Sports Desk

The opportunity to compete at the next level is always important and Bryan Blackman experienced it firsthand by running in the 100 and 200 at the New England championships last Saturday.

The recent Dirigo graduate had qualified for the event after having placed third in the 100 and second in the 200 at the Class C state meet the previous week. He broke the school record in the 200. The New England meet was in Burlington, VT and Blackman is the first Dirigo athlete to compete at that level in track.

In the state meet, Kayla Gaudin placed third in the shot put and sixth in the 100. Gaudin had broken the school record twice in the shot put this season. Silvia Lutick placed seventh in the 400.

Don’t put off until tomorrow what could have been done yesterday. The Dirigo softball team was left shaking their collective heads while pondering what might have been following having been blown out by Jay in a quarterfinal playoff game. It was the second straight day the Lady Cougars had traveled to Tiger town.

On Thursday, pitcher Aylssa Wade and Dirigo had been leading 2-1 when the game was called because of inclement weather. The rules state that playoff games must be played in its entirely, not resumed at the point of suspension.

Jake Dowland had an RBI single as Dirigo walked off with a 6-5 win over Winthrop in a quarterfinal playoff baseball game. It was Dowland's “most dramatic hit ever.”

Cody St. Germain had been walked intentionally in the seventh in order for Dowland to bat.

Dirigo had led 4-1 behind three solid innings by pitcher Ben Holmes. Caleb turner and Spencer Ross had each homered for the Cougars. It was Ross’ first-ever four bagger.

Winthrop rallied with four runs in the fifth. Arik Fenstermacher earned the win, after pitching the final two and two-thirds innings. Fenstermacher had three hits, while Dowland and Ross each had two hits. The Cougar defense was led by Hunter Ross, who threw out a runner trying to advance from right field. He also made a diving stop at second base.

Safe at home Photo:

SAFE! -- Dirigo's Arik Fenstermacher and the Winthrop look up for the ump's call here, which went the Cougars' way in their quarterfinal win last week. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)