OQUOSSOC —  The Inaugural Rangeley Regatta Cup was held on Saturday in Oquossoc. Middle school teams from Strong, Phillips, Stratton, Kingfield and Rangeley were hosted by the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society for a fun day of competition and celebration of the region’s rich outdoor heritage.

Boys and girls teams competed in a wide variety of competitions after an opening ceremony at the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum. During the ceremony, Strong took home the first points by finishing first in the painted oar art competition judged by the Rangeley Friends of the Arts.

The team from Strong School widened its lead when Evan Allen finished first in the mile run. Kingfield’s Christine Emery crossed the line with a first-place finish for the girls.

The event continued with a casting competition and archery contest. Rangeley’s Keenan Austin’s winning cast beat the nearest competitor by 13 feet to secure Rangeley’s first cup points in fly-casting. Rangeley’s Chase Lingle locked down the archery championship with a 33-point total.

Preliminary elimination rounds in Canoe Relay and Rangeley Boat Races as well as the boys and girls finals in kayak took place on Oquossoc Cove. Students from all over the county raced classic Rangeley Boats, kayaks and canoes.

Strong took home top honors in Boys Kayak, and the Rangeley girls bested the field in their division.

Students from each team were tying their rendition of Carrie Steven’s world famous Gray Ghost Streamer Fly in the Mollyockett Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s Fly Tying Competition. Genesis Mitchell of Phillips took home first place.

Strong edged out Kingfield for first place.

The afternoon featured the finals in Boys and Girls Team Rowing as well as the Team Canoe Relay final. The Stratton girls won the Girls Rowing final. Before the finals, Strong and Rangeley were tied at 17 points in the battle for the cup, but victories in the Boys Rowing final and Co-ed Canoe Relay locked up the first Rangeley Regatta Cup for Rangeley. Kingfield captured the first-ever Regatta Cup Sportsmanship Award and Phillips took home Regatta School Spirit honors. The Director’s Award was presented to Danielle Ellis, Rangeley teacher. Stratton teacher Katie Wuori was presented with Coach of the Year honors.

The team from Strong stepped forward to relinquish their second place ribbons to the team Phillips team for fielding an all-boys team in the Co-ed Canoe Relay.