Front row, from left to right, Colton Carter, Gaige Martin, Cole Quirion, Dawson Moore, Hunter Hart-Guertin and Preston Roy. Second row, Dane Zawistowski, Riley Leary, Cameron Blodgett, Henry Wadsworth, Zebadiah Hannah and Michael Hamlin. Coach Todd Leary, Coach Kevin Guertin, Coach Todd Hamlin, and Manager Barry Quirion. Photo submitted by Central Maine Photography
Cal Ripken 10U District 5 Champions, from Fairfield, moved on to the state tournament last weekend!
Huard’s Martial Arts student Ely Yang, 16, of Winslow, center, captured the 2017 Maine State Jiu-jitsu championship on June 25 at the Black Fly Brazilian Jiu-jitsu championships in Rangeley. Flanking Ely is assistant coach Keegan Yang, left, and coach Mike Huard.
Pictured, front row, from left to right, C. Lamoreau, K. Douin, S. Flannery, M. Marshall, J. Lemelin. Back row, Coach R. Flannery, Coach D. Hayes, D. Hayes, B. Kieltyka, C. Maclean, K. Stred, K. Douin, Coach J. Douin.
The St. Michael boys middle school baseball team, in Augusta, posted an undefeated, 11-0, season. They won the championship game against China, 12-0, on June 8, and are now the Sheepscot Valley Athlletic Conference champions.
The Waterville Alfonds Cal Ripken baseball champions finished with an undefeated 11-0-1 record after defeating Winslow Ward Electric in a game played at Maine’s Fenway Park on June 5. Front row, from left to right, Joel Retamozza, Eli Kerr, Gabriel Pouland, Cooper Tardif and Sean Walsh. Back, Coach Wayne Gendreau, Garrett Gendreau, Corbin Anderson, Logan Dodge, Coach Brian Bellows, Justan Hunter, Camden Brown and coach Ken Walsh.
Brother and sister set new school records in the triple jump at their respective schools. Jake Warn, a junior at Winslow High School, is the state champion in the triple jump for the second year. He broke the school record at the state meet with a jump of 43 feet, 7 inches. His sister, Carly Warn, an eighth grader at Winslow Junior High, is the school record holder for the triple jump with 33 feet 2 inches.
The Winslow High School boys track and field team recently claimed the class B state championship. The team also won the Community Cup and the KVAC title. They last won a state crown in 1966. Pictured are the athletes who qualified and competed in the state meet at Yarmouth on June 3. Front, Jake Warn. First row, from left to right, Nelson Reynolds, Alister Piccini, Max Spaulding, Adam O’Conner, Ryan Fredette and Tyler Martin. Middle, Josh Olin, Ben Dorval, Nick Tiner, Jake Witham and Jake Bisson. Back, Nate Gagnon, Ben Abbott, Spencer Miranda and Jamie Sears.
Sean Walsh, 9, of Vassalboro, strikes a pose of catching a potential home run during a photo session recently held at the new Purnell / Wrigley Field, in Waterville.
Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photogrphy staff
Huard’s Sport Karate team member Jason Feyler, of Winslow, captured first place in forms and third place in fighting at the recent KICKS USA National Karate Tournament, held in Gardiner, on May 20.
Photo by Mark Huard
Members of the Bole’s Cal Ripken baseball team take the field at the special opening ceremony on April 29.
Photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography staff
On April 29 Purnell Wrigley Field, in Waterville, joined the Harold Alfond Fenway Park, in Oakland, as the only two licensed replica turfed fields in the country.
CEO Ken Walsh, of the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA at the Alfond Youth Center said, “These fields give kids the opportunity to feel like real Major League players! The turf not only gives everyone the chance to play but extends the baseball season here in Maine, giving kids more time to develop their skills and learn sportsmanship while playing the game they love. The Purnell Wrigley Field is truly a grass roots community project built on the support of many and varied contributors of monetary and in-kind gifts. It’s a wonderful project honoring the legacy of some terrific ‘home town’ heroes.”
Fran Purnell and his volunteers of 48 years were recognized along with the many sponsors who helped contribute to building the field. Over 100 youth Cal Ripken baseball players and coaches attended this special celebration to kick off the 2017 baseball season. The Challenger team players developed by Fran Purnell in 1990 will also be celebrated. Former Cubs and Red Sox Major League Baseball player Lee Smith joined and threw out the first pitch and signed autographs for all of the kids and fans!
The new turf field has a 30-foot replica Wrigley scoreboard, new press box, concession stand and bathrooms. The dugouts have 24-foot murals of the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series along with a new lighting system. Thankfully, $600,000 of the $1.4 million project were in-kind gifts from the surrounding community. The project was in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA at the Alfond Youth Center and the Waterville Park & Recreation Department.
A new book “Fields of Dreams” is now available describing the development of the replica MLB parks. All proceeds go to the field. Purchase through Amazon or AYC.
Former Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Lee Smith, left, signs an autograph for Keegan Dumais during opening ceremonies.
Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff
Fin Minkel, 8, of Oakland, left, and Sean Achorn, 8, of Oakland, had the opportunity to meet with New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich on April 12
Hammond Lumber Company hosted an Employee and Contractor Appreciation event on April 12, featuring Rob Ninkovich, linebacker for the New England Patriots and two-time Super Bowl champion. Close to 3,000 Patriots’ fans waited patiently to have their picture taken with Rob and shake his hand. Some even had the privilege of trying on his Super Bowl championship ring. The event was a perfect opportunity for Maine fans to celebrate the Patriots’ LI Super Bowl victory and commemorate Ninkovich’s first trip to Maine.
Ninkovich with Hammond Lumber Co. founder Skip Hammond.
It was an especially memorable event for all the children in attendance. Their pride and excitement was apparent as they got to meet the 6-foot 2-inch linebacker in person. Ninkovich’s obliging personality and easy manner certainly made it a dream come true for many. Mark Huard from Central Maine Photography was on hand to capture each special moment.
Travis Brunette, right, 18, of Pittsfield, compares his 2016 Class D state championship ring, which he earned as a member of the Maine Central Institute Huskies football team, of Pittsfield, last fall, with Ninkovich’s Super Bowl ring.
“Rob Ninkovich is a true gentleman and exemplifies the high standard for excellence put forth by the Patriots’ organization. He was as kind and gracious to the last person in line as he was to the first fan who made it to the stage six hours later,” Mike Hammond, President of Hammond Lumber Company, shared. “The entire day exceeded my expectations and I was gratified to see the positive impact it had on our employees, contractors, vendors, neighbors, and friends,” he added.