College Sports
Mt. Ararat High School athletic director to step down this summer
The athletic director of Mt. Ararat High School, who helped deliver new athletic facilities to the Topsham school, will be stepping down from his position in less than three months.In a resignation letter obtained by Maine’s Total Coverage, Geoff Godo informed Mt. Ararat High School Principal Chris Hoffman that he will resign Aug. 1 and […]
The athletic director of Mt. Ararat High School, who helped deliver new athletic facilities to the Topsham school, will be stepping down from his position in less than three months.In a resignation letter obtained by Maine’s Total Coverage, Geoff Godo informed Mt. Ararat High School Principal Chris Hoffman that he will resign Aug. 1 and provide whatever transitional support he can through the summer for the school’s next athletic director.”This is not a decision I have made lightly, but I feel it is best for me and my family that I step aside from the rigors of this very demanding position and pursue other professional opportunities,” Godo said in the letter.Godo, a Topsham resident, has been Mt. Ararat High’s athletic director since the spring of 2016 and will complete his ninth full school year in the role.The agenda for Thursday night’s Maine School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors meeting indicates the board will accept Godo’s resignation, effective Aug. 1.Before becoming athletic director, Godo served as Mt. Ararat’s freshman baseball coach and as an assistant on the varsity baseball team from 2014 to 2016.The University of Michigan graduate moved to Maine in 2005 and worked for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League as the team’s account executive and vice president of ticket sales.In 2008, Godo transitioned to education and served as an ed tech at Lisbon High School while earning his teaching certificate at the University of New England. He later went on to teach at Lisbon High, and he also coached baseball and basketball at Sugg Middle School in Lisbon during that time.Before arriving at Mt. Ararat, Godo was a social studies teacher at Westbrook High School for seven years. He also coached varsity golf and freshman baseball during his time at Westbrook High.In an email to Maine’s Total Coverage, MSAD 75 Superintendent Heidi O’Leary confirmed Godo has decided to resign effective Aug. 1.”To be very clear, it would be completely wrong to draw any connection between Mr. Godo’s decision and the criminal investigation of a former MSAD 75 employee that was announced on May 19,” O’Leary said in the email.On Feb. 16, MSAD 75 officials ended the Mt. Ararat High School boys ice hockey team’s season amid allegations of bullying or harassment involving players and after the head coach had announced his resignation on Facebook.In April, law firm Brann & Isaacson released a summary report of its investigation into the Mt. Ararat High School’s boys ice hockey team. The law firm found student-athletes on the hockey team participated in hazing, bullying and sexually inappropriate conduct.Maine’s Total Coverage has found no stated connection between Godo’s resignation and what happened with the high school hockey team.Mt. Ararat High School is the only high school within MSAD 75, which serves four communities in the Midcoast region: Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell and Topsham. Those towns cover an area of approximately 40 square miles and have a collective approximate population of about 20,000.
The athletic director of Mt. Ararat High School, who helped deliver new athletic facilities to the Topsham school, will be stepping down from his position in less than three months.
In a resignation letter obtained by Maine’s Total Coverage, Geoff Godo informed Mt. Ararat High School Principal Chris Hoffman that he will resign Aug. 1 and provide whatever transitional support he can through the summer for the school’s next athletic director.
“This is not a decision I have made lightly, but I feel it is best for me and my family that I step aside from the rigors of this very demanding position and pursue other professional opportunities,” Godo said in the letter.
Godo, a Topsham resident, has been Mt. Ararat High’s athletic director since the spring of 2016 and will complete his ninth full school year in the role.
The agenda for Thursday night’s Maine School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors meeting indicates the board will accept Godo’s resignation, effective Aug. 1.
Before becoming athletic director, Godo served as Mt. Ararat’s freshman baseball coach and as an assistant on the varsity baseball team from 2014 to 2016.
The University of Michigan graduate moved to Maine in 2005 and worked for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League as the team’s account executive and vice president of ticket sales.
In 2008, Godo transitioned to education and served as an ed tech at Lisbon High School while earning his teaching certificate at the University of New England. He later went on to teach at Lisbon High, and he also coached baseball and basketball at Sugg Middle School in Lisbon during that time.
Before arriving at Mt. Ararat, Godo was a social studies teacher at Westbrook High School for seven years. He also coached varsity golf and freshman baseball during his time at Westbrook High.
