Sora Bukoski, Penobscot County sophomore, 107

Bukoski placed herself among the more dominant female grapplers in New England. She didn’t allow a single point on her way to the 107-pound girls state title, then allowed just six points — all in the finals — on her way to the New England title. Bukoski earned a win at the Noble Invitational in December. She also finished runner-up at 106 pounds at the Class A North co-ed championships and fifth at the Class A championships.

Brooklynn Webber, Mt. Blue senior, 114

After winning the 126-pound girls title last year, Webber moved down two weight classes and claimed the 114 championship this year, helping the Cougars to a share of the team title. Webber earned her 100th career victory during the girls championship meet. She wrapped her career with three state titles. She also won the 120-pound title at the Franklin Savings Bank tournament in Rumford and the Belfast Girls Invitational. She is a two-time All-State pick.

Martina Gili Fernandez, Maine Central Institute senior, 120

After winning her first state title last year at 145 pounds, Gili Fernandez dropped four weight classes and won another title this winter, beating Alanna Smith of Camden Hills by a 14-8 decision. She also won the 120 title at the Skowhegan Girls Open, as well as the 126 title at the Belfast Girls Invitational. Gili Fernandez is a two-time All-State selection.

Delaney Frost, Noble junior, 126

Frost, a two-time All-State pick, helped the Knights to a share of the girls team state title. After winning the state and New England titles at 120 pounds last season, Frost moved up to 126 and dominated the competition on the way to another girls state championship. She finished third in her weight class. Frost also won her weight class at the Noble Girls Invitational.

Kaydn Hansen, Mt. Blue sophomore, 132

After winning the 114-pound state title last season, Hansen moved up three classes and won another title. She allowed just four points in four matches on the way to the 132 championship. She also finished fourth at New Englands. She also won the 126 championship at the Franklin Savings Bank Girls Invitational, and the 132 title at the Skowhegan Open and Belfast Girls Invitational. Hansen is a two-time All-State selection.

Nevaeh Grunhuvd, Massabesic senior, 138

Grunhuvd helped the Mustangs win their first New England girls championship this winter. The state champion at 132 pounds last year, Grunhuvd edged Erskine Academy’s Maxine Spencer by a 6-5 decision for the 138 title. Grunhuvd, a two-time All-State pick, finished runner-up at 138 at New Englands.

Sophie Grunhuvd, Massabesic senior, 145

A two-time All-State selection, the Varsity Maine Girls Wrestler of the Year was the driving force for the Mustangs capturing their first New England team championship. Grunhuvd allowed just three points in her final three matches at New Englands, and she allowed two points to capture the state title. She also won tournament titles at the Noble Girls Invitational, the Belfast Girls Invitational and the Skowhegan Open.

Ava McGinnis, Nokomis junior, 152

McGinnis captured her first New England championship this winter, topping Nmachukwu Okoli of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, for the 152-pound crown. The two-time All-State pick didn’t allow a point at the state championship meet to defend her title. She won tournament titles at the Skowhegan Open, the Belfast Girls Invitational and finished third at the Noble Girls Invitational.

Aesa Brock, Massabesic junior, 165

A runner-up in her weight class at the Belfast Girls Invitational early in the season, Brock had a breakout performance in December, winning the 165-pound title at the Noble Girls Invitational. She was dominant at the girls state championships, winning by pin in the quarterfinals and finals, and by tech fall in the semifinals. Her performance helped Massabesic to a runner-up finish.

Izzy Bertocchi, Maine Central Institute sophomore, 185

Bertocchi didn’t allow a single point and won all three of her matches by pin at the state championship, beating Amelila Maillet of Dirigo for the title. She had an equally dominant performance at the Skowhegan Open, where she allowed just one point, winning her semifinal and championship final by tech fall.

