Foxcroft Academy inducts class
Six join 2016 Hall of Fame
By Toby Nelson
Foxcroft Academy Director of Communications
DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Sept. 30 the sixth class of Foxcroft Academy Athletic Hall of Fame their families and guests came together for the 2016 dinner and induction ceremony. Over the first five years, the Hall of Fame committee has added 38 members.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
HALL OF FAME PONIES — The 2016 inductees into the Foxcroft Academy Athletic Hall of Fame were honored at halftime during the Sept. 30 football game. From left are Karen Blodgett Baker ‘68, David Ingraham ‘75, Vanessa Lougee ‘10, Jennifer Michaud Finch ‘94, Tracy London Cushman ‘92 and Jeffrey “JD” Decker Merrill ‘86.
This year, six new inductees were honored before the Homecoming football game. This year’s class includes:
From the Class of 1968, Karen Blodgett Baker. Karen grew up in the time before Title IX and before many sports were offered in which girls could participate. Karen made the most of what was offered at the time.
She was a two-sport standout in basketball and softball, the only two interscholastic sports available for girls. Her 1966-67 basketball team coached by fellow Hall of Famer Susan Stitham, finished the season undefeated at 16-0. There were no MPA regional or state tournaments at the time for girls. They were Penquis League champions, something Karen and the whole team were proud of accomplishing. During that 1966-67 season, Karen scored 50 points in a game against PCHS. At that time, that total tied a state record.
In softball she was a standout at the plate and in the field, playing second base and pitching. She was an overall great athlete. Stitham has said that if girls sports were covered in that day like they are now, the last name Blodgett would have first been known for Karen and not Cindy at Lawrence High School some 25 years later.
Karen fondly remembers her time at FA and was proud to be on a championship team that learned new rules on the fly as girls basketball was starting to evolve into what we know now.
From the Class of 1975, David Ingraham. David was a three-sport athlete competing as the quarterback on the football team, point guard on the basketball team, and catcher for the Pony baseball team. He was a member of the All-Penquis League team in baseball and on the LTC All-Conference team as a quarterback in football.
His overall records on the field were good, but the numbers on his basketball team are things that hometown legends are made of. In 1974-75, David was a main cog in the Ponies wheel that brought home gold. Using his “quarterback” mind, David was the point guard and main defender for Coach Skip Hanson. He averaged about five points per game his senior season, but where he was needed was as a ball handler and defender. That is where he thrived.
With his help, Foxcroft avenged a loss a year earlier to Orono in the Eastern Maine finals and then went on to win the 1975 state final in Augusta. It’s still the lone basketball Gold Ball in the trophy case. David credits his coaches, Skip Hanson and Dennis Kiah as teachers who helped mold him during his high school years.
From the Class of 1986, Jeffrey Decker (JD) Merrill. JD was a standout in every sport in which he was involved; football, basketball and baseball. During his sophomore season, the Pony football team won the Class D state championship after being runners-up his freshman year. Over his four years on the gridiron, JD became an all-conference tight end and defensive end, helping the Ponies to many victories.
His baseball team won the Penquis League championship during his senior year where he was the team’s MVP. During his junior year, he lead the team with a .444 batting average and leading in almost all offensive categories. His basketball success came on the court as he helped the Ponies to the playoffs during his junior and senior seasons, making it the the Class C semifinals. He was a county all-star on several occasions, voted most improved player his sophomore season, and won the team spirit award his senior year.
After his days at FA, JD went on to play basketball and rugby at Colby College in Waterville. He credits Gary Worthing, Ken Grant, Carl Parker, Dave Clement and Roger Davis as faculty and staff members influential on his time at FA and beyond.
From the Class of 1992, Tracy London Cushman. Tracy was a star three-sport athlete during her four years at Foxcroft Academy. On the basketball court, she was captain of her team during her senior year and voted the team’s MVP. In softball, she was captain her junior and senior season as well as the Offensive Player of the Year.
But, Tracy was a real standout on the field hockey field. As a junior, her team went all the way to the Eastern Maine championship game. As a senior, not only did they take home Eastern Maine gold, but won the state championship 1-0 over Telstar. Tracy scored the only goal of the game. It was the first ever state championship for FA and longtime head coach Gene Philpot. Tracy was selected to the Class C All-State field hockey team that season.
Tracy may have become an even better overall athlete when her playing days at FA came to an end. After graduation, she has competed in several marathons, canoe races (with her husband, Kenny a world class kayaker), and in golf. Earlier this year, she broke 80 on her home course, shooting a 76. Tracy said her field hockey coach and teacher, Philpot, was highly influential on her in school and beyond. “Coach Philpot not only taught me how to win with dignity and respect, but how to be gracious in defeat. These are life lessons that I learned at a young age thanks to Coach Philpot.”
From the Class of 1994, Jennifer Michaud Finch. While at FA, Jennifer was captain of the field hockey, basketball, indoor and outdoor track teams during her four years at Foxcroft Academy. Jennifer experienced her most success on the field hockey field and on the track, both indoors and out. From team state championships (in both field hockey and track), individual titles and honors, state records and a fall or two on the old cinder track (she has the scars to prove it), both of these sports prepared Jennifer for the life ahead.
After her time at FA, she went on to not just play, but excel in field hockey, cross country and track at Springfield College. During grad school at Northeastern, she coached the cross country teams. Running has always been a big part of Jennifer’s life as she has run over a dozen marathons and still competes in many half marathons and 5K’s. She has focused her love of sports in her career as a sports cardiologist, currently in Massachusetts.
Jennifer credits her coaches, Philpot, Gary Worthin and George Rolleston, as well as her parents and family as huge supporters of her’s over the years of competition. She was also inducted into the FA Academic Hall of Fame last year.
From the Class of 2010, Vanessa Lougee. Vanessa was involved in every sports season during her time at Foxcroft Academy. During the fall, she played soccer and was voted to the PVC second team her senior season. She played softball and won the Coaches’ Award twice.
Vanessa was most known for her time gracing the basketball court at FA. She is one of only two female players at FA to have scored over 1,000 points. She was voted to the Big East Conference First Team her junior and senior seasons. She was a 2010 McDonald’s All-Star and was named the Ernest “Lap” Lary Award winner her senior year, signifying the top female athlete. Her team made it to the 2010 Class C semifinals.
After school, Vanessa went on to Washington County Community College where she won the President’s Award for Excellence in Heavy Equipment Maintenance and was the WCCC Student of the Year in 2011. Vanessa credits FA faculty members Wayne Strout, John Sylvester, Doreen Emerson and Jen Bickford as having big impacts on her school career and life beyond FA.