Sports Desk

The life of a long distance runner can be hard, but it can be extremely rewarding for those individuals who accept the challenge and complete a course. Those attributes certainly relate to the current members of the Dirigo boys' and girls' cross country teams.
The program has continued to climb back up the ladder, since Gunnar Bradbury approached (former athletic director) Charlie Swan and inquired about reviving the program. It had to start as a club because the program had been dormant for more than two years. Last year, the girls team qualified for and finished fifth in its first-ever state meet.
Bradbury did the leg work required and approached some students to inquire if they would be interested in joining. His intentions were to not recruit those who were already committed to another sport.  
The efforts paid off, with Dirigo hosting a home cross-country meet last Wednesday, with Saint Doms and Carrabec. It was the first meet held on the Cougars three-mile course since last century.
The girls' team won 22 to 34 over SD, with Dirigo's top three finishers in Natalie Bolduc (24.24), Jessica Conant (25.08) and Sabrina Daud (25.15). Other Cougars are Silvia Lutick, Megan Bradbury, Summer Keim, Casey Dummond,  Hataya Levesque and Katelyn Olsen.
The first five runners earn points for their respective team. The boys' runners were Sawyer Smith, Seth Tashney (third) and Vernon Farrar.        
Even though the best days are behind us, in terms of weather, there is still plenty of action on the links because the Dirigo and Mountain Valley golf teams remain in competition. The Cougars hosted the Falcons at Oakdale, it was actually a home away from home meet because both teams use the nine-hole course as its home base.
Dirigo has been paced by returning seniors Robbie Babb, Justin Chartier who have carried the load. But, the sledding has been tough because they go head to-head against opposing schools top players. Mitch Kubesh, Chantel Whitman have helped, while freshmen Gus Brown and Meaghan Kazregis are learning.                                                                                                         
"They are inexperienced, but they will make up with some natural talent," said Coach Seth Fournier.                                                               

MV coach Bob Fulton (eighth year) didn't lose anyone from last year's 3-7 team. Seniors are Sean Murphy, Steve Cureton, Adam Volkernick, Jon Petrie. Juniors are Trent Virgin and Milo Jodrey, with freshman Jeremy Petegrill.
The 2012 Dirigo baseball state championship team and the Cougars first-ever Western Regional champion softball team were each honored during halftime at the homecoming football game. They received proclamations from the Maine Senate and House of Representitives in Augusta. Rep. Sheryl Briggs and Sen. John Patrick read the documents to the respective team members.
The baseball team beat Calais in the state game; second in three years. The softball team beat Sacopee Valley in the regional final, but lost the state game.