Belfast’s Jackson wins top field hockey award

AUGUSTA – Every other Sunday in the spring, Kimberly Wood drives her daughter, Belfast High senior Kelsey Jackson, to field hockey club team practices in New Hampshire.

The two spend a lot of time together – it’s a five-hour round trip drive. Naturally, they talk field hockey.

Jackson paid tribute to her mother Sunday afternoon as she accepted the Miss Maine Field Hockey Award, the highest honor for a field hockey player in the state, during the Maine Field Hockey Coaches Association awards banquet at the Augusta Civic Center.

“She’s the No. 1 reason I’m here today,” Jackson said of Wood, a former Belfast player, during her acceptance speech.

Jackson, a center midfielder, beat out Cony of Augusta’s Alyssa Cloutier, Skowhegan’s Mallory Shute, and Kelly Johnson of Bonny Eagle in Standish.

“I was very surprised,” Jackson said after the banquet.

Jackson, who will play at William & Mary (Va.) on a partial scholarship next year, scored nine goals and had 14 assists this season. She was a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference all-star for four years and an all-state player the past two.

This year, Jackson led the Lions to their second straight Class B state title and second undefeated season in a row.

Wood played on Belfast’s 1979 Class B state-title team and got her daughter involved in field hockey. Wood coached her daughter in middle school.

Both Wood and Jackson were coached by Allen Holmes, who has led the Lions for 33 years.

Jackson also credited Holmes with her development, especially early in her high school career. She started her freshman year as a forward, but Holmes converted her to center mid.

“Coach Holmes’ recognizing my potential in the [center mid] position has made me a stronger player,” she said.

Jackson was joined by teammates Jamie Flagg and Kallie Aldus, who were recognized as all-state players along with 57 others. Aldus is Jackson’s first cousin.

Outgoing University of Maine coach Terry Kix won the President’s Award. Eleven academic all-state players were also honored, along with five MFHA Hall of Fame inductees. The new Hall of Famers are Janet Hoskin, Stella McLean, Jackie McDonough, Jean Sickels, and Sue Zimmerman.