Cheverus’ Durgin wins New England cross country meet

Cheverus sophomore standout Emily Durgin, on the heels of leading the Stags to the school’s first-ever girls’ state championship in any sport, turned heads again Saturday at the New England championship in Manchester, Conn., winning the race with a time of 18 minutes, 35 seconds on the 5-kilometer course. Cheverus placed fifth as a team, with Fiona Hendry (sixth), Liana Rubinoff (23rd), Amelia Lundkvist (66th) and Maddie Woods (126th) rounding out the scorers. The Waynflete girls, the Class C champions, wound up 30th. Amy Allen (109th), individual Class C champion Martha Veroneau (124th), Emily Trafton (203rd), Grace High (204th) and Catherine Veroneau (205th) also scored. Deering sophomore Ella Ramonas, running as an individual, had the 148th-best time.
In the boys’ competition, Class A champion Cheverus tied Canton, Conn., for 13th. Jack Terwilliger (17th), Andrew Snyder (58th), Taylor Dundas (70th), Tim Woods (93rd) and Lukas Temple (137th) were the scorers.

Gordon stepping down as Deering field hockey coach

Andrew Gordon, the longtime field hockey at Deering High School, stepped down following the Rams loss at Thornton Academy in last month’s Western Class A preliminary round. Gordon went 118-64-17 in his 13 seasons, including a Western A regional title in 2003. Deering was 7-6-2 this fall, a mark which included a rare victory at rival/nemesis Sanford.
“There are several reasons, but the most important is to enable me to create a program that starts girls playing in the elementary grades, maybe as young as third,” said Gordon, a native of England, who also coaches girls’ lacrosse and teaches social studies at Deering. “I’ll miss it very much, although I’ll still have lacrosse to coach, but I will be very involved in (field hockey). I may referee and will probably work with elite programs in due course as well. Beating Sanford down there was about as good as it’s got in recent years, so was a kind of deciding factor on making it this year for sure.”

Red Claws to benefit “Play It Smart”

The Maine Red Claws will hold an intrasquad scrimmage at the Portland Expo Sunday at 7 p.m. to benefit the Portland High “Play It Smart” program, a national program committed to improving the academic performance of high school student-athletes from economically disadvantaged areas. Tickets are $5. FMI, phsbulldogs.com.

Maine Baseball Hall of Fame taking nominations

The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, founded in 1969, is seeking nominations for its 2010 induction class. Players, coaches, umpires, organizers and benefactors from all corners of the state who have achieved prominence in, or made valuable contributions to, baseball in Maine, will be considered.
Send nominations (with a resume) before Dec. 4 to:
Maine Baseball Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 1062
Yarmouth, ME 04096

Sea Dogs pitcher offering clinic

Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Ryne Lawson will present a pitching clinic Saturday at the Falmouth Middle School gym. The 8-12 year old session goes from 6 to 7 p.m. A 13-18 year old clinic runs from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. The cost is $20. FMI, 318-6056 or matthew.rogers@ubs.com.

Thanksgiving Day race upcoming

The 28th running of the Portland Thanksgiving Day 4-miler will begin at 9 a.m., Nov. 26. There will also be a Kids’ 4K starting at 8:30 a.m. This year’s food drive recipient will be Project Feed. FMI, gtowle@usm.maine.edu.

Portland/Deering fundrasier dance upcoming

An Alumni and Friends Sports Fundraiser Dance will be held Friday, Nov. 27 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the newly renovated Italian Heritage Center, with proceeds benefitting the Portland and Deering’s athletic departments. The band Color Blind, featuring three Portland High graduates, will be special guests. Tickets are $15 apiece. Anyone 21 and over is welcome. FMI, 797-6803 or 871-0090.

Casco Bay Sports presents November Sports Leagues

Casco Bay Sports is offering several co-ed sports leagues this month. Sunday Evening Basketball and Monday Night Bowling are underway. Wednesday Dodgeball starts Nov. 18. Sunday Evening Indoor Soccer commences Nov. 22, as does Sunday Morning Floor Hockey. FMI, cascobaysports.com.

MPS to join Premier Developmental League

Maine Premier Soccer will join the United Soccer Leagues Premier Developmental League, the top U-23 men’s pro-amateur league in North America, for the 2010 season. As part of Maine Premier Soccer, the PDL franchise will take the field under the MPS Portland Phoenix moniker and will be coached by general manager and former Cape Cod Crusaders PDL head coach, Paul Baber. FMI, 878-5780 or mainepremiersoccer.com.