TOPSHAM

The Mt. Ararat High School spring sports directory features a new coach in Bob Neron, who takes over for Bruce Kingdon on the baseball diamond.

Baseball

Coach — Bob Neron, first year.

2011 highlights — 4-12 in KVAC regular season, no postseason

Season opener — April 18, home with Brunswick.

Returnees — Seniors Joe Ashouwak (3B), Torrey Charnock (P/C), Jordan Daigle (OF), Brendan Glass (OF), Ian Pinette (C/3B), Zach Pratt (1B), Joey Van Note (IF/P); juniors Trent Charnock (1B), Reid Drouin (P/OF), Ryan Lathrop (IF/P).

Newcomers — Seniors Dylan Cyr (OF), Troy Frey (UT/P), Mike Schuman (OF), Steve Utecht (OF/DH); juniors Sam Coombs (C), Jake Liedman (OF/1B), Ryan Moody (OF/DH), Gabe Pelletier (IF).

“My goal is for us to be as strong as we can up the middle, but it still comes down to our bats,” said Neron. “We will go as far as our bats take us. If we can go six-deep in the lineup, we will be a tough team because I believe our pitching is above average, with starters being Torrey Charnock, Lathrop and Drouin.”

“We realize for us to get to where we want to go, the playoffs, that we have to beat teams like Brunswick, Lewiston and Oxford Hills. So, the opener with Brunswick is a big game for us to get pointed in the right direction.”

Softball

Coach — Rick Bartlett.

2011 highlights — 9-7 regular season, no postseason. Taylor Pare was a First Team All- KVAC pick and Shauna Williams a Second Team selection as both batted .500

Season opener — April 18, home with Brunswick.

Returnees — Seniors Shauna Williams ( CF), Alicia Eggelston (LF), Dana Green (RF), Jodie Curley (3B) and Danielle Small (utility); juniors — Taylor Pare (C), Mallory Nelson (1B), Micaela Mitchell (SS), Emily Dunn (2B); sophomore — Kim Leslie (P).

Newcomers — Seniors Sarena Hall, Kayla Chamberlin; juniors Anne McIntire and Maggie Wessell; sophomores Devon Hutchins and Brittani Littleford

“With experience returning at all positions except pitcher, this team should be very strong defensively,” said Bartlett. “ We are missing Miranda Riendeau’s power at the plate, but I expect a lot of the returning players to hit better in their second year, so offensively we should be respectable.

“ Pitching is the big question entering the season. Miranda Riendeau Card (now at Trinity College) pitched all 16 games last season. Leslie has worked hard in the offseason to take her place, and Maggie Wessell has looked good during preseason.”

Postseason possibilities?

“I believe we have a good chance of making the postseason if our experience and ability reaches it potential,” said Bartlett. “We should have a really solid team that can win a lot of games.”

Boys lacrosse

Coach — Matt Haskell.

2011 highlights — 6-6 regular season, lost to Messalonskee 17- 6 in Eastern B quarterfinals.

Season opener — April 13, home with Messalonskee.

Returnees: Seniors Jeremy Hart (M) Robert Cornelison (All-KVAC Defenseman), Jonathan Brown ( Attack), Nick Oram ( A), Josh Richards (A), Thomas Gross (Long Stick Midfielder), Kellan Bonnar ( M), Roman Curran ( D), Jordain Francine ( M), Alden Talbot ( M), Evan Whidden (M), Brett Martin (D) and Nick Greenlaw (M); juniors Ed Maguire (Goaltender), Jason Tome, (M), Will Hirnak (M), Kevin Nolan (D), Zack Greene (LSM) and Greg Wallace (GK); sophomores Devin Monteiro (D) and Connor Read (G).

“The goal is to improve on last year’s 6-6 record and challenge for a playoff spot,” said Haskell. “The strength of this team will be in the amount of experience that is returning. Getting this many players back gets a great jump going into the season.

I am very excited about the leadership and dedication to the team this group is bringing.

“This is a high-energy group that has been showing up early and staying late to prepare. The amount we have accomplished in such a short time, while having as much fun as we’ve had, has set a great tone that I expect will carry through the season.

“This team has the potential to make a statement in the playoffs, and we get the first two tests early against Messalonskee and Brunswick.”

Girls lacrosse

Coach — Sam Chard.