Lilly Soper, Bucksport junior, 235

A two-time All-State pick, Soper won her third straight state title this winter, beating Theresa Campbell of Belfast by pinfall. All three of Soper’s wins in the tournament were by pin. She finished third for the second straight year at New Englands, winning her first two bouts by an 11-1 margin.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Ken Hall, Massabesic: A former standout at Massabesic, Hall led the Mustangs to a runner-up finish at the state meet and the program’s first girls New England championship. Led by Sophie and Nevaeh Grunhuvd, the Mustangs finished with 52 points at New Englands, holding off runner-up Salem (New Hampshire), which scored 48 points, and Woburn (Massachusetts) which scored 44.

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• Day Boat Cafe (website, facebook, instagram) in Waldoboro (above left) had their grand opening on Wednesday. Located at 17 Friendship Road in the town center, Day Boat is the creation of Anna Hymanson and Kelsey Woodworth. Their menu includes options like a pork with broccolini sandwich, panzanella salad and clam chowder. They also have prepared foods to go. The space features a 13-seat lunch counter, two window booths, and a large community table in an open kitchen concept. Outdoor seating will also be available as the weather warms. Day Boat will be open Wednesday through Friday, 10 am – 6 pm, and Saturday/Sunday 10 am – 4 pm.
• Chef Nate Fenn is joining with Logan and Ashleigh Feeney in their relaunch of the Bowdoinham Country Store (above right). The Feeney bought the store last year and have been renovating the building. They’re hoping to launch BCS in May addressing the needs of the community with a neighborhood market and serving as a gathering space with a menu of snacks, pizza, sandwiches and prepared food to go.  Later in the summer they hope to expand the seating area and launch a restaurant that will be open for dinner Thursday through Saturday. Fenn is currently the chef at Table Bar in Gardiner. He began his career at Flatlanders Pub in Greenville and has worked at Spring Creek BBQ in Monson and elsewhere in the state. The store is located at 54 River Road near the town center.
• The Waldoboro Inn (instagram) has announced their summer plans and kicked of a novel crowdfunding campaign to help in the build out of their kitchen and expansion of their bar program. Starting on May 30th, Finocchi (instagram) will be operating Trattoria Finocchi at the inn on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays throughout the summer. The Finocchi project “focuses on the story & magic of food as they queer Italian and Italian-American traditions.”  They plan to grow some produce at the Inn as well as source ingredients from Landsmith Farm & Commons. You can buy tickets for the crowdfunding campaign/raffle on the TWI website. Ticket prices are aligned with prize packages, and in a unique twist even losing ticket win some type of prize. For example the winner at the $50 level gets a dinner for two, and the remaining ticket holders get a free drink at the inn’s wine bar.
• The Bangor Daily News has published an article about Rasa, an Indian restaurant being launched in Bangor by Sai Guntaka from Taj and his uncle Obul Reddy. The restaurant is scheduled to open March 29th.
• Cellardoor Winery took home an award from the International Wine Competition for their 2024 Late Harvest Frontenac Blanc.
• Salt + Pepper Social in Newcastle is holding 3-course plant-based dinner on May 2nd.
• A new pizza food truck called Colonel’s Canteen (facebook) is under development. They plan to operate at the Korean Dad space in Veazie and at events in the Bangor/Brewer area.
• The Pilgrim’s Inn on Deer Isle has rebranded as The Ark. The restaurant at the inn was on the New York Times “50 best places in America right now” restaurant list in 2025.
• The Crooked Spoon is holding a pop-up dinner at The Norumbega in Camden on March 28th.
• Meet York County has published a field report from Bob’s Ugly Bagels in Shapleigh., and Biddo Foodies has published a field report from Fern Leaf Bakery in Saco.
• The Sanford Springvale News has published a profile of Bob Rizk, the chef and owner of The Rialto in Sanford.
• The Bethel Citizen reports that the Upton Village Store is under new ownership. “They will sell groceries, prepared food and Maine souvenirs year-round. The store will also offer live bait, small camping supplies and check stations for wild game and furs.”
• The Press Herald reports that Maine Beer Company in Freeport is planning an 11,000 sq ft expansion that will enable them to double their production capacity to 100,000 barrels a year.
• As reported last Sunday, Vince Maniaci and Jill Dutton have announced they’ll be closing their Scarborough market and cheese shop, The Cheese Iron

For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.