Orono High Athletics

Orono, ME- Injuries can happen in everyday life, but in sports the chances are multiplied tenfold. Orono High School is not new this fact as this year has proven to have had its share. A school that participates in Boys and Girls Hockey, Soccer and football, sports that are fast paced and involve a high level of contact.

Orono High has a resource that is invaluable in school sports, an athletic trainer that is on staff. Other schools ask for help and advice as many in the area do not have a trainer on staff or at sporting events. With help from physical education teachers, an athletic trainer that can quickly respond to injuries on the field of play, students are able to perform at a high level and assess and recover quickly from injuries.

Leslie Winchester and Jacklyn Tourtelotte, physical education teacher and Athletic trainer respectively, both agree that growing females are at a high risk for knee injuries because of genetics and the growing bone structure. Though females suffer joint injuries more frequently males are at a higher risk because of the contact sports.

Stressing the importance of stretching and conditioning of all muscle groups is a key component in developing a healthy and toughened athlete. Principal of Orono High, Jim Chasse, believes that many athletes only look to training for one sport which may only work a small portion of muscles. Cross training for other sports and have a workout regiment that targets more parts of the body will help growing Athletes excel on the field and continue to grow into a healthy body.

Athletes are always at risk and realize that when they sign up. Dynamic and proper stretching can be a preventative of minor injuries while immediate and proper care can help in dealing with these injuries from happening again and allowing the athlete not to miss their next game.

For more information on Orono High school and the faculty click here
For information on dynamic stretching click here

Expectations high as UMaine Men’s side prepare for season

The Men’s basketball team’s annual Blue/White gave those in attendance a chance to see one of the most anticipated teams in years.

Ever since the heart breaking loss to New Hampshire in the first round of the America East playoffs in Hartford last March, Maine has been edging towards the 2010-11 season with great optimism. The Black Bears return four of their five starters, as only Junior Bernal was lost to graduation. Maine last season finished with a record of 19-11, and earned their third highest win total in the team’s history. Finishing the season tied for third with Boston University gave Maine a taste of winter sport success usually reserved for hockey, but this is year the Black Bears need to make the big step forward.

The scrimmage allowed the first public look of this year’s edition of the team, and also gave a sneak peak into the two lone newcomers to the squad. The first is Raheem Singleton, a 6-0, 185 pound point guard transfer from Monroe Community College. Singleton is a very quick player with solid ball handling skills that is looking to fill the vacated spot in Black Bear’s starting line-up. He also has a good three point shot and should be competing with Junior Andrew Rodgers for time at point.

Also joining the squad is Alasdair Fraser, a 6-7 forward that hails from Falkirk, Scotland. Fraser is a solid force inside that will give Maine some much needed depth underneath the basket. He played for Scotland in the European U-18 Champions where he lead the tournament with a 20.6 point per game average.

Along with the newcomers, fans were able to catch a glimpse of Maine bred Seniors Troy Barnies (Auburn, ME) and Sean McNally (Gardiner, ME). McNally, a third team all conference member will be the player at the center position for the Black Bears and is a force inside averaging 7.4 rebounds per game. Barnies also provides some size underneath, but also possesses some range from beyond the arch. Both will be influential leaders on this team.

The marquee player for Maine though is the San Diego, California native Gerald McLemore. Named to the America East First Team All Conference last year, McLemore averaged 14.6 points and started all 30 games for Maine last season. He was also deadly from three land, as he finished second in the country with 102 three pointers made.

Also expected to make big impacts for Maine are Murphy Burnatowski (Waterloo, ON) and Terrance Mitchell (Milton, FL). Burnatowski possesses the size to play the forward position, but has the three point prowess to make a perfect guard option. He was named to the conference All Rookie Team, and along with Fraser and fellow Canadian Mike Allison, he has international basketball experience playing for his countriy. Mitchell is another tremendous option to drain some threes for Maine this season and can also handle the ball if needed. The Senior transfer from Faulkner State Community College will also be big for Maine late in games as he’s a 77% shooter from the charity stripe.

Rounding out the rest of the squad are Allison and Svetoslav Chetinov (Plovdiv, Bulgaria) who should be able to spell McNally and Barnies as big men off the bench. Allison also tipped in the game winner in the upset of Boston University in the waning seconds. Maine also has senior guard Malachi Peay (Queens, NY), UMass transfer Travon Wilcher , and Bangor native Jon McAllian to provide much needed depth to the line-up.


Expectations are sky high, as they should be, for Maine this season as they look for their first appearance in the NCAA tournament. Sporting News recently picked Maine to win in their preseason rankings. The Black Bears aren’t letting the press get to them though, they’re just ready to get to the hardwood.

