presented with the prestigious male sportsmanship award at Newbury College, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Dylan Presby, of China, was recognized by being named to the Malloy All Sportsmanship team for the entire conference. The Nighthawks sophomore will transfer to LaSalle College, in Newton, Massachusetts, next season after Newbury closed at the end of the current school year. He is the son of David and Michelle Presby, of China.

Pelletier named NESCAC softball pitcher of the week

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Bates College, of Lewiston, junior Kirsten Pelletier won NESCAC Softball Pitcher of the Week honors recently from the New England Small College Athletic Conference, headquartered in Hadley, Massachusetts, after propelling the Bobcats to a 4-0 week, including a three-game series sweep of rival Colby.

Pelletier, of Sidney, threw back-to-back seven-inning shutouts on Saturday, a one-hitter and a two-hitter, as the Bobcats completed a sweep of Colby. She gave up three runs in a complete-game victory against the Mules in the series opener on Friday, and on Thursday she earned a save with three shutout innings of relief at Saint Joseph’s College, in Standish.

Cal Ripken baseball opener

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It was opening day for Cal Ripken baseball at Purnell Wrigley Field, in Waterville, on May 4, as Ken Walsh, left, and Fran Purnell greet the players. (Photos by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography)

Double winner

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Eban Barbeau. (Photo by Mark Huard)

Eban Barbeau, 8, of Winslow, captured first place in both forms and fighting at the 39th Battle of Maine held at Thomas College, in Waterville, on March 23. Eban also placed fourth in chanbara (padded weapons fighting).

Winslow’s unified basketball team enjoying season

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Winslow varsity Unified Basketball team and staff all stars. Front, left to right, Cameron Fredette and Noah Gagne. Kneeling, James Mason, Crystal St. Onge, Sage Vance, Melissa Hanley, Katie St. Amand, Grace Paradis, Jocelyn Pooler, Ashton Ervin, Jenna Rodrigue, Julianne Lapierre, Ashley Quirion and Tammy Quirion. Seated, Philip Edwards, Ronnie Mason, Savanna Vigue, Alexis Lint, Cheyenne Raymond, Lilly Harvey, Jessica Levesque, Carly Anderson, Lisa LeClair (coach) and Josh Gordon. Back, Kit Potelle (coach), Riley Loftus, Lori Loftus (coach), Gayle Martin, Darrin Wood, Joe Pfingst, Kenny Hodges, Owen Schuchardt, Tyler Tibbetts, Justice Picard, Isaac Sturtevant, Stefanie Fletcher, Ellen Stewart, Kelly Daigneault, Crystal Pomerleau, Jason Briggs, Art Meneses, Dina St. Amand, Heather Tompkins and Mike Sandoval. (Photo by Mel Gagnon)

Lori Loftus, varsity Unified Basketball coach and special education teacher at Winslow High School, is working towards becoming a Special Olympics Unified Champion School.

Winslow High School participated in a ‘Fans in the Stands’ event which filled the gym with the Winslow Community to watch Winslow schools’ staff members play basketball against the Winslow High School Varsity Unified Team. Earlier in the day, during the school’s winter carnival events, students and staff watched as the varsity girls and boys basketball teams took on the Winslow High School varsity Unified Team. The Unified team won both games.

Disappointing ending

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Skowhegan Area High School senior Mariah Dunbar takes the ball up court in the recent Class A girls basketball regional final held at the Augusta Civic Center. (Photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography)

Skowhegan Area High School senior Mariah Dunbar takes the ball up court in the recent Class A girls basketball regional final held at the Augusta Civic Center. The previously unbeaten Skowhegan Indians were defeated by the Hampden Academy Broncos, 32-28, and were eliminated from the tournament.

Lawrence boys headed to state championship game

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In photo, front row, from left to right, Dylan Coombs, Seth Pellerin, Nick Robertson, Kober Nadeau, Gavin Herrin, Adam Duprey, Jackson Dudley. Back, Coach Elon Firmage, Coach Jon Doyen, Nik Pomerleau, Dylan Martin-Hachey, Jake Patterson, Mack Huard, Zach Nickerson, Coach Jason Pellerin and Coach Tim Robinson. (Photo by Mark Huard, owner of Central Maine Photography)

The Lawrence High School Bulldogs captured the Class A North boys basketball championship on Friday, February 22, with a 47-40 victory over the Skowhegan Indians. Lawrence improved its record to 13-8, and is headed to the Class A state championship game for the first time since 1999. The game will be held Friday, March 1, at the Augusta Civic Center at 7:45 p.m. Their opponent will be Class A South champion Greely High School.

In Class A North basketball final action, Lawrence’s Jacob Patterson (22), drives to the basket around Skowhegan defenders, Marcus Christopher, left, and Jimmy Reed. (Photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography)

Lawrence’s Jackson Dudley has his eyes on the hoop ahead of teammate Adam Duprey (14) and Skowhegan’s Chase Carey. Lawrence advanced to the state championship game with a 47-40 victory. (Photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography)

Erskine, Lawrence in 2019 tournament action

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Lawrence High School’s Nick Robertson (10), drives to the basket past Erskine defenders, from left to right, Austin Dunn (12), Jacob Praul (40) and Gavin Blanchard (22). (Photo by Mark Huard, owner of Central Maine Photography)

Erskine Academy, of South China, and Lawrence High School, of Fairfield, squared off in the semi-final of the Eastern Maine Basketball Tournament, held at the Augusta Civic Center, on Saturday, February 16. Lawrence won the game, 53-38.

Lawrence’s senior captain Kobe Nadeau (11), tries to work his way around Erskine defender, senior captain Gavin Blanchard, during their semi-final contest. (Photos by Mark Huard, owner of Central Maine Photography)

Hard work, determination keep Abigail Dudley plenty busy

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Abigail Dudley with her awards. (Photo by Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

Abigail Dudley, 12, of Winslow, carries the Martial Arts Creed, Virtues and Pillars with her in everything that she does. It helps her to maintain a heavy academic and athletic schedule. Her schedule includes Jui-jitsu with Shihan Mike Huard, Karate with Sensei Mark Huard and Shihan Mike Huard. She is also a member of Huard’s Sports Karate Team with Sensei Mark and Sensei Jayme Dennis. Despite a heavy schedule with other interests, Abigail has a very high attendance rate.

Recently she was also invited to join Team IPPONE with Sensei Denise Rouleau and Shihan Andy Campbell. This is a huge compliment to Abigail’s skills and training she has obtained with Huard’s Martial Arts.

To add to her already busy schedule, she also takes dance with Mr. Scott and Miss Ariel at Studio One For Dancers during the school year. Then does gymnastics in the summer at the Alfond Youth Center. Also during the school year she participates in after school sports while maintaining an “A” average in her classes at Mount Merici Academy, in Waterville.

Abigail is a four time S.M.A.R.T Ratings State Champion. In 2017, her first year competing in IPPONE ratings she placed fourth in New England in weapons. This past year 2018, she placed third in Kata and Fighting and fourth in weapons in New England. At this years 2019 IPPONE opening tournament, she was a triple crown winner placing first in all three divisions.

Abigail enjoys mentoring and helping the younger students in her dojo and on her teams. Her biggest enjoyment is empowering the younger girls at the dojo, on her teams and that she meets at other tournaments. She finds it very humbling that they want to learn from her and be like her.

Her goal in teaching and helping them is to show they can do and achieve anything they dream. Being a female in martial arts or any other journey you choose, doesn’t have to limit you. Abigail models that through hard work and determination you can do anything.