In an email to Maine’s Total Coverage, MSAD 75 Superintendent Heidi O’Leary confirmed Godo has decided to resign effective Aug. 1.
“To be very clear, it would be completely wrong to draw any connection between Mr. Godo’s decision and the criminal investigation of a former MSAD 75 employee that was announced on May 19,” O’Leary said in the email.
On Feb. 16, MSAD 75 officials ended the Mt. Ararat High School boys ice hockey team’s season amid allegations of bullying or harassment involving players and after the head coach had announced his resignation on Facebook.
In April, law firm Brann & Isaacson released a summary report of its investigation into the Mt. Ararat High School’s boys ice hockey team. The law firm found student-athletes on the hockey team participated in hazing, bullying and sexually inappropriate conduct.
Maine’s Total Coverage has found no stated connection between Godo’s resignation and what happened with the high school hockey team.
Mt. Ararat High School is the only high school within MSAD 75, which serves four communities in the Midcoast region: Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell and Topsham. Those towns cover an area of approximately 40 square miles and have a collective approximate population of about 20,000.
College Sports
David Kedrow Inks Contract with Eastside Diamond Hoppers in USPBL
Story Links UTICA, Mich. – Senior catcher David Kedrow of the Adrian College baseball team has signed a contract with the Eastside Diamond Hoppers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL). A 2025 graduate of Adrian College, Kedrow is set to begin his professional baseball career. Kedrow capped off the 2025 […]
UTICA, Mich. – Senior catcher David Kedrow of the Adrian College baseball team has signed a contract with the Eastside Diamond Hoppers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL). A 2025 graduate of Adrian College, Kedrow is set to begin his professional baseball career.
Kedrow capped off the 2025 season with a .294 batting average, leading the Bulldogs with 53 RBIs. He appeared in 47 games, tallying 55 hits, 51 runs scored, and four home runs. Defensively, Kedrow was a force behind the plate, throwing out 20 would-be base stealers and earning First Team All-MIAA honors at catcher. He also earned Second Team All-MIAA recognition in 2024 and was named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team during his career.
Over his four-year collegiate career, Kedrow posted a .298 batting average across 130 games. He amassed 130 hits, 103 runs, 21 doubles, one triple, and seven home runs. He recorded 110 RBIs, drew 39 walks, was hit by a pitch 22 times, and stole 21 bases.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to play the game that I love to play on a professional level,” Kedrow said. “As a kid growing up playing baseball the dream is always to play professionally, and I am grateful that the diamond hoppers are giving me a chance to live out that dream”
The Eastside Diamond Hoppers currently hold the best record in the USPBL at 9-5. The team also features former Adrian College standouts Pierce Banks and Nathan Mix.
The Diamond Hoppers return to action on Thursday, June 19 at 7:05 PM when they take on Westside at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, Michigan. They will follow up with a doubleheader against Utica on Saturday, June 21.
College Sports
Coastal Carolina knocks Louisville Cardinals out of College World Series 11-3
Coastal Carolina’s 11-3 victory over Louisville extends its win streak to 26 games. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Coastal Carolina advanced to the College World Series finals with a 11-3 victory over Louisville on Wednesday, scoring five of its six first-inning runs before making an out and extending its win streak to 26 games. The Chanticleers (56-11) […]
Coastal Carolina’s 11-3 victory over Louisville extends its win streak to 26 games.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Coastal Carolina advanced to the College World Series finals with a 11-3 victory over Louisville on Wednesday, scoring five of its six first-inning runs before making an out and extending its win streak to 26 games.
The Chanticleers (56-11) will play LSU or Arkansas in the best-of-three finals starting Saturday. They are going for their second national championship in two all-time appearances in Omaha. They won their first in 2016.
“To do what we did today versus that team, as well coached as that team is, is really amazing,” coach Kevin Schnall said. “The Chanticleers are one of two teams in the entire country still playing. It’s incredible, but it’s not unbelievable. And it’s not unbelievable because we’ve got really good players, really good players.”
Louisville (42-24) started left-hander Colton Hartman, primarily a reliever who hadn’t appeared in a game since May 17. He didn’t last long.
