$23,000 Raised for NAMI - A Recap of the 2nd Mental Health Matters to ME Tournament

On the first morning of 2026, while most of Maine sought the aid of Advil and a greasy breakfast, the courts at Maine Pines were alive with the sound of pickleballs and purpose at the 2nd Annual Mental Health Matters to ME Tournament, held in memory of Derek Ramsay.

Over 169 players, 106 teams, and 260+ matches filled the venue with intensity and community energy. As such, the event raised $23,000 for two Maine nonprofits - NAMI Maine and Shalom House - organizations that provide education, advocacy, housing resources, and daily support for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions.

Shalom House provides stable housing, community rehabilitation, and recovery-focused services that help adults living with serious mental illness pursue long-term stability and independence.

What follows is a detailed attempt to capture the scope of the day - highlighting competitive results, memorable matchups, and the many players, volunteers, and partners who made the event what it was. But first, two matters of house-keeping:

1. This tournament was a beast - over 150 players across like 6 different events. We did our best to get every name, score, and total right. So, for all the Poindexters nitpicking me on spelling, scores, and point-differentials, please forward all discrepancies to someoneelse@nobodyshere.org.

2. Yes, a lot of these photos are blurry. I'm still learning photography, especially capturing movement and distance. Ok? Ok. :I

Men's Doubles: Skill 3.0 & Under

Teams: 5 | Format: Round-robin

Gold went to Ric Newman & Robert French, who finished with a strong +24 point differential, applying consistent pressure from the opening games. Silver was claimed by John Hayden & Jon Hubert, whose resilience - including a narrow win over Newman/French earlier in the day - kept them firmly in medal position. Daniel StPierre & Jason Van Buren captured bronze with steady scoring and solid point control throughout the round-robin. All three podium teams finished 3-1, with point differential ultimately deciding placement.

Men's Doubles: Skill 3.5 & Under

Teams: 5 | Format: Round-robin

Tom & Greg Moore dominated the division, finishing 4-0 while conceding just 16 total points across the day, including multiple double-digit wins. Steve Raymond & Mark Weaver secured silver through consistent, low-risk play. Matthew & Gordon Strout rounded out the podium, highlighted by a hard-fought 15-14 win in one of the closest matches of the bracket (hell yeah, Steve).

Men's Doubles: Skill 4.0 & Above

Teams: 10 | Format: Round-robin pools → Medal matches

In the deepest men's field of the tournament, Abe Richards & Teddy Morin claimed gold with a commanding 11-2 finals win over Nate Merrill & Silas Walsh, capping a day defined by ball control, disciplined shot selection, and envious spectators reminiscing about being young and injury-free. Richards/Morin separated early with repeated shutouts and near-shutouts in pool play.

Merrill/Walsh impressed with an undefeated pool slate before falling in the final.

In a stunning case of brother turning against brother, bronze went to Josh Leighton & Luke Peavey, who narrowly defeated fellow SALT gang operatives John Ruppert and Alexander Knox 11-9. The battle left emotional scars on all involved, particularly Ruppert, who still insists the loss was due to playing with “multiple injuries” - both physical and emotional. Historians will remember it as the day individual SALT members chose personal glory over a unified syndicate.

Mixed Doubles: Skill 3.0 & Under

Teams: 10 | Format: Round-robin pools → Finals

Denise Achorn & Robert French delivered one of the most efficient runs of the tournament, surrendering just seven total points in pool play before closing with an 11-1 finals win over Emi Paradise & Aidan Hall. Paradise/Hall also entered the final unbeaten, setting up a true high-performance matchup. Page & Frank Green earned bronze through controlled, disciplined play in the medal round.

Mixed Doubles: Skill 3.5 & Under

Field: 20 teams

Lisa Gilbride & Darrell Lockwood captured gold through a blend of dominant wins and composed bracket play. Peggy Tilton & Steven MacLean took silver after an undefeated preliminary run prior to the finals. Victoria Thieme & Thomas Toohey secured bronze, navigating both tight mid-bracket matches and elimination pressure.

Noticeably absent from the podium were SALT athletes Tommy Siegel and Melanie Alt, who started several matches strong before letting those early leads slip away. Time to lock in, Tom.

Also repping SALT was Dot Logan, who somehow managed to both compete with partner Norm Woods and help run the tournament itself. Between organizing brackets, managing players, and still finding time to bring the heat on court, Logan was everywhere at once. Logan, like many of the day's participants, has ties to Midcoast Maine Pickleball, the membership-based club that manages courts throughout the Brunswick area.

Mixed Doubles: Skill 4.0 & Above

Field: 18 teams

In the top mixed division, Kylee Moody & Teddy Morin earned gold with an 11-4 finals victory over Julie Brooke & Eric Lundquist, punctuated by multiple lopsided wins earlier in bracket play (including two

15-1 results). Brooke/Lundquist took silver, while bronze went to Colleen Everaard & Robert Baiguy following an 11-0 medal match win. Competitive mid-round games underscored the tactical depth of this field.

Women's Doubles: Skill 3.0 & Under

Teams: 14 | Format: Extended Round-Robin

Denise Achorn & Kristina Record went undefeated to secure gold, closing with an 11-5 finals win over Ann Flannery & Claire Betze, who had themselves been unbeaten until that match. Fran Marquis & Ann Grout claimed bronze with an 11-7 victory. Several one-point results earlier in the day reflected strong competitive balance across the division.

Women's Doubles: Skill 3.5 & Under

Teams: 14 | Format: Extended Round-Robin

Lisa Mark & Jane Martell completed an undefeated run, earning gold with an 11-9 finals win over LK Gagnon & Laura Plunkett, who posted the highest point differential prior to the championship. Kate Park & Nancy Roderick secured bronze after an 11-7 medal match. Narrow margins throughout pool play highlighted how small momentum shifts shaped final standings.

Women's Doubles: Skill 4.0 & Above

Teams: 10

In the top women's bracket, Colleen Everaard & Cari Turnbull emerged undefeated, clinching gold with an 11-7 finals win over Danielle Mayer & Anne Aldridge-Peacock. Mayer/Aldridge-Peacock's deep run earned silver, while Hallie Robinson & Lorrie Cardwell captured bronze with an 11-7 medal match victory. Robinson and Cardwell - long-time suspected affiliates of SALT - once again showed their competitive consistency at the 4.0+ level.

Community, Sponsors & Impact

Beyond the results, the day was defined by purpose. Players, volunteers, and spectators collectively contributed to an event whose impact will extend far beyond the courts through NAMI Maine's advocacy and peer-support programs and Shalom House's housing and recovery-focused services.

We were humbled to compete alongside and be supported by so many sponsors, partners, and community organizations who gave generously - with time, resources, and energy - to make the tournament possible.

Looking Ahead

Mental Health Matters to ME continues to set a strong example of how competitive structure and charitable purpose can coexist. With strong turnout, meaningful funds raised, and high-quality play across divisions, the tournament has established a clear foundation for future growth.

For everyone involved, the message was clear: pickleball can be more than competition - it can be connection, community, and contribution.

Tournament Photo Highlights

Want to share or download photos? All images from this tournament are available in our full gallery.

Thanks to everyone who played, volunteered, donated, or just showed up to cheer. If you didn’t make it this time, start training now - you’ve got a year to work on that backhand.