Waterville High School fall sports previews
Girls Cross Country
Coach: Koren Coughlin (8th season)
Last season: 4th in KVAC B, 9th in Eastern B
Top returners: Katie Jacobs (Sr.), Carin King (Sr.), Keisha Scott (Jr.), Natasha Griffith (So.), Courtney Williams (So.)
Key newcomers: Carrie Vigue (Fr.), Margaret Robe (Fr.)
Outlook: KVAC Class B champions two years ago, the Waterville program re-loaded last fall after being hit by graduation. That should pay off this season. Jacobs and Williams are two key pieces for the Purple Panthers as they try to make a run this fall at their rival, Maranacook.
Coach's comment: "The focus this year is keeping everyone healthy. Without depth, the girls will have to work with each other to perform well as a team. I look forward to working with this group of girls. There is a good mix of leadership and experience along with talent."
Boys Cross Country
Coach: Koren Coughlin (8th season)
Last season: 4th in KVAC B, 7th in Eastern B
Top returners: Colin Linberger (Jr.), Mike Nelson (Jr.), Brad Loomis (Sr.), Joey Dumont (So.)
Key newcomers: Jeff Hale (So.), Errol Irelan (Fr.), Ryan Lopes (Fr.)
Outlook: Waterville lost of a lot of senior leadership and must rely on a lot of young talent. Nelson showed promise at the end of last season, finishing 16th at the KVAC B championships. Loomis and Linberger can also be key contributors for Waterville. According to Coughlin, a realistic goal is for the team to finish in the top five at KVACs and then qualify for the state championship.
Coach's comment: "This team is quite young this year, so it will take time for the runners to find their stride. I'm excited about this group. There are a number of new runners with talent and drive."
Golf
Coach: Reggie Grenier (5th season)
Last season: 7-2
Home course: Waterville Country Club
Top returners: Ashton White (Sr.), Brendan Scully (Jr.), Cam Sawyer (So.)
Key newcomers: Marcus Godin (So.)
Outlook: The Panthers return everybody from the team that finished sixth in Class B last season. White and Scully played a lot of golf over the summer and should lead the team. With a year of experience under their belts, the Panthers could contend in Class B.
Coach's comment: "I have a good senior core this year."
Girls soccer
Coach: Ian Wilson (2nd season)
Last season: 17-1-1, lost in Class A state final to Gorham, KVAC champions.
Top Returners: M Paige Gardiner (Sr.), GK Taylor Hart (Sr.), D Lizzy Keane (Sr.), M Shelby Tuttle (Sr.), M/D Anna Thurston (Sr.), F Steph Whitten (Sr.), M Kayla Tuttle (Jr.), F Stacy Whitten (Jr.), M Taylor Frame (Jr.), M Sylvia Reynolds (Jr.), M Laura Tozier (Jr.), M Kylee Gardiner (So.), D Katie Massey (So.), F Jordan Pellerin (So.), F Nikki Shannos (Jr), ,Kacey Pellerin (Jr), GK Cara Rousseau (Jr).
Key Newcomers: F Alexa Olivera (Jr), D Kati White (Jr), D Emily Karter (So), M Lexi Allen (Fr), F Annesley Berringer(Fr), M Hannah Jabar (Fr), D Danielle Jacques (Fr), D Lauren Massey (Fr), GK Taylor Picard (Fr), GK Sabrina Rancourt (Fr), M Brittany Salter (Fr), M Olivia Thurston (Fr), F Abbie Webster (Fr).
Outlook: Waterville returns nine starters from last year's highly successful team. With a mix of veterans and talented young players, a deep pool of talent exist to continue the teams strong play. Waterville outscored opponents 100-2 last season.
Coach's comment:"We have the talent to win the state title. If the work ethic in training sessions, team chemistry, and leadership develop positively, we can do it."
Boys soccer
Coach: Jeff Ross (7th season)
Last season: 8-6-2, lost in East A quarterfinal to Brunswick
Top returners: M Nick Christensen (Sr.), D Mike Jabar (Sr.), D Tory Quinn (Sr.), M Ian Rowe (Sr.), D Mike Tozier (Sr.), D Nate Breton (Sr.), F Shawn Lee (Sr.), GK Nick Lee (Jr.), M Jake Sirois (So.), F Wilson Guthro (So.), F Alex Rowe (So.).
Key Newcomers: F Alex Rowe (So.), M Isaiah Spofford (So.).
