Both home teams emerged victorious as Dexter Regional High School hosted regional rival Penquis Valley High School in a girls/boys doubleheader on the court on Thursday, Jan. 18. The Tiger girls won 53-46 and the Dexter boys earned a 59-30 victory.

The Foxcroft Academy indoor track and field team was in action on Jan. 15 in a Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League meet -- rescheduled from two days prior due to the weather -- at the University of Maine. Both Pony teams would finish sixth among six schools taking part.

HOULTON — Joseph Cyr of the Houlton Pioneer Times, a contributor to the Piscataquis Observer over the years, has been selected as the Maine winner of the National Sports Media Association Sportswriter of the Year award.

BANGOR -- Husson University women’s basketball freshman Megan Peach, a resident of Garland and a 2017 graduate of Dexter Regional High School, was selected as the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Rookie of the Week for the week ending Jan. 14.

Dexter won by a final score of 60-44 to improve to 7-2 at the midway point of the 2017-18 season. The victory gave the Tigers a season sweep of the Wolverines (who fell to 3-7) as Dexter won in East Millinocket 56-43 on Dec. 15.

RJ Nelson is a senior wrestler at Foxcroft Academy. He is a team captain and wrestles at 132 pounds. On Jan. 6 the Pony wrestling team competed at the Warrior Clash at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport. Nelson would not only become a tournament champion, but he also reached an incredible milestone by winning his 150th career match.

The Foxcroft Academy swim team was on the road Jan. 12 with a dual meet against Ellsworth High School. The Pony girls fell by a score of 114-38 and the host Eagle boys won 129-22.

The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team continues on its grueling schedule. This time the wrestlers traveled to Newport on Jan. 6 to compete at the Warrior Clash at Nokomis High School.

The Foxcroft Academy indoor track and field team was in action on Jan. 6 at an Eastern Maine Indoor Track League/Penobscot Valley Conference meet at the University of Maine. No Pony athletes recorded points but four finished in the top 20 in their respective events.

Foxcroft Academy boys soccer and wrestling coach Luis Ayala, who teaches health and physical education at the secondary school, was recognized as the U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach on Jan. 4 during the 11th annual Under Armour All-American Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Do you love this winter weather? Are you looking forward to spending some time with family and friends snowmobiling, cooking hot dogs and marshmallows over the open fire, maybe a game of Nerf football while the ice fishing traps lie in wait for that big ole togue? If so, then you need to get your ticket for the 11th annual Moosehead Togue Derby that runs from Jan 26-28. There is no better place to spend a family weekend than the shores of Maine’s largest lake and it’s a great chance to win some spectacular prizes.

The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team joined some of the top teams from across Maine and schools from throughout New England at the Noble Invitational on Dec. 29-30. The Ponies tallied 111 points to place seventh out a field of nearly 40 teams at the competition, the second highest finish for Class B schools and highest among those from Class B North.

Riding an ATV behind an 18-dog team, Ashley Patterson navigated a network of unplowed logging roads on Dec. 20, in Shirley, cruising over a fluffy layer of fresh snow. The team covered more than 20 miles that day, which was just a short distance in the scheme of things. After all, they were practicing for an upcoming 100-mile race, followed by a 70-mile race and 250-mile race later in the season.

The Foxcroft Academy swim team took part in a dual meet on the road against Old Town High School on Dec. 29. The Pony girls fell by a score of 92-63 and the Foxcroft boys lost to Old Town 90-43.

On Dec. 21 Foxcroft Academy wrestling had its home opener, hosting Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln and neighboring Piscataquis Community High School. Earlier in the season Mattanawcook beat Foxcroft at the Penobscot Valley High School Tournament, so the Ponies had something to prove.

The Dexter Regional High School girls basketball team has a new look this season. It is a building year for the defending Class C North titlists, who wound up 16-7 a year ago.

Leading by 11 early in the fourth quarter, Piscataquis Community High School would see its advantage drop to zero during a Class C North girls basketball contest against Searsport District High School on Dec. 20. The visiting Vikings would tie the game at 26 but PCHS had a 4-2 advantage in the last near three minutes to escape with a 30-28 victory.

For the eighth consecutive year, the Boston Red Sox Foundation is seeking submissions from inspiring senior students, who are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities, for the New England Red Sox Service Scholarship. Thirty two high schools across Maine have been chosen to take part, including Dexter Regional High School, Greenville High School and Penquis Valley High School.