St. John Valley Situations 12 months in Sports activities 2021, January to June

Editor’s Notice: The following is the to start with of two articles highlighting some of the leading sports activities stories from 2021. This article highlights situations from January to June. The next installment will look in the Jan. 5 issue.

The initially six-months of 2021 commenced with disappointment and tragedy in the St. John Valley sporting activities community. As the months went by, there ended up lots of times to rejoice. 

January

The Large College basketball period received off to a late start for Valley Unified educational facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Valley Unified companions, Unhappy 27, Sad 33 and Madawaska School Department, all moved to a distant mastering product ahead of the 2020 Christmas break when COVID outbreaks took place in St. John Valley cities. 

The Madawaska Center/Superior School girls varsity basketball crew saw their period canceled thanks to the deficiency of gamers and COVID-19 fears. With only four women confirmed for the start of the period, Madawaska officials mentioned they had no choice but to withdraw. 

The St. John Valley mourned the unexpected death of a beloved neighborhood chief. Eric Werntgen was additional than an athletic director, educator and mentor he was a mentor and reliable adviser to college students, colleagues and friends. Werntgen left a legacy of compassion and respect for others. 

February

A history variety of anglers registered for the 16th once-a-year Very long Lake Ice Fishing Derby. The derby was a achievement for outdoor fanatics as properly as for the Edgar J. Pelletier Most cancers Fund, which rewards from cash lifted from the function.

Van Buren’s Isaiah Morales was chosen by the The Maine McDonald’s/Maine Affiliation of Basketball Coaches for the Boys Course C/D North McDonald’s All Star crew.

Madawaska Snowmobile Club Trailmaster George Morneault acquired many unexpected very well-wishes when snowmobile clubs and neighborhood teams throughout Aroostook County shared information of his 75th birthday on social media. Morneault has been a pillar of the sledding community for a long time and his attempts have not long gone unappreciated. 

March 

The Fort Kent Local community Higher College boys and girls alpine ski teams dominated the slopes when they the two took first place at the Aroostook County Alpine Ski meet. Athletes from Fort Kent and Madawaska were the speediest unique racers at the celebration. 

The major-ranked Van Buren boys varsity basketball team innovative to the Division II championship but misplaced out to Southern Aroostook in the final recreation. Van Buren finished its season with an 11-3 general record.

The Wisdom Middle/Superior School Pioneer women varsity basketball staff just about ran absent with the Aroostook County Division II championship, but fell to Southern Aroostook in the finals. The Pioneers went undefeated right until the closing game and ended the time with a 10-1 overall history.

St. David musher Jonathan Hayes and his crew of Seppala Siberian sled canine achieved a 280-mile trek by the northern Maine woods to honor the famed sled pet Togo. The journey took 7 times and six evenings to full.

April

Knowledge Middle/High University softball came back again swinging just after a two season hiatus. The method was place on keep because of to a deficiency of curiosity amid college students in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

Fort Kent hired a new parks and recreation director in Jason Nadeau. The logging small business proprietor and former athlete with a university degree in sports management loaded the place that Ann Beaulieu experienced held for much more than two a long time before she retired. 

May

Issues appeared to be returning to standard as Fort Kent announced the town pool would reopen for the summer season and the well known Dutch Soccer Academy would return. The pool had been shut the previous summer time and the touring soccer academy experienced not frequented in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Fort Kent Summer season Rec software for young children introduced it would not only increase programming but also return swimming classes which were canceled due to COVID-19 during the summer season of 2020. 

June

Van Buren’s undefeated boys tennis staff, with a 3-2 win over Orono, superior to the regional championship.

The Fort Kent Warrior softball team won a preliminary playoff match from Orono to earn a location in the quarterfinals. Fort Kent sophomore Larissa Daigle racked up her 10th house run during her to start with significant college softball season. 

The Aroostook League unveiled its 2021 spring All-Aroostook groups. Many St. John Valley athletes had been involved for baseball, softball, tennis and monitor and discipline. 

Fort Kent college students honored the late athletic director, educator and mentor Eric Werntgen during a softball fundraiser for the Eric Werntgen Memorial Scholarship. Previous and existing high university boys baseball players and ladies softball gamers competed against one particular an additional in the party held at Fort Kent Local community Large School.