By Quinn Graves
Special to the Houlton Pioneer Times
FORT FAIRFIELD — The Maine Potato Blossom Festival wrapped up with champions decided in a number of sporting events.
Presque Isle captured the junior girls’ softball tournament, which was played at the Fort Fairfield Middle High School Athletic Complex.
PI beat Caribou in the first game, 14-8, erasing a six-run deficit in the process.
In the semifinals, Presque Isle picked up a 10-2 triumph over Mars Hill.
The finals saw Presque Isle get past Ashland, 13-6.
Other teams taking part were in the eight-team event were Madawaska, Fort Fairfield, Washburn and Houlton.
Eight teams from throughout Aroostook County participated in the single elimination event for girls ages 9-12. In the semi-final round of play, Ashland defeated Fort Fairfield by a score of 9-2 and Presque Isle defeated Mars Hill 10-2. Presque Isle then went on the outscore Ashland in the championship game by a score of 13-6.
Eighty six runners and 15 walkers participated in the annual Potato Blossom 5-Miler Road Race. The race started and ended on Main Street, with Spencer McElwain of Caribou crossing the line first in 26 minutes and 23 seconds. The first female finisher was Jennifer St. Amand in 36:35.
Patrick Cote was the male runner-up in 28:06, with Evan Graves third in 28:52, Corey Park fourth in 29:14 and Chris Rines fifth in 30:35.
Stephanie Graves was second for females in 36:54. Rene Gorneault was third in 37:49, followed by Kimberley Wright in fourth in 38:42 and Angela Ewings fifth in 39:23.
Age division winners were: 14-and-under female, Sarah Beaulieu; 14-and-under male, John O’Meara; 15-18 female, Alexis Coiley; 15-18 male, Zachary Lasater; 19-29 female, Stephanie Graves; 19-29 male, Cote; 30-39 female, Gorneault; 30-39 male, Graves; 40-49 female, Ewings; 40-49 male, Jeff Ashby; 50-59 female, Wright; 50-59 male, Leo Kashian; 60-69 female, Lynn Soucy; 60-69 male, Waldo Libby; 70-and-over male, Thompson.
Bill Flannery was the first walker in 57:31. Rob Langner was the first Fort Fairfield resident to finish and 79-year-old Art Thompson of Limestone was recognized for competing in his 39th consecutive MPB 5-Miler.
The Regatta on the Aroostook drew 67 participants. The event started at the Forbes boat landing on the Aroostook River and finished in downtown Fort Fairfield. The six-mile event was won by Fred Ludwig of Houlton in a kayak with a time of 44:16. He was followed by Fran Cyr and Dave McCrossin, who took second place by paddling a canoe in 47:00.
The first overall finisher for the women was Kelsey Towle Elliott in a kayak with a time of 1:03:03.
