Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles highlighting some of the top sports stories around Houlton from 2017. This article highlights the events from July to December.
July
The Maine Recreation and Parks Association Track and Field North Region Qualifier was held at Caribou High School. Formerly known as the Hershey Track and Field Program, the meet included athletes from numerous Aroostook County communities vying for the chance to compete at the state meet in Bangor July 11.
A girls’ basketball team consisting of eight Aroostook County players completed a memorable and successful season. The Maine Lady Lumberjacks, a 12-year-old and under squad made up of players from as far north as Caribou and as far south as Patten, played in five tournaments from early April until early June and captured titles in four of them. They won 14 games while losing only three times. Team members included Faith Sjoberg, Drew Warman, Madison Russell, Annalise Jandreau, Salena Savage, Izzy Brownlee, Ashlyn Bouchard and Camryn Ala. The coach was Clyde Warman.
Houlton football player Austin Brown was selected to the 28th annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic. Brown represented the Shires on the East squad, which was defeated, 55-18, by the West team at Thornton Academy’s Hill Stadium in Saco.
Dave Wilson, left, presented Jason Collett with the G. Ivan Wilson Commissioner’s Award for the Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association. The award is open to all hockey players in SAMHA’s programs. The recipient of the commissioner’s award must demonstrate character, hard work, the desire to improve, respect, team play, love of the sport, as well as being a good ambassador of the association. (File photo)
August
Jason Collett was presented with the G. Ivan Wilson Commissioner’s Award for the Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA). The Commissioner’s Award is open to all hockey players in SAMHA’s programs. In addition, Kanyun McNinch was the recipient of the Tom Matthews Spirit Award. The award is given in memory of Tom Matthews, who was a hockey player, coach and a supporter of youth hockey.
The Laser Show captured the 5th annual Henderson Memorial Softball tournament in Houlton. The team was a perfect 5-0 in the tourney. Team members include Ryan Brewer, Ryan Lincoln, Hailey Cameron, Cliff Urquhart; Casey McCloskey, Jordon Guy, Joey Barnes, Damon Lincoln, Timmy Barnes and Courtney McIntyre.
The Knights of Columbus bought new jerseys for the Houlton Senior Little League all-star team. The shirts were designed by JEI Sports. Team members were Trevor Schools, Eli Bulley, Silas Graham, Ryder Graham, Andrew Tuttle, Nolan Hodgkins, Cameron Callnan, David Tucker, Nick Perfitt, Nick Brewer, Jaron Brewer, Justin Cook and Deven Campbell. The coaches were Bill Phillips, Morgan Phillips and Billy Phillips.
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- Houlton’s Austin Brown was the lone Shire selected to play in Saturday’s Shrine Lobster Bowl in Saco. Brown will attend Bridgton Academy in the fall on a full scholarship and plans to play football. (Joseph Cyr)
September
The fall sports season was in full swing with boys and girls soccer, golf, football and cross country all enjoying success. In one of the first big meets of the year, young runners from seven high schools participated in the Aroostook County League fall cross country series. High school runners from Houlton, Madawaska, Washburn, Wisdom, Fort Kent and the Maine School of Science and Mathematics joined the host-Greater Houlton Christian Academy to compete in the meet.
Bode Allen was selected as this year’s recipient of the “Andy Gray” Tennis Sportsmanship Award at the Houlton Recreation Department. Each summer, a youngster is selected who exemplifies good sportsmanship and a love for the game of tennis throughout the program.
In a crazy game that lasted nearly four hours, had two lead changes and endured three, 30-minute weather delays, the Houlton girls soccer team outlasted Orono 3-2 in a rematch of last year’s Class C North championship. Three times play was stopped by officials due to lightning.
Bode Allen was selected as this year’s recipient of the “Andy Gray” Tennis Sportsmanship Award at the Houlton Recreation Department. (Courtesy/Houlton Recreation Department)
After a 2-0 start to the season, the Houlton football team suffered its first loss of the year.
