Foxcroft Academy sports update (December 22)

michael pendriss2

Wrestling team looking like a force to be reckoned with

The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team had a terrific week, cruising past Dexter, PCHS, and Mattanawcook Academy at home on Wednesday before finishing first in a 22-team field at the Penobscot Valley High School Holiday Tournament on Saturday.

At Howland, Coach Luis Ayala’s Ponies scored 191.5 points, well ahead of second-place Dexter (147) and third-place Ellsworth (96). An impressive six Foxcroft wrestlers won their brackets: Antonio Ayala (120), Eli Olson (126), Isaac Whittemore (145), Brooks Law (152), Brandon Brock (195), and Connor Holmes (285). Four more Ponies–RJ Nelson (120), Conner Johnson (132), Billy Brock (182), and Michael Pendriss (220)–finished second while Cameron Cookson (third at 126) and Brandon Weston (fourth at 106) reached the finals of the consolation bracket.

Olson’s victory over Matt Webber of Dexter in the 126-pound final was the 100th of his career. As the referee raised Olson’s hand, the other wrestlers in the gym showed their respect for his achievement by gathering around the mat to congratulate him. As Olson walked off the mat, his teammates and family members all rushed forward to celebrate the accomplishment. “Eli is just a great kid,” said Coach Ayala. “He is a fighter that just never quits. He is a captain on the team and leads by example. He is one of the hardest workers in the wrestling room, always trying to get better.  I am just so happy for him.  He deserves it.”

The Ponies will compete against a very tough field at the Noble Invitational Tournament on December 29-30.

Photo of Michael Pendriss taken by Matthew Kim ’16. Click here to see more of Matthew’s work at Wednesday’s home meet.

kelly erickson

Track teams combine for 68 points at season-opening meet

The Foxcroft Academy boys’ indoor track team scored 42 points to place fourth out of seven teams at the season-opening PVC-Eastern Maine Indoor Track League Meet at the New Balance Field House in Orono on Saturday.

Pete Boyer won the shot put for the Ponies, who are coached by Graham Pearsall and Rob Weber. Cooper Nelson ran a 4:54.26 mile to finish second and was also runner up in the 800-meter run while Dylan Richards (fifth in the 55-meter dash) and Gabe Piquette (fifth in the 2-mile run) also made solid contributions in individual events.

In relay action, Kelly Erickson (pictured above), Piquette, Taylor Smith, and Paul Birtwistle took third in the 4×800 while Julian Zepeda, Richards, James Smith, and Jason Eubanks placed third in the 4×200.


The Foxcroft girls’ team scored 26 points to finish in sixth place. Fern Morrison edged Krystal Grant of Hampden to win the 400-meter dash, was runner up behind Mattanawcook’s Tia Tardy in the 800-meter run, and teamed with Erika Chadbourne, Desirae Brawn, and Jordan Thomas to place fourth in the 4×200-meter relay. Desiree Brawn earned four points with a fourth-place finish in the shot put.

Both teams will be back in action at the New Balance Field House on January 3.

Click here to see photos from the meet (taken by Fern Morrison ’15 and Camille Bozzelli ’17).

boys basketball team huddle

Ponies hold off Presque Isle for second win

The Foxcroft Academy boys’ basketball team bounced back from a 46-39 loss at Hermon on Wednesday with an impressive 54-38 victory over visiting Presque Isle Saturday afternoon. The Ponies are now 2-3 and hold the 12th spot in the Class B East Heal Point standings.

A pair of freshmen, Drew Dankert and Nick Clawson, sparked Coach Dave Carey’s Ponies against the Wildcats. Dankert knocked down four threes on his way to an 18-point, four-rebound afternoon while Clawson scored a career-high 12 points. Hunter Smith had 12 points and five rebounds, and Sean Cody was a force inside, pulling down 15 rebounds and scoring eight points. Dylan Harmon-Weeks added four points, seven rebounds, and two steals.

Smith led the way in the loss to Hermon with 17 points, four steals, and three rebounds. Cody had nine points and 10 rebounds, Harmon-Weeks had seven points and six rebounds, and Dankert scored six points.

The Ponies will be off until they play at Old Town on December 29 and will next play at home against John Bapst on January 3 at 7 pm .

Photo taken by Dan Decker ’13.

madison chadbourne

Chadbourne continues strong junior campaign

Foxcroft Academy junior forward Madison Chadbourne had an impressive week for the girl’s basketball team, leading the Ponies in scoring in losses to Hermon, unbeaten MDI, and unbeaten Presque Isle. One of five new starters for Coach Blake Smith’s very young team, Chadbourne scored 15 points in a 39-34 loss to Hermon, 11 points in an 80-37 loss at MDI, and 13 points to lead all scorers in a 56-32 loss to Presque Isle. Sophomore Abby Simpson also continues to show improvement, netting 10 points against MDI and eight against Hermon, while fellow sophomore Abbi Bourget scored seven points on Saturday.

The Ponies are 1-5 after a tough opening schedule and rank 12th in Class B East. They’ll square off against PCHS on the road on Saturday, December 27, and will next play at home on December 30 against Old Town at 7 pm.

Photo of Madison Chadbourne taken by Holly Ly ’15. Click here to see more of her work from Tuesday’s game.

avery carroll

Swimmers fall just short against John Bapst

In their second meet of the season, the Foxcroft Academy girls’ swimming team was edged 82-81 by John Bapst at the Dover-Foxcroft PRYMCA Friday evening.

Jenna Clukey won the 200-yard IM and the 100-yard butterfly, Julia Annis won the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke, and Avery Carroll won the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke. In relay action, Carroll, Julia Annis, Clukey and Jil Annis won the 200-yard medley; Jil Annis, Gabie Johnson, Chloe Waugh, and Julia Annis won the 200-yard freestyle; and Waugh, Johnson, Clukey, and Carroll won the 400-yard freestyle relay.


Leo Lai won the 50-yard freestyle and Clay Carroll won the 100-yard freestyle for the short-handed boys’ team, which was defeated 103-34.

The swimmers will next compete at Hamden Academy on January 2.

Photo of Avery Carroll taken by Jing Guo ’16.

Toby Nelson

About Toby Nelson

I am the Director of Communications at Foxcroft Academy.