RELATED: Redemption Story | Louisville shortstop saves Cardinals season after making brutal error
Caden Bodine singled leading off and Sebastian Alexander and Blake Barthol were hit by pitches to load the bases. Walker Mitchell punched a ball into right field to bring in two runs, and then Hartman issued a four-pitch walk.
Out went Hartman (2-1) and in came Jake Schweitzer. Colby Thorndyke greeted him with his second bases-clearing double in two games to make it 5-0. Thorndyke came home on Ty Dooley’s one-out single and finished 3 for 4 with five RBIs.
“We always preach when the bases are loaded, the pressure is on the pitcher,” Thorndyke said. “It’s not on the hitter. He’s got to throw three strikes. If he throws four balls then it’s a run. So we always preach the pressure is on the pitcher.”
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The Chanticleers padded their lead with Pete Mihos’ two-run triple in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth. Coastal Carolina is 43-0 when leading after six innings.
The Chanticleers made an impressive run through their bracket, beating Arizona 7-4 and Oregon State 6-2 before eliminating the Cardinals. They led or were tied all the way through except for a half-inning against Arizona.
“These guys, ooh, they’ve done it in the last half of the season, in the conference tournament, in the regionals, in supers, in Omaha, against, as we say, the best teams,” Louisville coach Dan McDonnell said. “It’s impressive what they’ve done.”
Riley Eikhoff (7-2), making his second start in the CWS, held the Cardinals scoreless until Tague Davis drove an RBI double into the right-center gap in the sixth. Matthew Potok, Hayden Johnson and Dominick Carbone combined for 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief.
RELATED: ‘Dreams come true’ | Louisville-born catcher to play for UofL Baseball at College World Series
“Offense goes out there gives you a big lead, it’s big pressure off yourself,” Eikhoff said. “You go out there, just do your thing, try and make pitches. I made quite a few pitches today, and the defense made great plays behind me. Without them, the score wouldn’t be the same today.”
Cardinals ace Patrick Forbes, who pitched 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 loss to Oregon State on Friday, had asked to be the starter against the Chanticleers on four days’ rest, according to ESPN.
Coach Dan McDonnell planned to hold him back for a possible second bracket final against the Chanticleers on Thursday or use him for one inning if needed Wednesday. Hartman’s disastrous start all but ended Louisville’s hopes of forcing a winner-take-all game.
“I’m just grateful to be along for this journey and just be one of the people or one of the teams that can go down in the history books for Louisville,” Eddie King Jr. said. “This is a special team and I’m just sad that it came to an end today.”
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College Sports
Local sports briefs
Let us read it for you. Listen now. Your browser does not support the audio element. Hookfin replaces Delk as Rogers athletic director Rogers Public Schools didn’t have to look far to replace Rogers site athletic director Ronnie Delk, who left for a job at Bentonville. Hookfin replaces Delk, who was hired as the athletic […]
Hookfin replaces Delk as Rogers athletic director
Rogers Public Schools didn’t have to look far to replace Rogers site athletic director Ronnie Delk, who left for a job at Bentonville.
Hookfin replaces Delk, who was hired as the athletic director for the Bentonville campus, on Tuesday evening.
Steve Hookfin, who is in his fourth year as an assistant principal at Rogers, is looking forward to the new venture.
“I’m excited,” said Hookfin, who also served as head football coach at Rogers Heritage for three years. “The good thing about the position I held previously was i worked closely with Ronnie. It was a good teaching moment. I didn’t know it at the time, but I learned a lot from Ronnie and I’m just hoping to build on what he’s already established.”
In addition, Brandon Johnson was hired for Hookfin’s former position as assistant principal. Johnson had served as freshman volleyball coach at Rogers in 2019 then four years as the assistant coach for the Lady Mounties varsity team before serving as assistant coach at Springdale Har-Ber last season.
— Paul Boyd
PREP SOCCER
Bentonville’s Hopper honored again
Sydney Hopper has added more recognition this spring as Gatorade has named the Bentonville forward its Arkansas girls soccer player of the year.
Hopper, a 5-8 senior midfielder, led the Lady Tigers to a 19-3 record overall and a third consecutive Class 6A state championship. She finished the season with 15 goals and 11 assists and was named the most valuable player during Bentonville’s 1-0 victory over Fayetteville in the Class 6A state championship game.