2011 highlights — 7-5 regular season, lost to Brunswick 13-12 in Eastern A semifinals.

Season opener — April 20, home with Cony.

Returnees: Seniors Haley Michaud (Center), Sara Berry (DW), Rowley Jones ( Home), Hannah Hauser (AW), Anna Bruning (GK), Maggie Bouchard (DW), Julia Edgerton (Home), Zoe Bradshaw; juniors Sydni Clark (CP) and Sonja Robert (P); sophomores have Cat Johnson (Third Man), Sierra Gilley (AW), Carly Raymond (Home) and Bailey Sullivan (GK).

Newcomers are Brooke Shea (Home), Cassidy Lumbert (Home), Libby Davis (Home), Connie Hodge (Home), Katy Labbay (Home), Lindsey Cornelison (Center) and Rebecca Schuman (Third Man).

“We look pretty strong this season with a lot of veterans returning from last season,” said Chard. “We’ve got some skills and kids who work hard, a very competitive combination.

“ Our defense should be strong with everyone returning from last season. With the addition of some new players, our defense should have some depth as well. Our offense will consist of new faces this year, but it’s exciting to see them in action. I think we’ll score more goals and be more spread out.

“This team can go pretty deep into the playoffs, but it’s going to have to come from within. On paper, we look pretty tough, but it’s the heart and determination that will make this team succeed.

“I think it’ll be a tough year with playing rivals such as Morse, Brunswick, Cony and Messalonskee, and we all know how rival games can turn out to be. The game is getting better and better each year and it seems like every program is as well. I like the new rule of a “power play.” It should add some new dimensions to the game and the kids are pretty excited about it!”

Boys tennis

Coach — Don Foley.

2011 highlights — 8-4 regular season, lost to Lewiston 4-1 in Eastern A semifinals.

Season opener — April 23, home with Mt. Blue.

Returnees: senior Mike Adams; junior Max Johnstone; sophomore Nick Rogers.

Newcomers include freshmen Charlie Gill and TJ Ackerman, sophomore Joe Thomas and junior Dan Ewing.

“We graduated eight seniors and would love to be able to fill their shoes,” said Foley. “We are making every effort to transition our returning players and our newcomers into a cohesive team.

“ The players have shown a tremendous amount of energy and a determination to improve their skills. This is one of the most competitive schedules we’ve ever had and it would be a real bonus to make the postseason.”

Still, Foley likes their commitment.

“The kids have been great in the preseason and are well aware of their responsibilities and the challenges ahead,” he lauded.

Girls tennis

Coach — Sheila Bohlin.

2011 highlights — 5-7, no postseason.

Season opener — April 23, home with Mt. Blue.

Returnees: Seniors Sarah Hill, Anna Rohman, Amanda Levesque and Meghan Schofield, with Hill, Rohman and Levesque vying for top three singles spots; junior Marti Crippen, who played doubles last year.

“Many outstanding sophomores who have been working on their game this winter: Amy Segars, Kathleen Bodmer, Izzy Leon, Marie Ring, Eva Jensen, Olivia Watson, Emma Chase and Haley Dolloff,” said Bohlin.

Newcomers include Christine Levesque, Allison Melcher, Emma Etnier, Eliza Hodge, Priscilla Whitney, Renee Rossignol and Emily Judkins.

“Although the record may show we lost more matches than we won, there were some impressive personal wins,” said Bohlin. “As a team that worked together and supported each other, it was one of the best in all my years coaching. They were and are a terrific group of young women on and off the court.

“Although it’s early, it appears we will have more depth and experience than last year.”

Track and Field

Coach — Diane Fournier.

2011 highlights — McKenzie Gary was second in State Class A long jump (21-103), while Randi London was second in shot put (37-02.50) and third in discus (106-03) and Maddison Prescott fourth in triple jump (32-11) and sixth in 100 (13.41). Colby Gail was fourth in high jump (5-0).

Season opener — Friday at Edward Little.

“Small group of girls, some gaps, not sure how the new athletes will fit in yet … too soon to tell,” said Fournier.

“ Good group of hard- working girls, fun to be around, and I think they will do well. Got some strength back in distance. Weakness will be depth, but we got Lizzie O’Neal back this spring.

