Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles highlighting some of the Crown of Maine’s top sports stories from 2023. This article compiled by Chris Bouchard highlights stories from July through December.
July
Fort Kent native and former NASCAR racer Austin Theriault is preparing to return to the track for the 50th annual Oxford 250 at the Oxford Plains Speedway. This will mark Theriault’s first time on the race track since 2019 when he raced in the NASCAR Cup Series. He was injured in his last race at the Talladega Speedway. The event will benefit the Travis Mills Foundation, which supports recalibrated veterans and their families.
August
Northern Maine Medical Center’s 33rd annual Tour de la Vallee was its largest yet. It drew 135 participants and raised $31,300 for the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund, which helps families with travel and lodging expenses when visiting a loved one receiving treatment in a distant hospital. Unlike previous events, this year’s tour featured family activities at the town’s Riverside Park after participants finished. These activities ranged from face painting to an obstacle course. This year’s tour allowed for more modes of transportation, with ATVs and motorcycles being added to the existing options of biking, walking and running.
Retired coach Terre Carpenter, who founded Fort Kent Community High School’s soccer programs, has now established an athletic scholarship program for athletes who participate in the sports that he coached. He first came to Fort Kent in 1963, a time when Aroostook County only had only four soccer programs. And in 1964, he started setting up the school’s first soccer program. Carpenter’s dedication to the school’s sports programs is still discussed in the community, and his scholarship program is a way to continue that dedication.
September
The University of Maine at Fort Kent hosted its first ever night soccer game after receiving new lights donated by the family of Michael Simon. Simon moved to the Fort Kent area from New York roughly 40 years ago. He died of complications following a heart attack, and since then his family has donated a total of $500,000 to the University of Maine at Fort Kent Foundation. It marks the largest donation given to the foundation by a single family. The money was used to renovate the soccer field and purchase a new scoreboard, in addition to the new lights.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent has integrated building esports computers into its classes. Students enrolled in the school’s computer degree programs will go from researching parts to physically building the machines. From there, they will learn how to install the operating systems and provide IT services. And throughout this experience, students will receive multiple certifications. The computers that are built will be used by the college’s newly-formed esports club.
October
The Fort Kent Lady Warriors hosted and won a soccer game against the Washington Academy Raiders on Sept. 22. The team won 5-0. Hannah Lovely had a hat trick and Reese Doucette and Julia Cyr also scored one goal each. And on Sept. 26, the team hosted and defeated the Ashland Hornets by 6-0. Juia Cyr scored two goals. Other goals were scored by Lily Werntgen, Maddie Morneault, Leah Hebert and Hannah Lovely.
Fort Kent is set to host the first Collegiate National Championships in biathlon early next year. The competition, which involves a combination of cross-country skiing and target shooting, is set to take place from March 22 to 24 of 2024 at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center. This event will use the same sprint courses as the U.S. Biathlon National Championships.
November
The Fort Kent girls soccer team won the Class C North championship after defeating the defending state champion Bucks 1-0 during a game at Cameron Stadium in Bangor. The victory marked Fort Kent’s first regional title since 2019 and the team’s 12th shutout of the season. Fort Kent had a 16-1 record after the game and faced off against Waynflete of Portland in the state championship game in Bangor. Waynflete won on penalty kicks.
December
For the first time in over 30 years, the Class B regional wrestling tournament will return to Fort Kent. Scott DuBois, head coach for the Fort Kent wrestling program, said he has looked forward to having a championship match in town ever since he started coaching about 10 years ago. The event will be hosted at the University of Maine at Fort Kent gym on Feb. 2 and take place throughout most of the day.
Registrations for the 19th annual Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby officially opened. The event brings in nearly 2,000 participants from Maine and beyond. It raises money for the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund, which helps families with travel and lodging costs when visiting a loved one who is staying at a distant hospital. To date, the derby has raised $120,000 towards the cancer fund. They have also pledged $60,000 to the Northern Maine Medical Center Foundation over the course of five years. Derby organizers also unveiled a new website, longlakeicefishingderby.com, where participants can register and learn more about the event.