Houlton’s golf squad finished its regular season with a 16-1 match record. The Shires only loss was to Mattanawcook Academy. Houlton built upon that regular season success, finishing second at the Penobscot Valley Conference championships in Lincoln.
The Houlton Lodge of Elks hosted its annual soccer shoot under the direction of Tim Tweedie at the Houlton Middle-High School soccer fields. About 30 youngsters between the ages of 6 and 13 took part in the event.
For the first time since the Houlton High School football team became an official school sport, cheerleaders were included on the sidelines during a regular season game. The RSU 29 school board approved fall cheering as a club sport at its September meeting, which allowed the cheerleaders to officially be a part of the football program.
October
Houlton’s Wyatt Harvey capped his impressive junior season with an eighth-place finish at the state individual golf championships Saturday at the Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro. Harvey, one of 17 competitors in Class C shot an 86 on the day. Logan Thompson of Mattanawcook, who won his fourth consecutive Class C title, had a 66.
The fall sports season came to an end and several local soccer teams were in the playoff picture. The Houlton, Hodgdon and East Grand boys soccer squads, as well as the Houlton, Southern Aroostook, Katahdin and Hodgdon girls were all in the postseason.
History was made as the Hodgdon boys soccer team was believed to have won its first ever home playoff game. No. 8 Hodgdon (9-4-2 overall) received two goals from Dylan Oliver and solo goals from Wyatt Foster and Josh Palmer to secure a 4-2 win over No. 9 Easton in a Class D North preliminary playoff.
The Houlton-Hodgdon-GHCA football squad was able to secure the sixth and final playoff spot in Class D north. The Shires (3-6 overall) lost to No. 3 Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln 60-28.
November
Houlton’s girls soccer squad capped an incredible season by winning the state Class C soccer title with a 1-0 victory over Madison at Hampden Academy. The win marked the first state girls soccer title since 1987. Houlton beat Dexter 4-1 in the regional championship; defeated Orono 5-1 in the semifinals; and bested Bucksport 8-0 in the quarterfinals.
The Penobscot Valley Conference’s all-conference and all-academic teams included a number of Shire athletes. The Class C girls’ soccer first team consists of Houlton players Kolleen Bouchard, Tyra Gentle and Mia Hanning. Tessa Solomon and Aspen Flewelling made the second team and Claire Gilpatrick and Alexis Miller represented Houlton on the third team.
The Shires’ Kolleen Bouchard was named Player of the Year.
Winners at the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Region One (New England) Soccer Shoot held in Nashua, New Hampshire, included Amelia Callnan and Raiden Cochran of Houlton.
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- Houlton’s Wyatt Harvey chips onto the green during a regular season match at the Houlton Golf Course. Harvey was the top Shire golfer at the Penobscot Valley Championships held Thursday, Sept. 28, in Lincoln and qualified for the state individuals competition. (Joseph Cyr)
December
Houlton senior Kolleen Bouchard was one of only nine players in the state selected to the All-Region Girls’ Soccer Team, which represents the New England states. The announcement was made during the 44th Maine Soccer Coaches All-Star Banquet, held at the Spectacular Events Center in Bangor. Bouchard finished the season with a school record 37 goals, with her final goal netting the Shires the Class C State Championship. She finished her high school career with 78 goals and 32 assists in only three years of play as she missed her entire sophomore season due to injury.
Houlton girls soccer coach Tim Tweedie also earned accolades as he was recognized as the Northern Maine High School Girls Coach of the Year, as well as the Maine Small Schools Coach of the Year. The Houlton coach is one of five finalists in consideration for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Region One Coach of the Year award.
Four Shires were among the many athletes honored during the Little Ten Conference All-Star banquet in Brewer. Seniors Seth Holston, Damon Reynolds, Tristan Cosby and Jacob Forest all received recognition during the banquet for their performance on the football field and in the classroom this past season.
