Mike Mandell

Staff Writer

Mike Mandell came to the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel in April 2022 after spending five and a half years with The Ellsworth American in Hancock County, Maine. He came to Maine out of college after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism in 2016. He spent 2015 as the Mizzou football beat writer for the Columbia Missourian after previously covering high school sports and Mizzou women’s basketball for the newspaper. He lives just outside of downtown Waterville, less than a mile from the Morning Sentinel newsroom.

Mt. Blue’s Joe Hayden (left) and Bonny Eagle’s John Havu were announced Friday as the respective offensive and defensive winners of the 2025 Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Lineman Awards. (Gaziano Lineman Awards)

Football, Sports, Varsity Maine

Mt. Blue’s Joe Hayden, Bonny Eagle’s John Havu named Gaziano winners

by Mike Mandell January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

The two receive trophies and $5,000 scholarships as the top senior offensive (Hayden) and defensive (Havu) lineman in Maine high school football.

Sports

Mainers Sam Morse, Nathan Pare selected to U.S. Olympic teams

by Mike Mandell January 22, 2026February 4, 2026

Carrabassett Valley skier and Bethel snowboarder give the state four athletes at next month’s Winter Games in Italy.

Boys Basketball, Sports, Varsity Maine

Five Maine high school boys basketball storylines in late January

by Mike Mandell January 20, 2026January 21, 2026

The Mr. Basketball race takes shape, teams cling to their tournament hopes, and a junior in central Maine is throwing down jams.

Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Sports, Varsity Maine

An elite freshman class is making its mark on Maine high school hoops

by Mike Mandell January 18, 2026January 19, 2026

Coaches have been raving for years about the Class of 2029 and, thus far, a group of freshmen surrounded by massive hype has delivered.

Football, Sports, Varsity Maine

Meet the finalists for 2025 Gaziano football lineman awards

by Mike Mandell January 9, 2026January 9, 2026

Winners of the awards, given annually to the top senior offensive and defensive linemen in the state, will be announced Jan. 23.

Boys Basketball, Sports, Varsity Maine

Five boys basketball storylines to follow this week

by Mike Mandell January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

Surprise teams and intriguing regional title pictures have emerged, and big matchups loom in the new year’s first full week.

Boys Soccer, Sports, Varsity Maine

Varsity Maine Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Finn Coburn, Scarborough

by Mike Mandell December 31, 2025December 31, 2025

The MSCA All-American and Class A Player of the Year anchored an impenetrable Scarborough defense and helped guide the Red Storm to the Class A title.