FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The fifth class was inducted into the Fort Fairfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame Thursday, July 19. Six former athletes were recognized during the ceremony held in the high school cafeteria.
Jefferson “Jeff” Ashby, Class of 1985, was a multi-sport star who competed in cross country running, skiing and track and field. He was an individual state champion in cross country skiing and captain of the state championship team his senior season. He also captained the 1985 Aroostook County champion cross country running team. Ashby was class valedictorian and went on to receive degrees from Bowdoin College and the University of Maine School of Law.
Paul Burtchell, Class of 1973, was another athlete who competed in several sports. He earned eight letters in baseball, basketball and soccer and was a key member of the 1970 state champion baseball team. He was named a Class A baseball all-star three times and was the northern maine batting champion as a senior. Burtchell was invited to a tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Stephanie Fields Beaulieu, Class of 1990, earned letters in cross country running and skiing, soccer, softball and track and field during her athletic career. She was a state champion in cross country skiing in 1990 and went undefeated that season, setting a course record in Fort Kent.
Andrew Lynch, Class of 1983, lettered all four years in baseball, basketball and soccer. He was the ace of the 1982 Aroostook League champion baseball team, was a member of the 1980 Eastern Maine runner-up soccer team and was an all-state goalkeeper as a freshman and an all-state forward as a senior.
Mark Sprague, Class of 1995, capped his athletic career with the coveted Basil Mahaney Athlete of the Year award. He was a standout in baseball, basketball and soccer. Sprague was a key member of the 1994 Class D state champion baseball team and was a two-time Maine Sunday Telegram all-state choice. He was a Maine senior all star in the sport. Sprague also was an Aroostook League selection in basketball and earned a spot in the senior all-star game.
Stephen Thibeau, Class of 1986, earned a total of 10 letters in the sports of basketball, baseball, soccer and golf. He was a key contributor on the 1982-83 basketball team that won the Eastern Maine Class C title, which was the first championship in school history. Thibeau scored 812 points in three years to become the all-time leading boys’ scorer in school history at the time. He was named to the McDonald’s Senior All-Star Team.
