Steve Craig – Page 34 – Lewiston Sun Journal

Staff Writer

Steve Craig reports primarily about Maine’s active high school sports scene and, more recently, the Portland Hearts of Pine men's professional soccer team. His first newspaper job was covering Maine high school sports in 1986 working out of a tiny office in Skowhegan at the front of a hand-sewn shoe shop. After 12 years as a sportswriter in Dover, New Hampshire, he had a multi-year stint as the Portland Press Herald's freelance motorsports writer. In 2012 he was happy to make a working return to Maine as a staff writer for the Press Herald. Steve was named the National Sports Media Association's 2022 Maine Sportswriter of the Year, 27 years after winning the award for New Hampshire.

Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Sports, Varsity Maine

Basketball: Saturday’s state championship schedule altered by storm threat

by Steve Craig March 2, 2023March 2, 2023

Saturday afternoon sessions in Portland and Bangor have been postponed, but for now Class AA games are still set for Saturday night at Cross Insurance Arena.

Maine colleges, Sports

Women’s basketball: Windham’s Talon leads St. Joseph’s to NCAA tourney

by Steve Craig February 28, 2023February 28, 2023

The junior scored 18 points in the fourth quarter of the Monks’ GNAC championship game victory to clinch the team’s first NCAA Division III tournament bid since 2019.

Sports, Varsity Maine, Wrestling

Maddie Ripley hopes her historic victory inspires more girls to try wrestling

by Steve Craig February 21, 2023February 21, 2023

The Oceanside High junior, who on Saturday became the first girl in Maine to win a state title while competing against boys, earns another championship on Tuesday.

Indoor Track, Sports, Varsity Maine

Class B indoor track: St. Dom’s boys win first state title; Poland’s Nolan Garey sets record

by Steve Craig February 20, 2023February 21, 2023

The Saints prevail in the boys meet with only five scoring athletes and York wins the girls championship, while Garey in the new 55 hurdles record holder.

Maine, Sports, Varsity Maine

Why are fewer Maine students playing high school sports?

by Steve Craig and Drew Bonifant February 18, 2023February 18, 2023

Participation in athletics in Maine dropped by 12% over the past 10 years, far higher than the national rate of decline. Pandemic-era disruptions are only part of the answer.