Skowhegan Area High School spring sports previews
Girls track
Coach: Soren Siren
Last season: 9th in KVAC A, 22nd in Class A
Top returners: Gabrielle Martineau (Soph., jumps), Angie Camillo (Sr., javelin), Adrienne Davis (Soph., pole vault, jumps)
Key newcomers: Mallory Hancock (Jr.) Liz Noddin (Jr.) Renee Despres (Jr.), Corine Anderson (Soph.), Anna Marshall (Fr., hurdles)
Outlook: Camillo scored well last season and gives the Indians a solid thrower. Newcomers Hancock, Noddin and Despres all should figure into the scoring as well.
Coach's comment: "Last year we had a ton of kids out. We kept a solid 50. Now I have a good 45 kids. But I think we'll be competitive."
Boys track
Coach: Soren Siren
Last season: 9th in KVAC A, 28th in Class A
Top returners: Aaron Champagne (Sr., hurdles), Craig Derouche (Sr., distance), Les Mercier (Sr., throws), Garrett Nelson (Jr., sprints, jumps), Michael Roy (Jr., jumps, sprints), Henry Bonneau (Soph., pole vault)
Key newcomers: Travis Goodwin (Jr., distance), Jamie Vandegraas (Sr., mid-distance), Jacob Weese (Fr., throws)
Outlook: Although the numbers are still low, the Indians feature several athletes who should qualify for the state meet. Nelson qualified for the Class A meet in the 100 and Siren hopes he can build off that success. Vandegraas is a transfer from the Hyde School and could also contribute as well.
Coach's comment: "We have some meets that we can contend and actually win. We'll try to put the best foot forward and win some meets."
Softball
Coach: Lee Johnson (9th season)
Last season: 11-7, made Eastern A semifinals
Top returners: OF Breanna Ames (Sr.), C Sam Gray (Jr.), P Becca McCarty (Jr.), 1B Megan Hancock (Jr.), IF/OF Makayla Hancock (Jr.), SS Whitney Jones (So.), 3B Mary Baker (So.)
Key newcomers: OF Tia Gray (Jr.), OF/1B Danielle Foster (Jr.), P/2B Kady Esty (So.), OF Lexi Ames (So.), P/2B/OF Amanda Johnson (Fr.)
Outlook: They graduated only two seniors from last year's team, and have only one senior this season, but the Indians have the potential to be contenders right now. The pitching, defense and hitting all look solid, and Skowhegan is concentrating on making sure a good team in preseason is a good team in May and June.
Coach's comment: "The biggest thing it comes down to is how well our kids support each other and care about each other."
Baseball
Coach: Rick York (3rd season)
Last season: 11-6, reached Eastern A quarterfinals
Top returners: Cody Vigue (Sr., P-SS), John Little (Sr., 1B), Marcus Morin (Sr., RF), Cody Williamson (Sr., P-3B), Mike Soucier (Jr., LF-P), Jake Knowles (Sr., C), Josh Labrie (Sr., 2B)
Key newcomers: Brandon Falloon (Jr., CF), Nick Billington (Jr., SS-P), Alex Hayden (Jr., IF-P), Billy Clark (Sr., 2B), Jimmy Quiroin (Sr., UT)
Outlook: The Indians graduated three four-year starters, but return enough talent to once again contend in the KVAC North. Vigue is a four-year varsity player who won four games last season. Little, Morin, Williamson and Soucier each contributed last season, as well.
Coach's comment: "We have good chemistry this year. I love this team."
Boys tennis
Coach: Chris King (1st season)
Last season: 8-4, Eastern Class A Quarterfinals
Top returners: Ivan Ilinsky (Sr.), Alex Downing (Sr.), Jordan Clark (Sr.), Ben Quirion (Sr.), John Damon (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Hank Davis (Sr.), Rafe Sargent (Sr.), Marcus Guillmette (Jr.), Artie Perkins (So.), William Qualey (Fr.), Derek Withee (Fr.)
Outlook: The success of four returning seniors -- Ilinsky, Downing, Clark and Quirion -- will go a long way to determining the success of the program. Even though he's a newcomer, Davis could contribute as well.
Coach's comment: "I feel like I have at least five guys who can help out in singles. I see doubles as a strongpoint for us because of team chemistry and how they communicate on the court."
Girls tennis
Coach: Andrew Staples (2nd season)
Last season: 1-11
Top returners: Janet Dosseva (Jr.),
Cheyenne Hertlein (Jr.), Jana Mitchell (Jr.), Kassandra Lee (Sr.), Whitney Blanchet (So.), Carla Dionne (Jr.), Nicole Riddle (Jr.), Savanna Power (So.)
Key newcomers: Alicia Bolduc (Jr.), Danielle Summers (Sr.), Allison Redmond (Fr.), Haley Strout (Fr.), Maddie Brochu (Fr.) Lila Eldridge (So.)
Outlook: The Indians top three singles player from a year ago all graduated. However, Skowhegan has 23 players out this spring, an increase of 10. Jaet Dosseva is the top returning player.
Coach's comment: "Twice as many girls tried out for the team than last year, giving me a very good group of young talent. I am optimistic and very excited to see what we do this year. I think we'll surprise a few teams."
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