Maine will have an exhibition in Orono this Saturday against Cape Breton before opening their regular season at Utah Valley. The Black Bears will play some tough out of conference games against Maryland, Penn State, and Notre Dame. Conference play begins January 2nd against coaches’ poll favorite Boston University.
Blue/White Scrimmage Statistics- Points- Singleton (14), Mitchell (14), Barnies (9), Fraser (8), McNally (6), Allison (6), Peay (3), McLemore (2), Rodgers (2), Chetinov, McAllian, Wilcher. FT% 21-25

Bryan Stackpole is the play by play voice for UMaine basketball on WMEB 91.9 FM, Orono, Maine. WMEB can be heard on 91.9 FM and streaming on www.wmeb.fm. 91.9 FM is the only commercial free broadcast of UMaine sports. The first Men’s game on WMEB can be heard Nov. 19th at 7:00 p.m. against UMaine Machias.

Black Bears maul #2 North Dakota in series opener

Alfond Arena sounded more like it was hosting a brass concert than a hockey game with all of the horns that sounded off during this out of conference contest.

The Black Bears came ready to defend their turf against the then undefeated Fighting Sioux. Maine struck early and often as they ousted North Dakota 7-3. Gustav Nyquist scored his first goal of the season and had two assists, while Brian Flynn notched two power play goals. Sophomore Shawn Sirman also picked up his second victory on the year.

Senior forward Robby Dee netted a goal just 43 seconds into the game to give Maine the early lead. This was just a foreshadowing of things to come, as just over two minutes later, Flynn punched the net with Maine’s second goal. The offensive onslaught would not let up, as once again Flynn would score a power play goal. Flynn’s strike was then followed by a goal by both Will O’Neal and Nyquist, all happening in the first period. The five goals would be enough to oust the Sioux, but the Black Bears would push two more across in the second, off the sticks of Kyle Beattie and captain Tanner House.

After Maine’s second game with seven or more goals this season, they now boast the top four point scorers in the conference, while Spencer Abbott leads in points (9) and is tied for first in goals (4).

Sirman picked up the win saving 19 of 22 shots. North Dakota would however score three by way of Derek Rodwell (1st), Matt Frattin (2nd), and Brad Malone (3rd).

The Sioux looked unready for the Alfond faithful and the rested Black Bears, but they should be well adjusted for the second game tonight. The Mainiacs were rowdy all night as North Dakota had to change net minders after nine plus minutes when Brad Eidness had given up three goals on five shots. Chants of ‘this is our house’, rang throughout the 33 year old building as Maine looked more like the second best team in NCAA than the Sioux.

This victory for Maine will bring up a very exciting game two in the series, as North Dakota will be hungry for a win a salvage their 1,500 mile trip to Orono. One thing is for sure though, Maine looks ready to put up some big numbers at home this season. With that in mind, be sure you make the trip up to watch them whenever you can.

Bryan Stackpole is the sports director and a play-by-play announcer for WMEB 91.9 FM, Orono, ME. He is the voice of UMaine football, basketball, and baseball. You can listen to game two of the Maine vs. North Dakota series, live on 91.9 FM and streaming at www.wmeb.fm. WMEB is your only commercial free home of UMaine hockey and sports all season long.

The Axemen Get Cut Down

The Black Bears had their first exhibition game on Sunday afternoon. Normally a game of Blue and White as the team competes against itself, the Black Bears chose to take on another Canadian opponent. Last year, Maine played the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds. The Reds were undefeated only losing to the Portland Pirates, Maine's AHL team and farm team of the Buffalo Sabres. The Black Bears were able to take a victory, but not without their share of penalty minutes and bruises. The Canadian teams, though college, wear half shields and are allowed to drop the gloves and take a fiver without further consequences. This is not so with NCAA rules and apparently someone forgot to mention that to the Acadia Axemen last evening.
The Black Bears started strong netting a goal by Junior Defenseman, Will O'Neil midway through the first. The Amemen came out not looking for goals, but for damage. Throwing the bodies and high hits caused the Axemen to have an accumulation of 30 penalties for 130 minutes with 5 game misconducts. The Black Bears proved they care more about winning and focusing on their game then trying to mix it up with players who were bigger and older.
The rookies proved that they want a roster spot this year and set out to do just that. Kelen Corkum , the freshman forward playing on the fifth line in the exhibition scored Maine's second goal and first of the second period with help from rookies Jon Sawvely and Brice O'Connor, who at 5-10 took on the larger offensemen he faced with ease. Dan Sullivan, the rookie between the pipes, looked decent in the latter part of the game only allowing 1 goal passed him in the third period when the game was out of reach for the Axemen. Shawn Sirman, the Sophmore from Ontario who had a rough season last year as a freshie, looked solid, comfortable and very calm in net making it seem like he will be the go to netminder for the Black Bears while rookie Martin Ouellette is sidelined with a lingering injury that will have him out for a bit.
The first line of the Black Bears remains in its old form with the slight jersey alteration of the Swedish Sensation Gustav Nyquist being the second Alternate Captain for the team along with Jeff Dimmen. There is no question why Nyquist would be given the A from last years performance leading the league in points and being a sophomore in the Hobey Hat trick and only beaten out by the senior Blake Geoffrion of Wisconsin. The Black Bears look in mid season form already and look to take on the UMass-Lowell Riverhawks in the season opener on Saturday Oct. 8th and face the UConn Huskies the following night. You can hear all the action on WMEB 91.9 fm at 6:30pm with myself and Steve Ventresca making the calls live at the Alfond.

