PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle High School Hall of Fame inducted five new members into its ranks on Friday, Jan. 14.
The Presque Isle High School Hall of Fame welcomed Kayla Legassie Buck (Class of 2009), Kylan Smith (Class of 2006), Nelson “Nellie” Guerrette (Class of 1957), Mike Chasse (Class of 2000) and Sue Lougee. Nelson Guerrette died in August 2021, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2021. His family plans to attend the next ceremony in 2023. Sue Lougee plans to attend in 2023 as well.
Sue Lougee serves as the Assistant coach of Athletic injuries at Presque Isle high school as well as serving as a cross country and track coach. She Received the exemplary lifetime commitment in girls and womens athletics award in 1998, and the unsung hero award toward Maine’s female athletes in 2011. She was honored by the Maine Legislature for her work in athletic injury care for Aroostook County students. She’s been inducted to the Maine sports legends hall of fame as well as the UMPI hall of fame.
Nelson “Nellie” Guerrette was a longtime basketball score taker at boys and girls basketball games in Presque Isle, a pursuit he began as a senior in in high school. He was manager of many sports teams at the school before graduating in 1957. He held the scorer’s table position for 58 years, working alongside Harold Tardy, Bob Flewelling, and Donald “Spike” Savage. Guerrette worked at Guerrette’s Market, and also worked as a custodian at Cunningham middle school. Guerrette was a third degree knight of Columbus, a family man, and an avid church volunteer.
The evening saw families and friends gather in the bottom floor of the Northeastland Hotel, swapping stories and laughs, and reminiscing on the past. As 6:30 p.m. rolled around, PIHS Athletic Director Mark White began the ceremony to honor the three inductees in attendance.
Kayla Legassie was a standout soccer player for PIHS. She held the school record of 71 career goals until it was broken by Madison Michaud of the Class of 2019. Legassie helped lead the Wildcats to victory in the Class B regional championship match, giving the Wildcats their first-ever title. She was an All State and All East team athlete.
Legassie also was a success on the varsity basketball court. She averaged 9.3 points per game as a junior and 12.2 points per game as a senior, earning several accolades such as the Big East Conference Defensive Award and was an All Aroostook senior all star. She was also an All Aroostook softball honoree as a junior.
After graduating from PIHS, Legassie went on to run cross country at the collegiate level. At the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Legassie became the NCAA Association Division III independent rookie of the year for cross country. She was also a USCAA All American for two years.
Legassie is employed at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle.
Presque Isle girls varsity basketball coach Jeff Hudson presented Legassie with her award into the hall of fame, citing her as the heart and soul of the basketball team.
“I am honored and humbled to be here with this group,” Legassie said. “Athletics became a big part of my high school identity, and I was blessed with an incredible lineup of coaches.”
Kylan Smith was a successful varsity soccer and basketball player at PIHS, and went on to have a successful career in soccer at the collegiate level.
Smith was not only an All Aroostook athlete for soccer, but was also named All Conference, and All Estern Maine Choice for Class B, under Coach Ralph Michaud.
In basketball, Smith excelled on the court, being a second team All Conference selection in the Big East for two years, before being elevated to first team as a senior. She helped the Wildcats claim the Class B state championship her senior year, and even made the McDonald’s Senior All Star team.
After high school, Smith attended the University of Maine in Orono, and competed in Division I with the Black Bears, before transferring to Husson. There, she continued to shine as an All Conference selection in the North Atlantic Conference for three years, and also made its all tourney and all academic teams her last two seasons. She ended her career as the North Atlantic Conference tournament most valuable player.
Smith is a physical therapist in Blacksburg Virginia, and splits her time as director of an outpatient clinic with Virginia Tech athletics.
Smith’s teammate through high school and at Orono, Katie McQuade, presented the induction award to Smith.
“[Smith’s] authenticity drew teammates to her, and they helped make her a great leader,” McQuade said.
As Smith accepted her induction, she couldn’t help but reminisce on her memories.
“Some of the best memories I have are wearing a Wildcat jersey,” Smith said. “You guys are my roots, and I will never forget what I have learned here.”
The final induction presentation of the night was for Mike Chasse of the Class of 2000. He earned 11 varsity letters during his time at PIHS for alpine skiing, track and soccer.
Bryce Waddell, Chasse’s ski coach, cited Chasse as the most accomplished alpine skier in the entirety of Presque Isle school history. His skiing career was punctuated by a second place finish in the slalom and eighth place finish in the giant slalom at the Class B state meet.
Chasse continued to dominate the Aroostook County ski scene, and was regularly cited by coaches as “the kid to watch.” Chasse served as an example to not only other members on the Presque Isle ski team, but from other schools as well. He came in first place in the giant slalom in the county championships as a junior, and was consistently a top 10 performer in the regular season during all four of his years.
While running track, Chasse set the school record for 110-meter hurdles at 15.1 seconds. He holds the record in Aroostook County for the event and won the Eastern Maine Championships his senior year. Chasse also went on to win the 300-meter hurdles as a senior.
Mike Chasse runs Presque Isle Bike, Board and Ski, and is also a city councilor for Presque Isle.
Waddell presented Chasse with his induction award, citing his character and skill.
“Chasse was a role model for everyone in the state of Maine,” Waddell said. Not only that, but I couldn’t have asked for a better role model for my kids.”
Chasse took to the podium to give thanks for the support he has received.
“I’m honored,” Chasse said. “I want to thank my family for being here. My family has given me so much love and support and has connected me with this school.”
The evening closed with State Sen. Trey Stewart, R-Aroostook, presenting the athletes with state remarks for the induction, and they will be recorded in the official record in Augusta.