Hopper becomes the sixth Lady Tiger to earn the distinction from Gatorade, following Kelly O’Connor (2006), April Miller (2009), three-time winner Tayler Estrada (2011-13), two-time winner McKenzie Dixon (2014-15) and Kayla Hurley last year.
Hopper, who is also a member of the Indonesian women’s national team, will go on to play college soccer at Dallas Baptist.
College Sports
Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation hosts benefit gala
At the ninth annual benefit of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF) last week, the foundation’s mission to empower and inspire the lives of young people from underserved communities through the sport of gymnastics was evident. Collegiate gymnast Kyrstin Johnson, whose floor routine set to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” went viral, was in attendance […]
At the ninth annual benefit of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF) last week, the foundation’s mission to empower and inspire the lives of young people from underserved communities through the sport of gymnastics was evident.
Collegiate gymnast Kyrstin Johnson, whose floor routine set to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” went viral, was in attendance at the event, which was held at the New York Athletic Club. Johnson competed for Temple University this season after Talladega College (an HBCU school) ended its gymnastics program. “Coming from an HBCU, I still wanted to bring the HBCU with me,” she said. “Going out there and being yourself is the most important thing.”
Roshelle Wickham, mother of Rylee McCullough, a Level 4 artistic gymnast, said her daughter is a dedicated gymnast who has found her passion through the WHGF. “I love that it’s opening doors for her,” said Wickham.
Amanda Malace, mother of Elizabeth Malace, said her daughter has been training with the foundation since 2019 and will soon compete at the national level. “She loves that she’s able to be her true self. She fell in love with gymnastics and wants to go as far as she can with it,” said Malace.
Lois Elfman photos
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From left to right, WHGF board of directors member Herbie Berger, Wendy Hilliard, collegiate gymnastics sensation Kyrstin Johnson and one of evening’s honorees, Michael Tiedemann.
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Former WHGF participants, now coaches (l–r) Ida Lowe, Alexis Page, and Asta Lowe. -
WHGF tumblers (l–r) ZaQuae Carter, Bailey Mensah, and Ty’La Morris.
Some present and former WHGF tumblers, an emerging sport, were on hand. Bailey Mensah said that tumbling allows for creativity. ZaQuae Carter said he appreciates seeing younger athletes take up the sport. “It gives me happiness,” said Carter, who has seen considerable competitive success. Ty’La Morris, who has been tumbling for seven years, said it “gives me a challenge every single day.”
Nick Brown, a coach with WHGF for two years, said he relishes the opportunity to help program participants not only get better at gymnastics but also to embrace their own personalities. “These are underserved Black and Brown children, who don’t really get exposed to stuff like this, so to be able to give them a space to exercise that and grow with each other is special,” said Brown, who incorporates acting exercises he learned in college in the training.
Athletes and their supporters weren’t the only ones to receive recognition at the event. Christopher Harris, outgoing chair of WHGF, received the WHGF Hero Award. Michael Tiedemann, CEO of AlTi Tiedemann Global and chair of the River Fund, received the inaugural Simone Biles Give Back Award. The Harlem Community Development Corporation was honored with the Community Impact Award.
Related
College Sports
Penn State women's soccer welcomes 7 freshmen ahead of the 2025 season
Penn State is headed into the 2025-26 season with seven new additions to its roster. Last fall, the blue and white battled through postseason play, making it to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. While the Nittany Lions fell 2-1 in overtime against UNC, they had an entertaining showing, beating Stony Brook, TCU and Vanderbilt in the […]
Penn State is headed into the 2025-26 season with seven new additions to its roster.
Last fall, the blue and white battled through postseason play, making it to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. While the Nittany Lions fell 2-1 in overtime against UNC, they had an entertaining showing, beating Stony Brook, TCU and Vanderbilt in the first three rounds of the tournament.
While the team went 15-7-3, earning their spot in the Elite Eight for the second year in a row, they lost several players for several reasons such as moves to the National Women’s Soccer League, graduating members and transfers.
With players leaving, also comes the arrival of new athletes and in Penn State’s situation, seven of them. Here’s seven new players to keep an eye on as the Nittany Lions look to grab an NCAA title.
