Shae Cornette spends most of her time at ESPN in the studio as an anchor on SportsCenter.
But as part of the network’s “50 States in 50 Days Tour” this summer, the TV host has also spent time on a BMX bike, a horse and even a Maine lobster boat.
Cornette was in the Pine Tree State this past weekend, and it gave her a chance to learn more about lobster and the state that produces more of it than anywhere else in the country.
“I went lobstering, and then also was at the Maine Lobster Festival,” Cornette told the Bangor Daily News on Monday. “So I really saw the start to finish process of the whole lobstering community there in Maine, which was really special to me. And I absolutely loved it.”
The ESPN national tour started on June 27 and runs through Aug. 16. It features various network anchors traveling across the country to various sporting events and other community festivals.
Prior to her recent trip to Maine, Cornette’s coverage as part of the cross-country trek for ESPN featured the BMX Mount Rushmore Nationals bike competition in South Dakota, Green Bay Packers training camp in Wisconsin and the Neshoba County Fair in Mississippi.
Cornette had been to Maine before for a quick trip, but hadn’t gotten to know the state like she did this time around. That’s especially true when it comes to her newfound familiarity with Maine’s famous crustacean.
“You know, I understood that lobster was like a delicacy to not only just the area of Maine, but also to everywhere in the world,” Cornette said. “But now I understand why.”
The experience allowed her to understand “the process, the thoughtfulness, the carefulness that has to go into it — like handling lobsters and which ones you keep, and which ones you throw back.”
Both on the boat and at the festival in Rockland, she learned a lot about the flavor of lobster and the many different ways they can be enjoyed.
The sports anchor even did her best to add a competitive element to the trip, trying to pull up the buoys and traps as quickly as possible while she was on the water.
“I was really working it, and then I’d be upset if there weren’t large lobsters in the trap, like it was my fault that they weren’t in there or something,” she said.
And at the festival, she tried to sample as many different lobster varieties as possible.
Her favorite? That was a Caesar lobster wrap that left her wondering why it’s not a more common menu item (likely because of the price, she conceded).
“It was phenomenal, and I’ve dreamt about it ever since,” Cornette said about that particular Maine meal.
Throughout the experience, Cornette found Mainers and visitors from out of state who were happy to tell their stories and share lobster recommendations. It made for an experience that was “much more laid back” than some of the other stops along the national tour where each state has been unique.
After riding a BMX bike in South Dakota and going up Mount Rushmore, riding a horse and a Ferris wheel in Mississippi, and following the Packers at camp, Maine offered a change of pace to close out her portion of the tour.
“Maine was more chill. It was like, here’s how we fish, here’s how we eat, here’s how we chat, here’s how you use the word ‘wicked,’” Cornette said. “I was learning more of these kinds of things, which was more my speed for early August. This is a very nice way to cap off my 50 states to 50 days. So I absolutely loved that about Maine.”
And she loved the lobster, but she’s also ready to take a break from it after her two and a half days in the state.
“I think I’m good on it for a little bit now,” she said. “I really ate myself through all the lobster in Maine. I think I can take a pause on the lobster for a little bit now.”
She’ll be heading back behind the anchor desk for ESPN, but is thankful for the chance to get out into communities across the country and learn more about the “niche sports” of fishing, horseback riding and BMX. She called sports “a great connector” and was glad to be able to learn from others’ experiences and expertise.
“That’s why I’ve always wanted to be in sports, always wanted to work it. It brings us together, lifts us up,” she said. “And I think being on the road and in front of these different types of people and types of communities has really shown that even further.”
Cornette’s segment from Maine will air on ESPN on Wednesday during a special 7 a.m. edition of SportsCenter.
