Messalonskee High School spring sports previews
Boys track & field
Coach: Scott Wilson (4th season)
Last season: 10th in KVAC A meet, 22nd in Class A
Top returners: Erik Anderson (Sr. spints); Phil Finemore (Sr., throws), Dominic Colizzi (So., sprints/jumps), Jeremiah Dumas (Sr., distance).
Key newcomers: Reggie Clark (Jr., jumps), Harlow Ladd (Fr., distance), Garrett Olsen (Fr., hurdles, jumps)
Outlook: Anderson and Finemore will pick up much of the scoring for the Eagles. Anderson had a sensational indoor season, winning two events at the Class A meet. He missed the Class A outdoor meet last spring with a hamstring injury, and he’s eager to stay healthy for a whole season.
Coach’s comment: “We’ll have some standouts with Erik and Phil. Hopefully, we’ll be in the mix.”
Girls track & field
Coach: Scott Wilson (4th season)
Last season: 6th at KVAC A, 6th in Class A
Key returners: Brook Devereaux (Sr., race walk), Megan Collier (So., distance), Laurel Finlayson (Sr., hurdles)
Key newcomers: Rebecca Luce (Fr., mid-distance, distance), Elizabeth Young (Fr., mid-distance), Chloe Elliot (Fr., sprints, jumps)
Outlook: For the first time in a few years, the Eagles won’t be all but guarenteed 40 points from Jesse Labreck in every meet. Wilson expects big things from Collier and freshman Elliot. Devereaux is coming off foot surgery, but should provide the team some points in the race walk as well.
Coach’s comment: “We have some athletes and I’m very excited. Everyone’s in the mix, so we’ll see how it goes.”
SOFTBALL
Coach: Leo Bouchard (4th season)
Last season: 8-9, made Eastern A prelims
Top returners: DP Brittany Corey (Sr.), C Juliana Fekete (Jr.), 3B Krista Lawler (Jr.), SS Lauren Hachey (Jr.), P Chelsea Smith (Jr.), CF Emily Weeks (Jr.), IF Mackenzie Labbe (Jr.), IF Morgan Workman (Jr.)
Key newcomers: UT Alex Eugley (Sr.), 1B Hannah Dexter (Jr.), OF Jenna Newman (Jr.), OF Hannah Jalette (So.), OF Amy Jose (So.), IF Ali Collier (So.), P Sarah Boynton (Fr.)
Outlook: The Eagles improved by six wins last spring, and lost only three players from that group. This is still a young team, and should be strong enough to handle being taken more seriously by its opponents this year. If the Eagles can be more consistent on offense, they could take another step forward.
Coach’s comment: “They’re very excited about the season, extremely excited. They expect a lot from themselves.”
Baseball
Coach: Ray Bernier (3rd season)
Last season: 7-10, reached Eastern A prelims
Top returners: Matt Stuart (Sr., P-3B), Joe Dumont (Sr., OF), Mike Bouchard (Sr., P-OF), Brandon Hall (Sr., C-P), Cam Ray (Sr., 2B-3B), Andrew Breton (Sr., P-IF-OF)
Key newcomers: Phil Cormier (Jr., P-OF), Dylan Foster (Jr., SS), Patrick Wrigley (Jr., P-3B), Nate Veilleux (Jr., P-C), Nick Booth (Jr., P-OF), Cale Knox (Jr., OF), Desmond Nutter (Jr., 1B), Sam Dexter (Fr., 2B-SS)
Outlook: The Eagles graduated eight seniors, including starters up the middle. Hall, who saw some time at catcher, will be behind the plate, while Foster and Dexter take over at short and second, respectively. Stuart is the top returning pitcher, and Cormier will see time on the mound as well.
Coach’s comment: “I like this group. They look like they really want to play baseball.”
Boys lacrosse
Coach: Tom Sheridan (15th season)
Last season: 8-5, lost in East A semifinal to Brunswick
Top returners: M Chris Pelletier (Sr.), GK Chris Delguidice (Jr.), D Eric Caron (Sr.), A Nate Snow (Jr.), D Brian Candage (Sr.).
Key newcomers: M Kennan Knox (So.), M Jacob Erskine (So.), M Cam Douglas (So.), D Josh Smith (So.), D Brock Garten (So.).
Outlook: Messalonskee graduated 14 players last spring, but have a strong program in place with enough quality players ready to step into the starting lineup. The Eagles midfield will be a strength and they will work to score in transition. Senior defenders Eric Caron and Brian Candage are expected to combine with junior keeper Chris Delguidice to provide a strong defense.
Coach’s comment: “The team is focused on making it back to the postseason and challenging for the KVAC championship.”
Girls lacrosse
Coach: Heather Merrill (8th season)
Last season: 5-7
Top returners: A Abbey Stacey (So.), A Miranda Tinsman (Sr.), M Hilary Flynn (Sr.), M Avery Kadnar (Sr.), M Katie Grenier (Sr.), M Hannah Stucki (Jr.), M Ali Omsberg (So.), D Anaise Williams (Sr.), D Chantel Genest (Sr.), GK Sarah Jacques (Jr.).
Key newcomers: Not available at press time
Outlook: The Eagles gained valuable experience last spring and return their entire varsity lineup. Jacque will provide support from an experience defense from her position in goal. Messalonskee has plenty of experience in the midfield and attacking positions and should be a dangerous team.
Coach’s comment: “Last year we were inexperienced, starting seven new players. The team improved dramatically through last season. All our varsity players have returned and we are looking forward to a very successful season.”
Boys tennis
Coach: Ed Hinkley (2nd season)
Last season: 8-4, Eastern Class A Quarterfinals
Top returners: Spencer Churchill (Sr.), Brian Doolittle (Jr.), Spencer Leuttich (Jr.), Gabe Lee (So.), Jacob Luce (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Mike Berube (Sr.), Ben Collins (Fr.), Matt Dyer (So.), Harrison Goodhue (So.), Derek Holmsen (So.), Eric Jacques (Fr.), Tyler Jones (Fr.), Chris Knight (Fr.), Justin Rice (So.), Matt Vaganov (Exchange Student-Russia)
Outlook: The Eagles lost seven seniors to graduation, but does have a large group of newcomers. Churchill returns at no. 1 singles to provide stability to the lineup.
Coach’s comment: “We’re going to have to work hard and the kids are going to have to learn and grown the team. The doubles teams will be made out of the new kids.”
Girls tennis
Coach: Caroline Mathes (8th season)
Last season: 7-5, Western Class A Quarterfinals
Top returners: Paige Begley (Sr.), Nicole Schutte (Sr.), Audrey Knowlton (Jr.), Erin Chapin (Jr.), Mia Buchsbaum (Jr.), Jordan Stolt (Jr.), Paige Oliver (So.), Alana Silverman (So.), Kristen Brann (So.), Kelsey Woodhead (So.), Abby Cyr (So.), Lindsey Steiner (So.), Jessica McKiel (So.), Chantal Duchaine (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Kelley Boyce (Fr.), Erin Candage (Fr.), Daphne Spear (Jr.)
Outlook: Eight players who saw time on the varsity squad last year return for the eagles. The biggest question is who will play No. 3 singles behind Knowlton and Chapin. The Eagles are also without Nicole Schutte, who suffered an injury in gymnastic and will not be able to compete.
Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of returners and are hopeful we are going o do well.† I’m happy so many of them returned.”
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