Outlook: Lost a large piece of the starting line-up to graduation. Will need to rebuild in the back quickly if Waterville plans to challenge for the top spots. Returning players will be thrust into full time roles while gaining experience.
Coach's comment: "We'll be counting on our seniors to bring along the younger players early in the season."
Field hockey
Coach: Amie Dubois (4th season)
Last season: 13-5, Class B state champions
Top returners: B Jen Hale (Sr.), B Stacey Genest (Sr.), B Brittany Locke (Sr.), M Grace Skoszenski (Jr.), F/M Kayla Pellerin (Jr.), F Jenna Jolicouer (Jr.), F Renee Roberts (Jr.), Alexis Russo (So.)
Key newcomers: B Danielle Poulin (Sr.), G Jasmine Bishop (Sr.), M/G Samantha Lopez (Jr.), M Mackenzie Riley (So.), F/B Yvonne Melanson (So.), F Sara Walker (So.), B Sadie Dixon (So.)
Outlook: The defending Class B state champions have an experienced defense and balanced offense. The biggest change is in goal, where Bishop replaces graduated Kristin Tormollan, and Dubois was impressed with Bishop's dedication and improvement.
Coach's comment: "I definitely think we have a lot of potential. We have a lot of speed on the front line. We have a lot of experience on defense."
Football
Head coach: Frank Knight (19th season)
Assistant coaches: Ken Lindlof (offensive coordinator), Dennis Martin (defensive coordinator), Ben Foster (running backs, secondary)
Last season: 6-4, reached Pine Tree Conference Class B semifinals
Offensive leaders: QB Josh Gaudette (Jr., 6-0, 175), QB Kyle Bishop (So., 5-10, 170), FB Kris Huggins (Jr., 5-9, 185), FB/TE Tim Locke (So., 6-1, 180), HB Pete Cote (Jr., 5-9, 170), HB Deune Hardy (Sr., 5-10, 175), HB Brian Guerrette (Jr., 6-1, 175), TE J.D. Gurski (Sr., 6-2, 185), TE Nolan MacDonnell (Sr., 6-2, 180), WR Cam Bishop (Sr., 6-0, 170), WR Tyler Roy (Jr., 5-8, 165), WR Nick Stinson (Sr., 5-8, 165), G Lance Cote (Sr., 5-8, 170), T Mike Allen (Sr., 5-10, 210), T Tyler Cain (Jr., 6-0, 220), C Devin Gibbs (Jr., 5-11, 185), G Derek Allen (Jr., 5-9, 165)
Defensive leaders: NG L. Cote, DT Cain, DT M. Allen, DT Joe Sirois (Sr., 5-10, 275), DE Gurski, DE MacDonnell, DE Locke, LB Guerrette, LB Huggins, LB D. Allen, SS K. Bishop, SS Jared Genest (Sr., 5-8, 170), S Gaudette, S Roy, CB C. Bishop, CB Sam Nashed (Jr., 5-9, 165), CB P. Cote, CB Hardy
Special teams: K K. Bishop, P Gaudette, KR/PR Cote, KR/PR Hardy, KR/PR Roy
Outlook: The biggest question facing the Panthers in the preseason was who replaces Dan Hussey at quarterback. Gaudette and Kyle Bishop were in a tight battle for the starting role. Waterville has a deep group of experienced receivers and returning linemen in Lance Cote, Mike Allen and Tyler Cain. Defensively, the Panthers boast speed in the secondary, led by Cam Bishop.
PREVIOUS WEEK'S SPORTS
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FALL PREVIEWS BY SPORT
High School Sports
Results for Thu. Oct. 9
Boys Soccer
 Mt. Abram 11, Carrabec 0
Girls Soccer
Winthrop 2, Wiscasset 0
Field Hockey
Mt. View 2, Camden Hills 0
Winslow 2, Erskine Academy 0
Results for Wed. Oct. 8
Boys Soccer
Oak Hill 0, Erskine Academy 0
Maranacook 2, Rockland 0
Girls Soccer
Erskine Academy 3, Oak Hill 1
Maranacook 3, Rockland 1
Lisbon 3, Winthrop 0
Field Hockey
Hall-Dale 3, Boothbay Region 0
Winthrop 4, Georges Valley 2
Results for Tue. Oct. 7
Boys Soccer
Lewiston 2, Cony 1
Girls Soccer
Cony 2, Lewiston 1
Girls Volleyball
Cony 3, North Yarmouth Academy 2 box score
Field Hockey
Mt. Ararat 2, Mt. Blue 1
Schedules
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