Sports Desk

This season, Mountain Valley graduate Ryan Laubauskas is enjoying his time on the football team at Saint Joseph's College in Indiana, where he starts at offensive center for the Division II Pumas, who had won three of their first five games.

The record stands out because St. Joes compiled a 2-8 mark in 2011. Laubauskas, a 6-foot, 284-pound junior, had started every game this fall after having started five games last fall.

The criminal justice major still has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining because he redshirted (sat out the 2010 season). The former Falcon was a three-sport student-athlete (football, basketball and baseball). He was a standout two-way lineman on Mountain Valley's Class B state championship football teams in 2008 and 2010.

River Valley residents Billy Nicols and Gunnar Bradbury both ran in the Maine Marathon on Sept. 30. The 26.2 mile course was a qualifier for the 2012 Boston Marathon. Nicols ran a clean race and finished at 3:28:48 to qualify for Boston again. Bradbury, the cross-country coach at Dirigo, wasn't so fortunate. He had been running on pace, however, he developed leg cramps around 16 miles and despite stopping to stretch/walk it off, he fell shy of the necessary qualifying time with a time of 3:34:09.

Also running in the Maine Marathan were Shawn Daley (3:55:50) and Sam Dunn (4:13:33). Locals running the half-marathon were Jeff Arsenault (1:37:42) and Ryanne Brown (1:55:35)

In a case of controlling their own destiny, the Dirigo girls' soccer team will need to win out and receive help to move up to get a home playoff game. They are in a three-way battle with Hall Dale and Wiscasset for Heal points the rest of the way. Goalie Tasha Deroche has three shutouts and has allowed just one goal in six other games.

"Last but not least when there is scoring threat, I wouldn’t choose any other keeper I’ve seen over Natasha," said Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin. The team has been faced with adversity, with a rash of injuries Kayla Gaudin (knee), Ambyr Wilson (thigh), Lauren Henderson (thigh) and Kenzie Lord (concussion). In the meantime, the depth has helped, with Megan Bradbury (two goals) at forward and midfielder Kaitlin Morang (two goals).

Summer Keim has come off the bench and contributed to the offense in several games. Destiny Newton (one goal) has been a regular starter when they play three up and goes well at mid as well – Gabby Scott has come on strong filling on D and has scored one from stopper.

"Bryce Parent has been steady at full and sweeper," said Chamberlin, which allows Gaudin to move-up for a 4- 4-2. ''Lindsy Crutchfield (two goals, five assists) supports Natalie Bolduc (21 goals) and the other forwards."

Sabrina Daoud (freshman) has been solid at forward and half. Michelle Morrison has become the enforcer at center-MF. Sam Morse and Gretchen Bradbury both are solid defenders and Wilson controls the middle defensively and starts the counter attack.