Gorham Notes: March 16

Luke Burns of Gorham displays his state wrestling championship trophy, flanked by Scarborough/Gorham wrestling coach Benny Watson, left, and assistant coach Trevor Engling. Contributed / Bob Burns

GHS junior state wrestling champ

Gorham High School junior Luke Burns won the 182-pound weight division in the Class A State Wrestling Championship last month in Sanford.

He also was named the outstanding wrestler for the championship event.

Burns is the son of former Gorham Public Works director Bob Burns, now Windham’s assistant town manager.

Wrestling coach Benny Watson said Burns is a good wrestler because of his work ethic and love for the sport, and he’s coachable.

“He’s a really good kid and a hard worker,” Watson said.

His first year in competition was as a sophomore when he wrestled in the 152-pound class and placed in the regionals. The pandemic had wiped out competitive matches during Burns’ freshman year.

Burns is also a member of the National Honor Society, Watson said.

Bob Burns said his son is the first Gorham High School state wrestling champion since 1994 when Jeremy Reynolds won the title in the 135-pound division.

Gorham Police Chief Christopher Sanborn welcomes Officer Taylor Stroup to the Gorham department. Contributed / Gorham Police Department

Stroup joins Gorham Police

Officer Taylor Stroup has joined the Gorham force after four years of experience as a patrol officer and patrol evidence technician with the South Portland Police Department.

Stroup earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology at the University of Southern Maine and graduated from the basic law enforcement training program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 2018.

“Officer Stroup is excited to be a member of the Gorham Police Department and looks forward to introducing herself to the community,” Police Chief Christopher Sanborn said in a press release.