Cross Country
Coach: Kurt Peterson
Key athletes lost: Ethan Chadwick, Hannah Chadwick
Key athletes returning: Jeff McCubrey, Tim Moore, Andrew Gianattasio, Cam Meserve, Devyn Hatch, Ian St. John, Evan Willey, Cody Doucette, Nate Casali, Olivia Toole, Emily Colson, Kennedy Brake
Key newcomers: Travis Corson, Jared Maher, Trey Spearrin, Brody Sanborn, Alex Kuvaja, Jonathan Boos, Libby Blais, Aleesa Jordan
Key matchups: Poland, Gray-New Gloucester, Fryeburg
Outlook: Peterson’s boys squad is sizable this year, with more than 20 competitors on the roster; they’re looking to reach States for the second year running. His girls’ squad has a more modest goal: to score in every meet, and see where that gets them.

Field Hockey
Coach: Pauline Webb
Last year’s record: 8-8
Key players lost: Maddie Nelson (G), Olivia Deschenes (F), Dessi Berry (F), Hailey Parsons (M), Kelsey Apovian (D)
Key players returning: Paige Davis (F), Delaney Meserve (F), Julia Murch (M), Shayla Dunn (M), Emerson Dinsmore (D), Alli Vogel (D). Victoria Ross (M), Kaitlyn Plummer (F)
Key matchups: “Class B is a tough league,” Webb says. “I’m looking at each game as a key matchup.”
Outlook: “We’re looking to improve last year’s record and go deeper into playoffs,” Webb says. “We have a lot of potential. We need to stay healthy, focused, play with intensity and peak at the right time.”

Boys Soccer
Coaches: Ryan Harlow (head), Don White (asst.)
Last year’s record: 2-12
Key players lost: Tristen Chaine, Theo Snow
Key players returning: CJ Ferguson (sr., G); Nate Bragdon-Clements (sr., M); Giovani Lopez (so., A); Jason Harlow (so., A); Logan Davis (so., M/G)
Key newcomers: Walker Elsaesser (jr., D); Laim Grass (so., D/M); Matt Aker (fr., A)
Key matchups: Poland, Fryeburg
Outlook: “The biggest challenges we face this season are building the program, building a stronger defense and staying healthy,” says Coach Harlow. To that end, Harlow points to a handful of the Lakers’ real strengths, including their ability to work together with strong leadership, and their talented offense. In the preseason, LRHS have demonstrated what Coach Harlow calls a “no-quit attitude,” as well as the possession of a clear, common goal. Their recipe for a successful season? “They need to stay positive, work hard and have fun. This will be a fun season and the coaching staff is looking forward to building the program.”

Girls Soccer
Coach: David Jaeger
Key players returning: Madison Rock (sr., G); Mindy Murphy (sr., D); Brooke Harriman (sr., D); Mackenzie Siebert (so., M)
Key newcomers: Brianna Sargent (f., D/F); Shelby-Lynne Sheldrick (fr., D)
Key matchups: The Lady Lakers are young this year, so a number of Jaeger’s girls will need to step up and fill critical roles on the field. “Our seniors will play a big part in anchoring the team and helping the newcomers to become comfortable at the varsity level,” Jaeger says. “The girls are settling into our game well and I believe that we will have a positive season.”

Volleyball
Coach: Ryan Shible
Last year’s record: 5-9
Key players lost: Lindsey Keenan, Autumn Tremblay, Melissa Bonenfant
Key players returning: Cheyenne Bell, Kayah McLean, Savannah Silke
Key newcomers: Michelle Burnell, Savannah Mullins, Haley Fernald
Key matchups: Gardiner, Cony, York
Outlook: Shible, upon reflection, suggests that his girls’ record last year was competitive, despite being sub-.500. And he makes a good case: “We started the season on a strong note,” he says, “with wins against NYA and Wells. Unfortunately we lost our momentum toward the end of our season.” It’ll be important for the Lady Lakers not to relax this autumn – to stay on their toes, to stay hungry, at all times, both on offense and defense. Burnell and Mullins will fill a key role as setters; Keenan and Tremblay played that part last year. Captain and libero Bell steadies the whole outfit. McLean and Silke bring stronger skills than ever to the court, having ratcheted their hitting, blocking and digging all up a notch. “Our team has a strong defensive core,” Shible says, “with Cheyenne Bell and Rebekah Knights, as well as a strong returning core of offensive players with Kayah McLean, Savanah Silke and Haley Fernald; each group will be instrumental for our team’s success this season. Our first three matches, against Gardiner, Cony and York, will set the tone for our season, and I’m looking forward to seeing our team put together our defensive and offensive skills against these teams this season.”

Football coach Mike Shea and golf coach Art Kilborn couldn’t be reached.

Adam Birt can be reached at abirt@keepmecurrent.com. Follow him on Twitter: @CurrentSportsME

Laker Casey Berger dribbles forward, surveying the field in front of him.

Lady of the Lake Delaney Meserve battles in a matchup last autumn.


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