Girls Tennis

Coach: Sonja Frey

Last year’s record: 11-1, won Class A West and played in the state championship match.

Key returning players: “We’re looking for a lot from senior Natalie Egbert, who ended up in the top six singles’ players at the tournament last spring,” Frey said. “This season should also be big for senior Sarah Moir in singles and Michelle Pham, a sophomore, who jumps to singles this year. In doubles, we’d like a good year from junior Emily Estes and sophomore Chloe Johnson and Colleen Ward and Megan Creeden, who are both seniors.”

Key matches this season: “McAuley will be a division contender,” Frey said. “Kennebunk has a top-flight singles’ player and a new coach, so they are dangerous too.”

Season outlook: After falling just short of the ultimate prize last year, the Rams are looking to go even further this spring and capture the state championship. “We are hoping and planning on advancing far into the tournament and maybe winning the division again,” Frey said. “That would enable us to go the state championship for the second consecutive year.”

Boys Track

Coach: Jason Tanguay

Last year’s record: 11-1

Key returning athletes: The Rams will rely on seniors Kam Alexander, jumps and hurdles; Ben Besanko, sprints and Jeremy Earl, distance. Gorham will also lean on juniors Ryan Baillargeon, racewalk; Carter Bowers, jumps; Nate Bucknell, racewalk, middle distance; Brandon Cushman, hurdles; Cortland Dunn, middle distance; Kyle Nealey, throws and Jesse Orach, distance, as well as sophomores Connor Dunn, middle distance; Troy Lambert, pole vault; Matt McKenney, sprints; Julian Nijkamp, hurdles; Alex Thuotte, racewalk, distance and Cam Willette, throws.

Key meet this season: “The second meet of the season is our rivalry meet against Windham, Westbrook and Scarborough,” Tanguay said.

Season outlook: “We are a young team that graduated some big points from last year’s group,” Tanguay said. “Our team numbers are higher this year than last year, but we will need many underclassmen and newcomers to step forward early in order for us to be successful as a team. We do return many quality athletes that will need to set the right example so our inexperienced athletes will know what is expected to be successful. I am excited about the potential this team brings into the season.”

Softball

Coach: Dennis Crowe, first year

Last year’s record: 11-7

Key returning players: The Rams are counting on the experience of pitchers Alex Tracy and Taylor Hansen, infielder Alyssa Clark, and outfielders Leah Keene and Caroline Fogarty.

Key games this season: “Early (in the) season Marshwood and Massabesic stand out for me,” Crowe said. “And then the last four games of the season against Deering, Westbrook, Windham and Noble should be a very important stretch for us.”

Season outlook: In his first year at the helm of the Rams’ softball squad, Crowe said he expects the team will be a factor when the Class A West tournament rolls around. “We should be competitive with most of the league,” Crowe said. “If we play as well as we are capable of playing, we should be competing for a playoff spot.”

Baseball

Coach: Chuck Nadeau

Last year’s record: 4-12

Key returning players: Four seniors will anchor the Rams. Shortstop Steve Broy batted .489 last year, had 15 RBIs, and made first-team SMAA shortstop, while catcher Brendon Joyce batted .293. Outfielder Zach Speirs hit for an impressive .343, and pitcher Mike Arsenault featured an outstanding 3.77 ERA and ended 2010 with a 3-2 record.

Season outlook: After a down season last year, Nadeau said he thinks the Rams are on the upswing. “We will have a nice mix of experienced seniors to go with a developing – but talented – sophomore class,” Nadeau said. “How quickly some of the younger kids can contribute consistently will be a big factor in our success on the field. Mike Arsenault will lead a young pitching staff that will be much-improved over a year ago. Our offense will be lead by Broy, Joyce and Speirs. This will be the most solid and most athletic team I have had at Gorham in my three years.”

Girls Track

Coach: John Caterina

Last year’s record: 8-4, 5th place in the SMAA championship meet, 10th place in the Class A championship meet.

Key returning players: The Rams will look to senior Jenny Thuotte, juniors Audrey Adkison, Leanna Dalfonso, Katie Flanders, Kelsey Pequinot, Sarah Perkins, Sabrina Rowell, Clara Stickney, Deireann Stillson and Jeannette Villaneueva and sophomores Lindsay Chapman, Caitlin Childress, Marissa Rush and Quincy Shaw to score points this season.

Season outlook: “We will be strong in the distance races, sprints, hurdles, racewalk and pole vault,” Caterina said. “But we need to develop some throwers from a young group that shows lots of potential. We are a very young team but with a lot of very athletic girls. I am very optimistic that Gorham will be in contention as one of the top teams in the SMAA this spring and, hopefully, be a top five finisher in the state meet in June.”

The boys tennis and boys and girls lacrosse previews were not available as of press time.

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