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Thornton Academy’s record-breaking 2007 golf team was among those inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame on October 18.
The TA golfers avenged a one-stroke loss in the 2006 championship with a record score of 299 the following year, becoming the first Maine high school golf team to break the 300-stroke barrier. Coach Mike Verrier called the 2007 team “the best I’ve ever had” in his 18-year coaching career. Six players from the team qualified for the Class A individual state championship tournament – another record.
Other inductees include:
Larry Bowie (Class of '63)
Bowie was the starting center on TA’s 1962 State Championship football team and later joined the coaching staff before taking the helm of the academy’s first boys soccer team in 1973. Bowie is best known for his 20 years coaching track at Thornton, including the early years of the girls team, which became a perennial contender. He served as head coach of indoor track & field from 1967-1987, and is also known to many as the academy’s long-time wellness teacher.
Tyler Goulden ('12)
Considered the greatest diver in TA’s history, Goulden was a two-time Southwestern Maine diving champion and two-time Maine Class A state champion diver. As a junior, he shattered the Thornton record for an 11-dive meet, obliterating the previous mark by more than 100 points. He won his first state meet that year, becoming the first Trojan athlete to win a state title in either swimming or diving. During his senior year, Goulden set a record in the six-dive program, as well as a new high in the 11-dive on the way to a second state championship.
Richard Parker ('60)
A long-time member of Thornton’s Science Department, Parker was also a familiar face in TA track circles from the late 1960’s to the mid-1980’s, coaching all three running sports: cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He was assistant coach on Dom DiBiase's 1969 state champion team and head coach of undefeated 1972 state champion outdoor track & field team, as well as the 1974 girls cross country team, which was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame last year..
Janice Pendleton ('75)
A standout in field hockey, basketball, and track and field, Pendleton excelled in field hockey, serving as team captain and a top performer on the field, leading the ’74 team to the conference championship. On the court, she was a strong ball handler, leading the Trojans to a 17 - 3 record and a berth in the Western Maine Finals during her senior year. Pendleton also competed in Track and Field, running hurdles and the 220-meter dash, and throwing the javelin. She was a member of the 1974 conference championship team.
Sue (Mondor) Spath ('67)
A four-year player, Spath captained the field hockey team and was a standout on the field, earning Southwestern Maine Scholastic All-Star honors. A two-time president of the Girls Athletic Association at TA, Spath was recognized with the “Outstanding Service to the School” award. She worked as a substitute physical education teacher in Saco after college, and then joined Saco Parks & Recreation Department, helping to develop programs for women’s and girls’ sports just as Title IX became law.
Alumni awards
In addition to the Athletic Hall of Fame, three alumni were honored with awards from the Alumni Association:
Unsung Hero: Roberta (Sargent) Gallant '62
Reliable. Dependable. Dedicated. Roberta may be the ultimate TA volunteer. “Roberta doesn’t do anything except at full commitment. If something needs to be done, she is one of the first to volunteer,” says friend and classmate Susan (Willey) Marston. “When the TA Auction began, Roberta was part of the auction committee and did everything, except be the auctioneer.”
Roberta continues to support the auction, as well as many other efforts.
She and Susan serve as co-class agents. “Without Roberta I don’t think the classmates would have the same connection as we do today. It’s amazing to be so close to high school friends, 63 years later,” says Susan.
Roberta is also a member of the Alumni Association (her second stint). You’ll find her braving the December cold to ring the Salvation Army bell with fellow alumni, and helping prepare meals at the Saco Meals Program Soup Kitchen. Her volunteer experience also includes the Senior Alumni Reunion, Mary’s Walk, planting the garden outside of the Alumni House, the Children’s Carnival, and TA’s 200th anniversary celebration.
Public Service Award: Jim Godbout '80
Jim is known throughout the area as a successful businessman –he owns Provencher Fuels and Jim Godbout Plumbing & Heating Inc.— a dedicated volunteer, and generous supporter of countless causes. He recently led the $3.7 million efforts to convert the former St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford into a My Place Teen Center, a haven for youth that provides them with comfort, meals, resources, and hope. He joined other Rotarians to raise money and build a splash pad in Saco, providing a safe, fun, and inclusive water-play area.
Mainebiz named Jim one of its 2025 Business Leaders of the Year for his work with My Place Teen Center. When asked by the publication about his role models, Jim said, “My grandfather, step-grandfather, many coaches, teachers and older bosses when I was in cooperative education, and old friends had a direct impact on me. They taught me that sacrifice and caring for others are the most important things we can do in life.”
“He has bailed us out many times and I am truly thankful for all he has done for Thornton Academy,” says TA facilities director Matt Cook ’91. “His generosity is second to none. If we had more people like Jimmy the world would be a much better place. “
Distinguished Alumni Award: Hon. Robert Rancourt (ret.) ’69
Judge Rancourt retired as a Minnesota district court judge in 2020, after 18 years on the bench. He worked tirelessly on behalf of youth who were using drugs and alcohol, and sought ways the judicial system could positively intervene to curb the rising levels of juvenile substance abuse. As Chair of the Tenth District Judicial Task Force on Innovative Judicial Interventions, he established a Juvenile Substance Abuse Court in Chisago County. Judge Rancourt also served on the advisory council for the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Judge Rancourt has presented nationally and internationally, including at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. His many accolades include the Stanley Goldstein Treatment Court Hall of Fame Award from All Rise, a training, membership, and advocacy organization for improving justice system responses to substance use and mental health disorders at every intercept point.
At TA, Judge Rancourt was class president and co-captain of the 1968 football team. An all-state fullback, he scored three touchdowns to lead the Trojans to victory in an important game against Biddeford.
“Bob Rancourt has produced a wonderful footprint for students to follow,” said former teacher and athletic director Brad Leach. “Bob has gone from an outstanding student athlete of Thornton Academy to the honorable judge Robert Rancourt, appointed by the governor of Minnesota the Chisago County Court in the Tenth Judicial District.”
Pictured above, from left: Janice Pendleton, Roberta Gallant, Sue Spath, Larry Bowie, Robert Rancourt, Richard Parker, golfers Cody Berkowitz, James Morse, Luke Neilson, Eric Angis, and Brian Angis; 2007 golf coaches Jeff Camarie and Mike Verrier, Jim Godbout.