Nicole Crane, forward
The Glen Rock, New Jersey, native played for World Class FC prior to signing with the blue and white. Throughout her career so far, Nicole Crane has proved to be a significant dominating factor.
The freshman forward was named to the 2022 and 2024 All-Conference New England Team. Along with that selection, she was on the U17 National Team Roster and 2024 ECNL All-American team.
The 5-foot-6 freshman was named All-State and Conference Player of the Year en route to a 2024 High School All-American selection while playing at Depaul Catholic High School.
Kennedy Ring, forward
Kennedy Ring has roots in East Greenbush, New York, where she played for Columbia High School. Like Crane, she played for World Class FC throughout her time in club soccer.
Ring was named a two-time ECNL All-American and ECNL Player of the Year. Receiving many decorations, and proving to be a wrecking force on the offensive for her teams, she was named to the U17 and U19 National teams, while she currently is a member of the U19-U20 player pool.
The Nittany Lions huddle before the Penn State women’s soccer game against Rutgers at Jeffrey Field on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions and the Scarlet Knights tied 1-1.
Riley Cross, midfield
Riley Cross is one of three new midfielders coming to Happy Valley and slots in as the highest-ranked recruit in the class.
Like Ring and Crane, the Chatham, New Jersey, native also has national team experience — the 5-foot-8 midfielder has attended U15 and U17 training camps with U.S. Soccer and was named an alternate to the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
She played for Oak Knoll High School for her first three years, earning first team All-Conference honors twice and contributing a total of 55 goals in her first two seasons.
Senior year she joined Chatham High School, where she was named Conference Most Valuable Player and led her team to a state championship.
Hannah Jordan, midfield
Hannah Jordan comes all the way from Southlake, Texas, where she attended Southlake Carroll High School. The 5-foot-4 midfielder contributed to a 2022 UIL 6A State Championship and was named a first team All-District selection four times.
Club-wise, Jordan represented Solar SC, leading her team to two ECNL National Championships. She was named ECNL Conference Player of the Year and an ECNL All-American while also earning a spot on the U.S. Youth National Team.
Lily Ann Phillips, midfield
Lily Ann Phillips, a Hockessin, Delaware, native has always been a Penn State fan and dreamed of representing the blue and white from a very early age, she told The Sentinel.
She played for Saint Marks High School, serving as the team’s senior captain. She was named a Regional All-American last year and has had her share of appearances at USYNT camps and ID events.
Phillips played for Penn Fusion SA, where she led her team to the ECNL Final Four.
Penn State and Northwestern starting players line up before the Penn State women’s soccer game against Northwestern at Jeffrey Field on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in University Park, Pa. Penn State defeated Northwestern 1-0.
Emma Fassora, defense
Emma Fassora calls Louisville, Colorado, home and is one of two new defenders picked up by Erica Dambach.
The 5-foot-7 freshman played for Real Colorado and led her team to a North American Cup title back in 2023. Additionally, Fassora contributed to her squad’s Northwest Conference Championship win in 2022.
Fassora has seen the USYNT Talent ID Center a notable three times. In the ECNL, Fassora was named to multiple ECNL Girl’s Northwest All-Conference teams.
Marlee Raymond, defense
Marlee Raymond stems from Cumming, Georgia, where she played at West Forsyth High School as a two-sport athlete partaking in both basketball and soccer.
Raymond was a key contributor to her school’s 2024 undefeated season and across her career was named All-Region, All-State and two time Defender of the Year.
Raymond represented United Futbol Academy in her club endeavors, receiving ECNL All-Conference honors, and participated on the USYNT U15, U16, U17 and U20 teams. One of her most notable accomplishments lies in her gold medal at the UEFA Tournament just last year.
College soccer fans have a lot to look forward to as these new forces embark on their collegiate journey and get the chance to contribute to a potential Penn State 2025 national championship run.
MORE SPORTS COVERAGE
An incoming Nittany Lion is off to Georgia.
Luedtke completed his bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from St. Cloud State this past May, finishing with a 3.91 grade-point average. He was named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete all four years in school for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA each season, while collecting CSC Academic All-District accolades after his sophomore and junior campaigns. The Minnetonka, Minn. native also earned Dean’s List at SCSU all eight semesters for having achieved at least a 3.75 GPA. 
T.J. McConnell talks about his support for his sister, Megan!
