Dan Jacobs, back, and his son Nolan splash their way through a rough stretch of water Saturday in the 2017 Meduxnekeag River Canoe and Kayak Race. See results and additional photos in Sports. (Joseph Cyr | Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — Overcast weather Saturday provided a chillier-than-usual setting for the 2017 Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race.
A large contingent of paddlers came out for this year’s race. The high water levels were a stark contrast to last year’s race, when many boaters were scrapping the rocky river bed.
“My personal goal is for us to reach 100 paddlers and this year we exceeded that number,” Torres said.
A total of 126 paddlers manned 80 vessels of varying sizes, shapes and colors to take on the fast moving, high water conditions. Only a couple of paddlers failed to finish the race, Torres said.
A big crowd also gathered in Riverfront Park for the awards ceremony and luncheon. Proceeds from the race benefits the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce to help fund various events throughout the year. Torres said more than 140 hamburgers and 160 hot dogs were served at the luncheon.
Ted Sussman, right, and his son Mike Sussman navigate a tricky stretch of the Meduxnekeag River Saturday during the annual canoe and kayak race. A field of 80 boats and 126 paddlers participated this year. (Joseph Cyr | Pioneer Times)
“It was just a wonderful day to be downtown,” Torres said. “There were so many things going on. It was great to see so many people milling around.”
The following “Traveling Trophies” were presented — Rotary Award: Patrick Bruce and Darren LaPointe, 1:34:37; Law Enforcement: 1, Josh Beal and Chad Robertson, 1:20:27; and 2, Zeke Gaddis and Matt Day, 1:24:04.
The individual results from the racing division were:
K-1 Short — 1, Brian Foley, 1:15:23.
K-1 Long — 1, Ray Wirth, 1:04:51; 2, Kell Fremouw, 1:11:27; 3, Leslie Gregory, 1:17:52.
OC-1 — 1, River Robertson, 1:12:06; 2, Bob Martin, 1:17:29; 3 (tie), Jim Parks and Fran Cyr, 1:25:59; and 5, RW Estela, 1:29:06.
OC-2 Medium — 1, Terry Westcott and Chip Loring, 1:16:02; and 2, Sam Holmes and Chris Corey, 1:16:41.
OC-2 Mixed — 1, Lisa Gallandt and Kellen Doyle, 1:10:28; and 2, Karoline Bass and Elias Bass, 1:22:29.
OC-1 Jr/Sr — 1, Jeff Owen and Tommy Owen, 1:08:46.
The individual results in the recreational division were:
K-1 Short Men — 1, Kevin Winslow, 1:35:00; 2, Thomas Wire, 1:35:10; 3, Dale Drost, 1:43:31; 4, Sean Donovan, 1:43:42; 5, Mark Putnam, 1:50:42; 6, Derek Vose, 1:53:53; 7, Bruce Flewelling, 1:55:10; 8, Robert Brown, 2:01:45; 9, Jonathan Stoddard, 2:03:27; 10, Michael Haney, 2:12:43; and 11, Dennis Ashley, 2:12:47.
Looking at the water ahead of them are Sarah and Tim Cady. (Joseph Cyr | Pioneer Times)
K-1 Short Women — 1, Suzanne Hiltz, 1:43:08; 2, Madison Grant, 1:53:59; 3, Erika Jacket, 1:57:40; 4, Tina Brown, 1:58:01; and 5, Elizabeth Cain, 2:03:17.
OC-1 — 1, Jeremy Hiltz, 1:42:32.
OC-2 Short (Under 16.6) — 1, Sam Sargent and Caleb Gerritsen, 1:27:07; 2, Dan Jacobs and Nolan Jacobs, 1:29:02; 3, Jeremia Drew and Barrett Nason, 1:32:41; and 4, Jacob Pelkey and Hillary Pelkey, 1:40:49.
OC-2 Long — 1, Jeff Raymond and Jodi Raymond, 1:33:57; 2, Galen Haines and Chuck Tucker, 1:53:43.
OC-2 Medium — 1, Ted Sussman and Mike Sussman, 1:20:50; 2, Thane Fremouw and Marc Veilleux, 1:25:06; 3, Jordan Wilson and Justin Wilson, 1:27:20; 4, Chris Craig and Chad Deshaine, 1:30:53; and 5, Tom Farrar and Paul Mullen, 1:39:54.
OC-2 Women — 1, Rhonda London and Brittney Cunningham, 1:25:47.
OC-2 Mixed — 1, Tim Cady and Sarah Cady, 1:17:39; 2, Rose Guy and Travis Deabay, 1:21:24; 3, Brian MacDonald and Kelsey MacDonald, 1:26:05; 4, Michael Qualey and Lacey Farrar, 1:41:52; and 5, Gregory Krantch and Monica Deabay, 1:43:43.
OC-2 Jr/Sr — 1, Garth Bean and Bradley Bean, 1:34:07; 2, Matthew Scott and Shelby Scott, 1:35:12; 3, Robert Brown and Kyle Brown, 1:49:00; 4, Sean Morris and Jackson Morris, 1:51:04; 5, Clarissa Henry and Rowen Fremouw, 1:54:48; 6, Amy Scott and Cooper Scott, 1:57:59.
OC-2 Short — 1, Cody Hallowell and Brody Hawkins, 1:43:41.
The individual results in the recreational experienced division were:
OC-1 — 1, Mark Risinger, 1:23:05; 2, Brian Doyle, 1:26:05; and 3, Mike Kelley, 1:28:18.
OC-2 Mixed — 1, Eric Gallandt and Ellen Mallory, 1:10:20.
OC-2 Jr/Sr — 1, Matthew Potter and Wayne Daggett, 1:19:26; 2, Chris Dalton and Catherine Dalton, 1:20:14; and 3, Erica Napoli and Tammi Metula, 1:29:17.
The following special categories were also awarded.
OC-2 College — 1, Cooper Power and John Clark, 1:23:42.
OC-2 62-and-older — 1, Clint Cushman and Peter Blood, 1:14:25.
Results from the student division were:
High School — 1, Phillip Farley and Sarah Stoddard, 1:18:20; 2, Matthew Sixberry and Aaron Sixberry, 1:24:00; 3, Martin Craenen and Zivi Osher, 1:24:06; 4, Jonah Edgar and Noam Osher, 1:24:10; 5, Lowell Ruck and Leah Ruck, 1:25:19; 6, Cree Neptune-Bear and Damon Galipeau, 1:30:56; and 7, Noah Sixberry and Cassi Stoddard, 1:33:00.
K-1 Student — 1, Katie Owen, 1:15:24; and 2, Brooklyn Brown, 2:03:07.
OC-1 Student — 1, Nolan Mabee, 1:24:32.
