The Special Olympics Maine team brought home nine gold medals from the Special Olympics National Games held July 18-23 in Lincoln, Neb.

The traditional four-person bocce team — Brian Richards of New Sharon, Megan Dyer and Ashley Stasulis of Lewiston, and Nate Davis of Portland — defeated the team from Colorado to win gold. Richards and Dyer also took first in the traditional doubles event.

In athletics, Paul Houston of Dedham took gold in the 200-meter run and the running long jump, and Stephen Reed of Boothbay Harbor won the shot put. In swimming, Valerie Giles of Boothbay won the 25-meter backstroke and the 25-meter freestyle, and Brenda LeConte finished first in the 100-meter freestyle. Matt Rausch won the nine-hole competition in golf.

Winning silver medals were: Reed, 200-meter run; Tracy Dubois of Lewiston, 400-meter run; Kelly Welton of Alton, shot put; Houston, shot put; James Therrien of Lewiston, shot put; Davis and Charles Swanberg of Lamoine, bocce unified doubles.

 

Greg Reinhold of South Portland was awarded a $5,000 scholarship by the New England Patriots Foundation at a recognition dinner June 21.

Reinhold, who graduated as valedictorian of South Portland High School, was the third-place winner in the Patriots’ “Write On” essay contest. Contestants wrote an essay about the Patriots’ 2009-10 season and their own volunteer experiences.

Reinhold will attend the University of Connecticut.

 

Stephanie Babin had a hole-in-one on the 15th hole at Augusta Country Club on July 13 during the WMSGA Metropolitan tournament. Babin’s playing partners were Kate Boyle, Margo Audiffred and Julie DeFrancesco.

 

James Clark aced the 140-yard 13th hole at Spring Meadows Golf Club on July 16. He used a 9-iron for the shot, which was witnessed by Bill Jackson.

 

Greg Radziszewski made a hole-in-one at Fox Ridge Golf Club on July 17. Radziszewski used a 5-iron to hit the shot on the 178-yard 16th hole. Witnesses were Steve Gurey and Scott Berube.

 

Linda Lebeouf had a hole-in-one on the fourth hole at Rivermeadow Golf Club on July 18, using a 5-wood. Becky Douglass and Jim Douglass were her playing partners.

 

Stanley Thompson of Lyman used a 9-wood to ace the 156-yard 11th hole at Dutch Elm Golf Course on July 22. The shot was witnessed by David Boston, David Dutch and Rod Normand.

 

Jan Eskeland used an 8-iron to hit a hole-in-one on the 140-yard fourth hole at Nonesuch River Golf Club on July 22.

 

Paul Fitzpatrick used an 8-iron to ace the 142-yard 17th hole at Portland Country Club on Friday. The shot was witnessed by Tim O’Neil, Bob Harmon, Bill Medd and Jerry Diphilippo.