Editor’s Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of 2019’s most important and interesting sports stories. This article highlights events from January through June.
January
The Presque Isle Wildcats captured the 2019 Aroostook League Cheerleading Championship. A score of 59.9 put the team far ahead of second-place Houlton, which had 50.3 points.
On Jan. 19, two historic Presque Isle athletic figures joined the Presque Isle High School Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2019 consisted of Tim Olore, who played and coached baseball, and Angela Norsworthy-Hartman, a noted soccer player.
The Central Aroostook Panthers team celebrates its victory in the 2019 class D regional cheerleading championship at the Cross Center on Saturday, Jan. 26. (Linda Coan O’Kresik | BDN)
Washburn girls basketball player Kassandra Farley reached the 1,000-point high school career mark in a game on Jan. 10. The senior guard finished with a team-high 13 points in a loss to Madawaska.
Central Aroostook boys basketball senior guard Ben Thomas became the 15th boy and 25th player overall to score 1,000 points in his high school career.
February
The Central Aroostook cheering squad captured the Class D cheering championship in Augusta on Feb. 9, its sixth straight championship, and 11th in the past 12 years. The Mars Hill squad finished with 74.8 points, eight ahead of second-place Penobscot Valley of Howland.
Hermon beat Presque Isle boys basketball in a flattening 58-30 loss in the Class B North quarterfinal in Bangor. Hermon had won 41 consecutive games before the contest.
Presque Isle girls basketball were beaten by Hermon in a 67-32 loss in the Class B quarterfinal in Bangor.
Ashland made school history on Feb. 19 when its Nordic ski team captured the Class C state championship. A small but dedicated group of only four players propelled Ashland to victory. Though beset by the illness of a significant player, the team was able to pull through and dominate its competition.
Central Aroostook boys basketball were beaten by Sumner, who came back from a 14-point deficit early in the game to make a massive comeback in the second half. Sumner ended up beating Central Aroostook 54-53 in the Class C North quarterfinal.
Presque Isle ice hockey scored a 4-1 victory in the Class B North quarterfinal against John Bapst. Presque Isle captain, Thomas Patenaude, was initially feared to be too injured to play but was able to come in during the home game.
Presque Isle’s Caleb Wheaton, left, tries to find a passing lane as Hermon’s Travis Spell leaps into the air to block his path during Saturday afternoon’s Class B North quarterfinal held Feb. 16, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
March
The Presque Isle hockey team was beaten by Kennebec in overtime, losing 6-5 in the Class B North championship match. The Wildcats had scored twice in the last 8 minutes of regulation to force overtime but were unable to prevent Kennebec’s Zach Menoudarakos from scoring the game-winning goal.
Several basketball players from Presque Isle and surrounding communities participated in the Aroostook County Senior All-Star Games in Caribou. Ben Thomas of Central Aroostook scored a game-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers.
Fort Fairfield Middle School hosted a Division 2 Aroostook League boys volleyball tournament on March 16. Several teams from across the County participated, including Houlton, Easton and Van Buren. The Fort Fairfield team ultimately won the tournament.
April
Presque Isle native Jillian Flynn was named the captain of the University of Maine’s women ice hockey team. Despite appearing in just four games over her three seasons, Flynn was nominated because of her leadership skills in the locker room and on the ice.
May
The Aroostook River Fun Run featured a variety of races, including paddling, cycling and running. It was the 12th time the event had been held by the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotary Clubs, along with the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club. The weather was in the 40s throughout the day, but did not dissuade many from participating in the games.
On May 28, the Caribou baseball team beat Presque Isle in an extra-innings 4-3 walk-off win. Presque Isle had jumped to an early lead but was unable to withstand a resurgent Caribou offense.
June
Three Aroostook County natives were among those inducted into the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honors. Peter Webb, Kevin Sjoberg and the late G. Caroline Morris were all honored for the award, which is given to those who showed excellent leadership in education, coaching and the community. Two Aroostook County students, Madison Jandreau of Presque Isle and Alex Ezzy of Caribou, were also honored.
The Graves Institute of Self-Defense held its 28th karate and Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Mars Hill, featuring martial artists from across the U.S. and Canada. The Martial arts students ranged from 5 to 60 years old and followed several unique styles.
The Central Aroostook baseball team blasted through the Class D North basketball playoffs, winning the title against Hodgon in a 9-8 victory in Bangor. It was the team’s second walk-off victory in its playoff run and the first regional title for the team since 2010.
