Low water, low participation, but good time on the river

Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
STEADY — Tom Horton and Jerry Hammond keep their boat steady during last Saturday’s Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race. The duo paddled in the Law Enforcement category.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Water conditions were low, but not the lowest seen during the annual Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race.
    “I believe that in high water, Fred [Ludwig] usually does that section in about 48 minutes,” said raceco- organizer Todd Willard.
    Ludwig finished the eight-mile course in a time of 1:17:06.
    “[The conditions] would effect the people that don’t know the channels the most,” he said. “The day was cool and wet in the morning, but turned out better later on in the day.”
    Not only was the water low, but participant numbers were down, as well.
    “We probably did lose a few people due to the weather,” said Willard. “I think the small numbers are a sign of the economic times. I don’t think the entry fee ($15 adult/$10 student) is the problem. Those fees have been the same for a long, long time. Gas at $4 a gallon definitely influences people’s decisions though.”
    The race also lost some sponsorship, which is effected by the economy.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
WINNER — Houlton’s Fred Ludwig paddled the annual Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race in a time of 1:17:06 for a first-place finish.
    “But, we did have plenty of people willing to donate time and lots of door prizes from local businesses,” Willard added.
    The race results are as follows:
Mackro Racing:
    K-1 Short, Bruce Weik, 1:32.57 and Benjamin Randall, 1:32.57; K-1 Long, Fred Ludwig, 1:17.06 and Dan Baument, 1:34.38; OC-1, Jim Park, 1:32.27and Chris Dalton, 1:37.36; OC-2 Women, Kailey Schmidt/Samantha Nadeau, 1:35.19; Century, Fran Cyr/Dave McCrossin, 1:24.21;
Recreation Experienced:
    OC-2 Medium, Jason Cross/Dan Flamming, 1:34.59; OC-2 Mixed, Dale Cross/Caitlin Cross, 1:34.58 and Tammy Kelly/Terry Wescott, 1:37.30; Century, Peter Blood/Clint Cushman, 1:31.28; Tom Cronkite/Maber Cronkite, 1:33.48 and Bob Martin/John Carter, 1:34.21.
Recreation
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
PADDLING ALONG —Andrew McPartland and his partner  Rodney Hemingway compete in the Rotary Business class last Saturday in the Meduxnkeag River Canoe Race.
    Junior/Senior, Billy Apgar/David Conley, 1:36.44; Peter Apgar/David Apgar, 1:48.25 and Glen Rowe/Bayleigh Rowe, 1:52.31; K-1 Short Men, Joshua Ford, 1:47.29;  Rich Mav, 1:50.56; Kevin Winslow, 1:55.10; and Mark Putnam, 2:04.10; K-1 Short Women, Hillary Ellis, 1:48.13; Beth Ludwig, 1:49.14 and Rebecca Allen, 2:00.51;K-1 Long Men, George Niles, 1:39.16; Jordan Benn, 1:43.53; Gregg Swallow, 1:51.50; Peter Swallow, 1:53.48 and Pete Chavonelle, 1:56.30; K-1 Long Women, Leslie Ferris, 1:59.56; Kendra Thornton, 2:09.40; Margene Young , 2:10.38 and Kristy Swallow, 2:10.44; OC-2 Short, Brian Goggins/Matthew Harding, 1:46.33; Chris Corey/Sam Holmes, 1:51.10;Ryan Vanier/Andrew Dawson, 1:59.44; and Richard Murray/Kent Spaulding, 2:30.56; OC-2 Medium, Juston Varney/Evan Hutchins, 1:35.42; Lenny Keyes/Robert Johnson, 1:48.44; and Nick Chambers/Brandon Clark, 1:53.14; CC-2 Mixed, Brian MacDonald/Kelsey MacDonald, 1:54.16 and Jon Harbison/Kaylea Collier, 2:03.50.
Special categories
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
ALL HANDS — All hands were on deck Saturday for this trio, from left, Kendrick Wilson, Josh Malone and Mike Qualey, who competed in the Open division of the Meduxnkeag River Canoe Race.
    Open, Mike Qualey/Josh Malone/Kendrick Wilson, 2:19.58; Rotary Business, Rodney Hemingway/Andrew McPartland,  1:34.10; Law Enforcement, Jerry Hammond/Tom Horton, 1:38.37; K-1 Student, Logan Buckley, 1:50.25; and Sam Stewart, 1:54.16; High School,  Ken Winearski/Mitchell Bartlett, 1:39.16; Neil Noble/Phillip Farle, 1:47.25; Chelse Winearski/Kim Stoddard, 1:48.33; Adreanna Phillips/Cassidy Woo, 1:57.06; and Arthur Russell/Kevin Haggerty 2:07.24.
Houlton Pioneer Times/ Gloria Austin
POLING AND PADDLING — Brandon Clark, front, uses a paddle to maneuver down the river, while his partner, Nick Chambers uses his poling skills.

Houlton Pioneer Times/ Gloria Austin
DUO —Peter and David Apgar compete in the Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race Junior/Senior division.