Hey, Ricky, got a ride? Coming back this year, Ricky? Ricky Craven, who has always seen the balance in life, has to grin. “There are no retirement parties in NASCAR. Five years ago my career ended abruptly. I wish it happened differently.” He hears the questions, especially when he’s back in Maine, and shakes his […]
Steve Solloway
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Steve Solloway: Jay Cutler sits, and raises hackles
On Sunday of Christmas weekend, a relatively unknown Baltimore Ravens rookie named Morgan Cox ran onto the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium with the field goal unit. Cox was the long snapper. A second or two after he snapped the football, men up and down the line of scrimmage could hear his screams. His anterior […]
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Steve Solloway: Consistency should be a constant
Hands up. Who had Maine’s hockey team beating Boston College by three goals Sunday night? Be honest, now. My hand isn’t up, either. Boston College was playing like one of the top-ranked teams in college hockey and Maine was playing like, well, the No. 13 team. A very motivated No. 13 but who knew beforehand? […]
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Steve Solloway: Farewell to a racer to respect
Jeff Stevens wiped his hand on his jeans, which seemed just as grimy. Then he reached for mine. Yes, he said, he had a few minutes to talk. Only a few minutes. Then he had to get back to working on his race car. Something needed to be done before the qualifying heats for the […]
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Steve Solloway: The record still shows USM basketball cares
GORHAM — No one buried a basketball or set fire to a printout of a schedule that listed last season’s awful results. Karl Henrikson saw little use for the symbolism. He wanted reality to serve as a reminder. The University of Southern men’s basketball team takes a 7-4 record into tonight’s game with Husson. Losses […]
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Overlooked but so hard to forget: Add John Wiechman to your list
He tucked away the football and headed up the field, short legs churning. Seventy yards later John Wiechman was in the end zone, soaking up the cheers.
In the grandstand, Kevin Cooper looked at his son, Cameron. It had been five years since the Bonny Eagle football coach and his former water boy last watched Wiechman carry the ball. Everything seemed different but nothing had changed.He tucked away the football and headed up the field, short legs churning. Seventy yards later John Wiechman was in the end zone, soaking up the cheers.
In the grandstand, Kevin Cooper looked at his son, Cameron. It had been five years since the Bonny Eagle football coach and his former water boy last watched Wiechman carry the ball. Everything seemed different but nothing had changed.
“We saw a typical John Wiechman run,” said Cooper. “He hurdled a defensive back and ran over the free safety. How many times have we seen that before?”
“We saw a typical John Wiechman run,” said Cooper. “He hurdled a defensive back and ran over the free safety. How many times have we seen that before?”
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Steve Solloway: Russell Lamour is one big step closer to his dream
Outside the arena, palm trees swayed in the breeze instead of pines. Inside, voices carried the varied accents of Southern California instead of the more familiar Mainah-speak. Russell Lamour was nervous as he eyed his opponent. Then the bell rang, signalling the start of his fight and the beginning of something new and different. “That’s […]
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Steve Solloway: D-Leaguers scrapping for spots
AUGUSTA – He ran the court with little hesitation, hiding the sore hamstring that could get really angry and end his night too early. “I’m playing,” said Lawrence Westbrook before the opening tap. “I’ll be on the floor even if it kills me.” He was so serious, you wanted to make sure dying was simply […]
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Solloway: He’s part of the family – part of the winning family
Edgar Renteria stood at first base that night last summer, waiting for the pinch runner to take his place. He turned to Ken Joyce, the Fresno Grizzlies’ hitting coach and an old friend. “You’re done with us. You’re going back up,” said Joyce to the veteran San Francisco Giants shortstop, who was rehabbing yet another […]
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Steve Solloway: Lessons from life’s biggest loss
Bill Brennan heard bits of light laughter Sunday night. Here and there, the flickerings of smiles escaped the shadows on Ritchie Field. Brennan heard phrases that began with “Remember when Richie . . .” The pain he felt for the young men around him no longer felt so sharp. The healing had begun. Maine Maritime […]