LEWISTON – The past, present, and future of sports in Maine were celebrated Sunday night during the 18th annual Maine Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

More than 300 people were on hand at the Spare Time Recreation Center here to enshrine seven past athletic greats in the Hall of Fame.

The timelessness of athletic achievement was a theme that ran through the evening.

“My grandfather couldn’t be here to accept this great honor,” said Joseph Marotta, grandson of inductee Edward Arsenault, the late Winslow High and John Carroll University football, track, and hockey standout. “His achievements continue to be an inspiration to me.”

Inductee Bruce Bickford, the former Olympic track runner from Benton, echoed Marotta during his thank-you speech.

“It’s a great honor to be up here with these athletes. I believe once you’re an athlete, you’re always an athlete,” said Bickford, a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team in Seoul, Korea.

On hand to be inducted were:

Former pro wrestler Jackie Nichols of Richmond; former University of Southern Maine women’s basketball great Maureen Burchill Cooper of Portland; former professional, college, and high school football coach Carroll Huntress of Saco; former Scarborough High and Bowdoin College basketball and baseball player Edward “Bobo” McFarland; and long-time Waterville Sentinel outdoor writer Gene Letourneau of Waterville.

“I’m 85 years old and I’ve never been a great athlete, but I’ve done something no one else up here has done,” said Letourneau. “I’ve worn out the tops of L.L. Bean boots.”

Burchill Cooper and McFarland fought back tears during their speeches.

“This is an emotional time for all of us,” said McFarland.

In addition to the inductions, currently competing athletes Michael Poulin, the Olympic equestrian rider from Fairfield, and Paralympic skiing champion Sarah Billmeier of Yarmouth were presented with the Hall’s Presidential Awards. Accepting for Poulin, who could not attend, was his wife, Sharon Poulin.

The 1993 NCAA Division I champion University of Maine hockey team was presented with a bronze plaque commemorating its achievement by MSHOF President Dan Gacetta. Maine natives of the team — center Eric Fenton of South Portland and defenseman Jason Weinrich of Gardiner — accepted the honor.

Presented with $500 scholarships, which are named for former University of Maine educators and coaches Sam and Ethel Sezak, were 10 high school scholar-athletes. They are:

Stephanie Smith of Old Town, Tim Caldwell of Foxcroft Academy, Chad Bradley of Skowhegan, Chris Manning of Rockland, Kayla Baker of Madawaska, Sarah Bicknell of Rangeley, Erika Jean Doyle of Greely, Tom Hammond of Fryeburg Academy, Natalie Soule of Yarmouth, and Steve Xanthopoulos of Thornton Academy.

Former Maine Governor Joseph E. Brennan was guest speaker. Brennan praised the achievements of the high school athletes in particular.

“Those who excel on the playing field and in the classroom do so much to make their families and communities proud. And they do so much for sports,” said Brennan.

Recognized in the audience by Master of Ceremonies Don MacWilliams was current Lawrence High girls basketball player Cindy Blodgett.

“Cindy is one of the greatest girls basketball players ever in this state,” MacWilliams said.