Black Bear Football Opener

UMaine Football Opener

The Black Bears have a record of 1-1 after losing their opener to U of Albany and beating Monmouth next week. This weekend they take on Big East opponent Syracuse at the Carrier Dome for the second year in a row.



Click here for more information on the Colonial Athletic Association

-Frank DiGiacomo

Black Bears can't Juice the Orange

The UMaine Black Bears took on Big East Opponent Syracuse Orange in a Saturday night football match-up. The Black Bears lost last year against the same team at the same venue, the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The last meeting ended 41-24 for the Orange and yesterday was no different. The Black Bears drew first blood score 7 on a rush by the Quarterback Warren Smith who ran up for the middle for 10 yards and the score. Syracuse struck back to tie the game up in the second quarter on a Ryan Nassib pass to wide out Alec Lemon. At the end of the half the Black Bears trailed by three with the score 17-14 in favor of the Orange. This is a switch from last year where the Black Bears led at half with Syracuse winning , this year they try to turn the tables and use the formula that Syracuse used last year. This was not to happen as Syracuse used the second half to rack up the points scoring 2 TDs in the 3rd and a solo touchdown in the 4th ending the game 38-14. The Syracuse Defense stood tall only allowing three first downs in the second half.

Warren Smith only threw for 157 yards and a TD as well as a rushing touchdown while his counterpart, Ryan Nassib, went 19 for 28 with 260 yards and a stunning 5 touchdown passes. The returning star half back for the Black Bears, Jared Turcotte, after running rampant against Monmouth was only held to 56 yards with 13 carries. Delone Carter only had 65 yards for Syracuse on the ground. The rush defense for both teams kept the offenses at bay and forced their game to the air. The bright spots in this game for the Black Bears can be seen in their fourth down efficiency, 3 for 5, and their time of possession, 34 minutes to Syracuse's 25.

The Black Bears were expected to lose to such a tough opponent, but will look forward taking on CAA rival William and Mary at Morse Field. The Black Bears are sitting at 1-2 and look to go to .500 this weekend.

-Frank DiGiacomo

Journalist Integrity- Bud Poliquin Has None

Since I am trying to be a journalist/broadcaster I feel I should take time to look at someone who is published and viewed as a legitimate journalist, but is far removed from being an influence of mine. Bud Poliquin, unknown to most people in the northeast area, actually unknown to anyone outside of sports or outside of the Syracuse-Upstate New York area. He is a writer who covers Syracuse sports in the paper, blogs and was even given a radio show. Syracuse is known for their broadcasters and they let this guy on the radio, how did that happen? The only reason I know of this fellow journalist is because Maine played Syracuse two years in a row in football as and last year in Basketball and I had the unfortunate luck to read a column by him regarding the games. He may seem like a homer, boosting the home team in the eyes of the reader and always siding with them, and he may seem rude and a blithering idiot, but it has people talking about him so I guess he is doing something right or views himself as the sports version of Glenn Beck. The reason his posts disturb me so much is because he is employed in a field I hope to work in, which makes my dreams seem that much more attainable. I have attached some posts from ol' Bud so everyone can take a look at how ridiculous he seems. He gives no credit, no objective opinion, never fair and balanced and makes ridiculous claims that only further the statement that Buddy boy is terrible and the people of Syracuse are fed garbage on a daily basis about their college sports. Bud, you look pretty old so I don't know if you are going senile or really have no grasp on reality, but how about you put the pen down and retire. I'm sure a harding working student from SU would gladly take over your position if not for a job than to save what little common sense there is about college sports that is left in your industrious city. C'est la vie Bud, we wish you the best.
-Frank DiGiacomo