A Maine tradition for many: The Beach to Beacon

Kristina Clarke

By Matt Pascarella

It’s almost here. The Beach to Beacon 10K race from Crescent Beach State Park in Cape Elizabeth to Fort Williams next to Portland Head Light is a must for experienced and novice runners the first Saturday in August every year. The Beach to Beacon website states, ‘the TD Bank Beach to Beacon attracts more than 6,500 runners making it the largest road race in Maine.’ A couple Windham runners have made the race a yearly must and love the challenge it presents.

Joan Benoit Samuelson, a Cape Elizabeth native was winner of the first ever women’s Marathon at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles. According to the Beach to Beacon website, Samuelson started the race in 1998 as the People’s Beach to Beacon to benefit children’s charities in Maine.

“I’ve always wanted to create a race that brings runners to some of my most favorite training grounds,” explained Samuelson “so that they can enjoy the same beautiful environment, sense of community and rich history that has played such an important role in my life.”

TD Bank helped skyrocket Samuelson’s efforts, making the Beach to Beacon a race that appeals to New Englanders and those around the globe.

This will be the fifth year Windham resident Kristina Clarke has run the Beach to Beacon. The registration process is an intense and aggressive process. You must be on right at 7 a.m. and the organizers only let a certain number of participants in. It sells out in four minutes. There is a lottery where those who don’t get in are picked later. Clarke said registration has gotten better, but the first three years were scary and hectic.

She runs the race with her brother-in-law, her niece, a friend of hers and a bunch of friends from her work. “There are people cheering the entire race which is not normal for a lot of the races that we do.”

Clarke stated that running is good therapy and something that makes her happy. It’s also something she can do with her son.

Jen VanDerburgh, a South Windham resident, will be running the Beach to Beacon for the seventh time.

Jen VanDerBurghwill 

In 2012, VanDerburgh started running; she’d never been a runner before. A coworker offered her a bib to run the Beach to Beacon, but VanDerburgh was hesitant. She didn’t do it and regretted it. 

Then, the first year she ran the Beach to Beacon, she was amazed. “There’s a big crowd, you feel like you’re doing this bigtime race, everyone’s cheering for you. It was awesome to cross that finish line.”

VanDerburgh wanted to run the Beach to Beacon better from year to year and the race eventually became a tradition. Her kids would do the fun run the night before.

Every year, it is something VanDerburgh doesn’t want to miss out on. She runs races all year long. She said running is something she does for herself; it keeps her in shape and feeling good. She likes to be an example for her kids and be healthy. “It’s a Maine tradition…it’s a good time” stated VanDerburgh.

“The energy is really crazy. It’s just fun, it’s one of the best races in Maine,” added Clarke.

Good luck to everyone running the Beach to Beacon this year!

Softball All-Stars leave it all on the field

Addison Caiazzo

By Matt Pascarella

This series started with twelve teams and Windham was one of the final two. In this double elimination tournament, the 9- and 10-year-old softball all-stars had lost one game. On Tuesday, July 9 in a tied game against South Portland, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Windham was able to hold off South Portland to win 5-4.

The Lady Eagles beat Westbrook 7-2 in the seventh inning to force a winner-take-all game for the championship. Windham played Westbrook at the South Portland Little League field on Monday, July 15^th.

The first inning the teams were evenly matched to start, with strong defense on Windham’s part. The Lady Eagles had quick hands and made smart plays to nab runners at first base. They were scoreless after one inning. Then scoreless after two innings.

In the bottom of the third, Westbrook managed to score a run, and Windham ended that inning with multiple Westbrook runners on base.

In the top of the fourth, Sarah Smyth, #16, got a triple and then Addison Caiazzo, #15, got a base hit; Smyth scored. Caiazzo stole her way to third and scored on a passed ball. 2-1, Windham.

Westbrook scored several runs in the bottom of the fourth and took a 6-2 lead.

The girls left it all on the field but weren’t able to catch Westbrook.

“The kids were fantastic,” replied coach Nick Caiazzo. “Throwing all kinds of different concepts at them this season. There was a lot of stuff that might have been uncomfortable for them, but they did not second guess or hesitate. They always did what the coaches asked and I’m proud of them. 

They’re a good group of kids. They are resilient kids; they try hard and that’s all that matters.”

Congratulations to Addison Caiazzo, Evelyn Anderson, Kiley Card, Cami Casserly, Ashley Cloutier, Liliana Gallagher, Lacie Higgins, Eliana Kostopolous, Neve Ledbetter, Kaylee Napolitano, Lucy Rich and Sarah Smyth on a fantastic all-star season.

The whole town is very proud and look forward to seeing you play in the future!

Softball wallop Hermon to become state champs

By Matt Pascarella

In a summer season and a tournament that showcased nothing but talent in the eleven and twelve-year-old girls that played on Windham’s all-star team, it all came down to this game. Saturday, July 13^th the team travelled to Glenburn to take on Hermon in the game to crown the Maine state softball champions.

