Dave Dyer

Belfast

Sports Writer for the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel. Only Maine sports reporter who is also a pro wrestler: @BelfastDyer. Opinions posted here are my own.

Articles

Maine pole vaulters embrace danger of reaching new heights

2 weeks ago | pressherald.com | Dave Dyer

Kessa Benner of Freeport High clears the bar while competing in the pole vault at an April 18 Western Maine Conference meet at Yarmouth High. Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald Ashby Hayward is one of the top boys pole vaulters in Maine.
Central Maine girls lacrosse players to watch

1 month ago | centralmaine.com | Dave Dyer

Cooper Davis, sophomore Maranacook/Winthrop midfielder: Davis had a strong freshman season last year, when she scored 25 goals and had 24 assists and 116 ground balls. Emerson Davis, senior Maranacook/Winthrop midfielder: The older sibling of the Davis duo for the Black Bears, she led the team with 84 draw controls last season while scoring 17 goals and adding 24 assists.
Recharged Maranacook/Winthrop sets new bar entering 2025 season

1 month ago | centralmaine.com | Dave Dyer

WINTHROP — The Maranacook/Winthrop girls lacrosse team put up big numbers on its way to the No. 1 seed in the Class C playoffs last season. The Black Bears hope for a better ending this year. “I think this is the best we’ve looked coming into the preseason,” said junior Hadley Farwell. “We’ve wanted (more success) all throughout the offseason. We worked through the summer, a little bit on our own.
Central Maine softball players to watch in 2025

1 month ago | centralmaine.com | Dave Dyer

Rileigh Chase, Monmouth Academy senior shortstop: Chase, an MVC first-team pick in 2024, is one of the senior leaders for a squad that should contend for the Class C South title this spring. Natalie Gilman, Skowhegan senior catcher/infielder: A KVAC Class A first-team selection as a junior, Gilman is one just three seniors on a young team that will be looking to improve early and quickly to contend in Class A North. She will play at the University of Maine at Augusta next year.
Some central Maine softball teams face new challenges

1 month ago | centralmaine.com | Dave Dyer

Central Maine has produced some of the top softball teams in recent years, including one knocking on the door of history. Among those top teams, there’s one key element they must overcome to find success again during the 2025 season: Key losses to graduation. In Class C, Hall-Dale became the third team in state history last season to win four consecutive state championships.
Despite key graduations, Nokomis eyes strong defense of Class B title

1 month ago | centralmaine.com | Dave Dyer

NEWPORT — For years, the Nokomis softball team was chasing a Class B championship and falling just short. This spring, the Wildcats are team being chase after beating York, 2-1, last season in the Class B title game for its first state championships. Nokomis, which finished 18-2 last season, exacted revenge after losing to York in the 2023 state final. Nokomis may be the favorite to start this season, but the Warriors are certainly not uptight.
For turkey call competitors, practice makes perfect

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Dave Dyer

Quincy Emmons, 15, of Richmond demonstrates his mouth call technique during the kids turkey calling contest at the Maine Sportsman’s Show on Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal AUGUSTA — What makes for a good turkey call? What works best to lure the treasured game bird during hunting season?
Colby women’s hockey sets high bar for the future

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Dave Dyer

It’s one of the saddest days of the year for Holley Tyng. The ice inside the O’Neil | O’Donnell Forum was melting, the sign of yet another hockey season coming to an end. The Colby women’s hockey coach was sitting and reflecting on a season that was anything but sad. The Mules (18-7-2) reached the NCAA Division III tournament with an at-large bid for the third time in the last four years.
Girls wrestling: 2025 Varsity Maine All-State team

1 month ago | centralmaine.com | Dave Dyer

Hannah Perro, Noble junior, 100 pounds: The 2024-25 Varsity Maine Girls Wrestler of the Year didn’t just beat the competition, she dominated it. Perro won two of her three matches at Maine State Girls Wrestling Championship by pinfall in less than a minute, including the championship match to take her third girls crown. She didn’t allow a single point on her way to a second consecutive New England title.
Boys wrestling: 2025 Varsity Maine All-State team

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Dave Dyer

Preston Garland, Mt. Blue junior, 106 pounds: Fighting his way up through the 106 ranks over the past two years, Garland had his breakout season this winter and cemented himself as the top lightweight in the state. He won titles in Class A North, Class A and at the New England Qualifier. He beat Clayton McPheters of Mattanawcook Academy, 5-4, in the New England Qualifier finals.