“Postseason, not sure what will happen. We have to remain healthy. I think Brunswick and Edward Little are the two teams to beat.”

Seniors on the roster include Morgan Martin (distance, relays, jumps), Emilia McGrath (distance, relays, hurdles). Juniors include Jordana Joy ( distance, relays), Kelsey Kramer (sprints, relays, pole vault), Elsie Morgan ( distance, relays), Lizzie O’Neal, ( sprints, hurdles, relays), Eloise Melcher (throws), Krista Pierce (race/walk), Maddie Prescott (sprints, jumps, relays), Brennie Radulski (distance, relays), Lizzie Swanholm (distance, relays).

Among the sophomores, look for Maggie Broughton (sprints, PV), Alicia Caterina (distance), Emmie Cox (distance, relays), Kristyn Doughty (throws), Carly Lavallee (throws), Kelly Lynch ( distance, relays), Brigitte Milliken ( shot, javelin, relays), Shyanne Poplaski (sprints, high jump, relays), Nicole Ross (sprints, jumps, relays).

Freshmen include Allison Allisot (throws), Hannah Cooper (sprints, jumps), Jessy Doyle (sprints, high jump), Crystal Floccher (sprints, jumps), Lauren Grant ( sprints, jumps), Michaela Hattoy (distance, relays), Rebecca McLaughlin (springs, hurdles), Abbey Morgan (throws), Alyssa Scannevin (springs, relays) and Olivia Swan (distance, hurdles, high jump, relays).

Boys coach Ryan Holmes returns a large group of athletes.

Returning athletes are seniors Seth Bryant (distances, relays), Nate Bryant (distances, relays), McKenzie Gary (sprints, jumps), Greg Kritzman ( pole vault, hurdles), Andy Reifman-Packett (distances, relays); juniors Danny Catlin (distances), Steven Fisher (distances), Kendall Hester ( distances); sophomores Isaac Bradshaw (distances), Jake Demosthenes (400, 800, relays), Nate Mackenzie (distances), Jake Papa ( distances), Justin Pierce ( high jump, race/ walk), Mike Potvin (throws), Nick Rancourt (pole vault, sprints), Deshaun Ulrickson (throws, sprints), Ty Veno (sprints, relays), Sam Wood (distances).

Newcomers are senior Darine Gnidehoue (sprints, relays); juniors Tommy Goodwin ( pole vault, sprints, relays), Brandon Wyatt (pole vault, sprints, relays); sophomores Ryan Johnson (sprints, high jump), Ben Wade (sprints, jumps); freshmen Charlie Crosby ( jumps, sprints), Devon Drew ( sprints, jumps), Teddy Burns (distances), Thomas Emerson (distances), Josh Fergeson (sprints), Matt Gott (distances), Trevor Mayo ( sprints), Andrew McCracken (pole vault, hurdles, sprints).

“Last year, the boys track team had a successful season,” said Holmes. “They finished strong in the KVACs and at the state meet. The energy was high and we bring a lot of returners to this season. The highlight of the season last year was the winning the boys freshman state championships. That was the boys first-ever state championship in the history of the school.

“ This year we are looking to improve upon our season from last year and look to be contenders during the regular and post season. We bring in a lot of young experience to the team this year with a large sophomore class. This is the same class that won the freshman title last year.”

“We have a very strong distance crew with a lot of depth this year. I see both the Bryants and Reifman- Packett leading the team in distance as seniors with a strong work ethic and a lot of motivation.

“Following in there footsteps will be the younger Sam Wood, Nate Mckenzie, and newcomer Matt Gott. These young boys might give the seniors a run for their money. My hope is that these boys feed off each other and keep the motivation high with the internal drive they all bring to our team.

“Also, we have senior leader McKenzie Gary leading the sprints and jumps. This season he looks stronger than he ever has and has dedicated himself to the weight room to improve his abilities and keep himself healthy.

“I never like to make predictions about postseason because, in track and field, their are many things that can become variables (injuries and academics for example). Mt. Ararat has been contenders for the past few years, however, we needed everything to go our way in order to reach the ultimate goal of a championship. This year is no different, but again, we will need everything to go our way.

“We have a very strong team with contributions coming from all around. We have a lot of sophomores that will help this team, as well as many new comers at all grade levels that will be hard to foresee where they end up.”