(L to R): Back row - coaches: Shayne Bryant, Jason McLeod, Kregg Jarvais; Back row: Jaydn Kimball, Stella Jarvais, Kennedy Kimball, Hannah Lee, Lydia Marden, Sierra Sparrow; Front row: Oakley McLeod, Nola Bryant, Addison Leger, Bri Duarte, Caitlyn Marsh, Chloe Edwards, Alyssa Conley

Windham came out swinging...literally. Chloe Edwards, #14, walked and stole second, then third. Stella Jarvais, #9, got a base hit and stole her way to third. Edwards scored. Kennedy Kimball, #34, walked and immediately stole second; Jarvais stole home. Jaydn Kimball, #28, sent the ball into the outfield for a double. K. Kimball scored. Oakley McLeod, #2, walked; Hannah Lee, #10, bunted and the bases were loaded.

Caitlyn Marsh, #42, singled to left field. J. Kimball and McLeod scored. Bri Duarte, #3, bunted and took first. Edwards doubled to left field and brought in Lee and Marsh. Jarvais doubled to center and Edwards scored. K. Kimball singled and brought in Jarvais. After one inning, Windham led 9-0.

The bottom of the first brought four batters to the plate and sent three away, leaving a runner on base at the end of the inning.

The Lady Eagles kept the hits coming in the second. Lydia Marden, #11, walked. Then, Addison Leger, #99, was hit by a pitch. Pinch runner Alyssa Conley, #26, in for Leger. Edwards reached first on a passed ball/dropped third strike. Conley and Marden both scored. Jarvais singled to left field and brought in Edwards.

Windham brought three batters to the plate and sent three batters away in the bottom of the second.

There was no stopping Windham in the top of the third. Lee walked. Conley singled, Marsh got a base hit. Lee scored. Conley scored on a passed ball. Duarte singled and brought home Marsh.

Two strikeouts a walk and another strikeout and the Lady Eagles are undefeated and Maine state champions!

Final 15-0

“I almost wanted them to slow down and enjoy the moment, but they are so focused,” commented coach Kregg Jarvais. “I think that they really care for each other and they wanted to do it for themselves. The best thing about this is just being a part of it; trying to steer them in a direction that is positive, they have a good experience, and they have fun.”

The team travels to Bristol, Connecticut to play their first game of the Regional Tournament of the Little League World Series on Saturday, June 20.

Good luck ladies!

Windham shuts down Medomak early in tournament

Caitlyn Marsh

By Matt Pascarella

The District 6 11 and 12-year-old softball Maine state tournament began this week with Windham facing off against Medomak in game one. The game took place in Glenburn on Sunday, July 7^th.

The Lady Eagles started strong in the first inning, with Chloe Edwards, #14, scoring after Stella Jarvais, #9, got a hit.

Medomak sent three batters to the plate in the top of the third inning, Windham sent those three batters back to the dugout.

Windham continued to put runs up on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Sierra Sparrow, #21, walked. Jarvais got a base hit and Sparrow scored. Kennedy Kimball, #34, smashed the ball getting a triple and bringing in Jarvais. Oakley McLeod, #2, got a base hit and brought in Kimball.

4-0 Windham after three innings.

The Lady Eagles had the momentum going and didn’t let up. In the fourth, Caitlyn Marsh, #42, got a base hit. Windham was doing well advancing closer to home as many players stole multiple bases throughout the game. Lydia Marden, #11, got a single and Marsh scored. Edwards also singled and Marden scored again. Jarvais got a base hit and brought in Edwards. Before the inning was over, Jarvais stole her way to third and then stole home.

In the fifth, Marsh got on base on a passed ball. She stole her way to third and stole home.

Final: 9-0, Windham

Kennedy Kimball threw a perfect game – 17 strikeouts, no baserunners, no walks.

“We got some girls who had some pretty good at bats who haven’t had a lot of at bats, so I was pretty happy to see that,” commented coach Kregg Jarvais. “We’ve done a good job preparing, I think we’re ready to go.”

Softball All-Star beat South Portland in true definition of barn burner

Sarah Smyth

By Matt Pascarella

The nine and ten-year-old softball all-star team travelled on Tuesday, July 9^th to play South Portland in a tournament game to determine who will play Westbrook for the District 6 championship.

Windham started strong when Cami Casserly, #8, singled in the first and stole her way to third. She stole home shortly after. 1-0 Windham.

South Portland answered back and scored in the bottom of the first tying the game at one.

Windham’s strong defense stopped several runners in scoring positions.

In the fifth inning, South Portland managed to get a run in and take the lead, 2-1.

In the sixth, Casserly bunted and got on base. She scored to tie the game at two and forced the bottom of the sixth inning.

Windham’s defense stayed solid as they brought three South Portland players to the plate in the bottom of the sixth and sent three South Portland players back to the dugout.

The game headed into extra innings and tension was palpable. The seventh inning passed and still the score remained tied.

At the start of the eighth inning, a runner was placed on second base. Windham’s defense did a stellar job and held South Portland’s runner at second; eventually they threw that runner out at third. Windham ended the inning with South Portland runners on second and third.

As tensions rose with stomachs knotted, the game headed into the ninth inning. Eliana Kostopolous, #5, was placed at second. Casserly got a base hit and Kostopolous advanced to third. Sarah Smyth, #16, got a single on a bunt. Bases loaded. Addison Caiazzo, #15, got a base hit and Kostopolous scored. 3-2, Windham.

But the Lady Eagles weren’t done. Casserly advanced to third. Smyth was at second. Casserly stole home and Smyth stole third. Caiazzo stole second. Smyth stole home. Caiazzo made it to third. 5-2, Windham.

Bottom of the ninth. A runner on second – this reporter is tense just reliving the details. South Portland scored. Then the first out, then the second out. South Portland scored again. The tying run was on second. Strike one. Strike two. One strike away...and STRIKE THREE!

WINDHAM WINS!!! Final: 5-4.

“The kids showed great perseverance; they’re tough kids,” commented coach Nick Caiazzo. “It doesn’t matter what happened to them in the game previous, they do a really good job. They stayed positive, they rooted for each other, pulled for each other, which is really, really cool to see. They put in a lot of great time, energy and effort.”

Windham All-Stars show Scarborough they have what it takes

Joshua Tom

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham eleven and twelve-year-old boys’ little league baseball all-star team took on Scarborough Monday, June 24^th at the Westbrook Little League Field.

Scarborough had first ups and while they did manage to score one run, Windham played smart and left a Scarborough runner stranded on third base at the end of the inning.

In the top of the second, Windham’s strong defense was just starting as these all-stars threw a runner out at second base and snagged a pop fly.

The bottom of the second brought Windham being watchful of pitches, careful to not just swing at anything.

Windham’s defense continued to be solid with shortstop Grant Coppi, #66, nabbing the ball to get the second out of the inning. Scarborough was getting the hits, but Windham was right there preventing several scoring opportunities for the Thunder, throwing runners out all over the infield, with pitcher Connor Gallant’s, #15, quick reflexes grabbing several line drives.

The bottom of the third brought Windham answering offensively. Conor Janvrin, #9, gets on base after a dropped third strike allows him enough time to get to first. He quickly steals second, third and home, 4-1, Scarborough.

The following inning brought three Scarborough batters to the plate and sent three back to the dugout.

Joshua Tom, #35, ripped a line drive right up the middle of the field, for a base hit. After Coppi and Cameron Davis, #23, walked, the bases were loaded. Windham was ready to capitalize on any mistake Scarborough made; and did so seconds later when a passed ball gave Tom the opportunity to steal home, 4-2 Scarborough.

The fifth inning for Scarborough was another three batters up, three batters down.

The same thing happened to Scarborough in the sixth inning – Windham held them right where they were.

With Windham’s last chance to score, the guys really gave it their all. In the bottom of the sixth, they put the ball in play more than once, but didn’t make it on base.

Final: 4-2, Scarborough

“We didn’t quit at all; we were swinging right towards the end,” commented coach Pat Noonan. “We tried to get on base any way we could. The team looks good; we’re making all the plays. Defensively we weren’t making many mistakes...it could have gone either way.”

Windham working on skills and having fun in preparation for season

Lexi Hirning

By Matt Pascarella

The JV and varsity girls’ basketball teams travelled to Scarborough to take on the Thunder on Tuesday, June 25^th.

JV

Windham took an early lead, coming out aggressive, with excellent passing and really putting the pressure on Scarborough. The game was close, with Scarborough just a point behind, but the Lady Eagles were taking multiple shots on basket, resulting in Windham’s lead getting bigger. The Lady Eagles were capitalizing on turnovers and rebounds, working hard to be first to ball.

Half: 16-8, Windham

Windham’s lead only increased in the second half. They continued pressuring, moving the ball around well and getting rebounds. With a little under nine minutes left, The Lady Eagles were up by 20. Their strong offense and defense gave them a substantial win.

Final: 40-17, Windham

“They distribute the ball well; they’re more about team than individuals; they’re going to be fun to watch,” remarked coach Mike Flanders.

Varsity

Windham came out aggressive and was moving the ball around nicely. Scarborough had jumped to a small, but early lead. The Lady Eagles were snagging rebounds and taking multiple shots on basket.

Half: 25-12, Scarborough

The Lady Eagles were working hard to be first to the ball and were succeeding. Their defense slowed Scarborough down in the second half. Windham continued being aggressive and pressuring. The Lady Eagles began to close the points gap and were within 11 points of the lead with a little over four minutes left in the game.

Scarborough managed to hold onto the lead and took this one 37-24.

“Our focus this summer is coming together as a team and playing well together,” explained coach Brody Artes. “I thought we did a really good job defensively. The kids are working hard for the next game and the season in general.”