Waynflete Flyers Fall Sports Preview

BOYS’ SOCCER

Another year, more hardware for Waynflete’s boys’ soccer program. After winning a third consecutive Class C crown a year ago, the Flyers are far from satisfied and will be tough to dethrone this season. File photos.

Coach: Brandon Salway (34th year, 316-119-46 overall record, seven state championships)

2021 record: 14-2-2 (Beat Fort Kent, 2-1, to win third consecutive Class C state title)

Top returning players: Matt Adey (Senior), Liam Anderson (Senior), Jasper Curtis (Senior), Roan Hopkins (Senior), Cole Isherwood (Senior), Dana Bigelow (Junior), Nils Burton-Johanson (Junior), Nico Kirby (Junior), Jacob Woodman (Junior)

Pivotal games: Sept. 1 NYA, Sept. 13 SACOPEE VALLEY, Sept. 20 @ Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 22 TRAIP, Sept. 24 @ NYA, Sept. 27 GREELY, Sept. 29 FREEPORT, Oct. 7 @ York, Oct. 13 @ Traip, Oct. 15 @ Sacopee Valley, Oct. 18 YARMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “We lost three starters and four others who played significant time, but we have all but one of our backs returning and our goalie is back too. We have another very challenging schedule, just the way we like it. We’ll play top teams from Class B, Class C and Class D. The goal is to not worry about our record as much as improving. We have the potential to be very good, but teams want to turn the tables on us. We have to be ready for every game.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete has enjoyed a lot of success over the years, but never have the Flyers dominated like they’ve done since the start of the 2018 season, going an unthinkable 55-4-5 in that span while winning three state titles and being deprived of a fourth only by a global pandemic. While graduation again took its toll on the program, no one should be questioning Waynflete’s ability to win another Gold Ball this autumn.

Senior Matt Adey figures to soar above the opposition again this fall.

Senior Roan Hopkins will be in the middle of the action for the Flyers all season.

The Flyers figure to be stingy defensively as Kirby returns in goal and Adey (an All-Conference and Class C South all-region selection in 2021), Anderson, Bigelow and Curtis will hold the fort in front of him. In the midfield, Hopkins (also a league all-star last fall) will be a matchup nightmare. He’s joined by Burton-Johanson and Isherwood. Woodman, last seen scoring the decisive goal in Waynflete’s epic double-overtime state lacrosse game victory over North Yarmouth Academy, will see time in the midfield and up top, as will new senior Myles Culley.

The Flyers (ranked 15th in the preseason in New England by the United Soccer Coaches) have set the bar so high that they’ll have no trouble getting up for any foe that dreams of knocking them off. There are almost no breathers on the schedule and while Waynflete might not enjoy as glowing a record as it’s posted the past several years, that won’t matter. The Flyers care most about being at their best for the postseason and it’s hard to see anything or anyone standing in their way as they battle to bring home another shiny trophy.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Junior Lucy Hart made the all-conference and all-region teams last season and will play a major role in the Flyers’ success this autumn.

Co-coaches: Carrie Earls and George Sherry (fifth year, 21-32-4 overall record)

2021 record: 10-7 (Lost, 1-0, to Traip Academy in Class C South semifinals)

Top returning players: Lucy Sarno (Senior), Iris Stutzman (Senior), Morgan Earls (Junior), Izzy Gleason (Junior), Lucy Hart (Junior), Fallon Culley (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Sept. 19 TRAIP, Sept. 20 CAPE ELIZABETH, Sept. 23 @ NYA, Sept. 28 OOB, Oct. 12 @ Traip, Oct. 15 NYA, Oct. 18 @ OOB

Coach Earls’ comment: “After an injury-riddled season last year, we just hope to stay healthy. With a fairly young team, we hope to improve as the season goes on and hope to be playing our best soccer by playoff time. Class C South will be competitive this season.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete made nice strides a season ago, posting a winning record for the first time in five years and making a nice run to the semifinals. While the Flyers will miss departed all-region selection Lolie Milspaugh and veteran goalkeeper Jesse Connors, there is talent returning and this will be a squad that makes noise in Class C South before all is said and done.

Up front, Earls, Sarno and Stutzman (an all-conference and regional all-star selection in 2021) will look to do damage. Hart, another all-region selection a year ago, will be a force in the midfield, along with Gleason and freshman Lucy Olson. Defensively, Culley (who will also play in the midfield) has experience. She’s joined by freshmen Grace Alexander and Liza Lawson. Connors will be replaced in goal by freshman Ayla Stutzman.

Waynflete has a daunting schedule, but it will help make the team battle-tested for the postseason. The Flyers might not be on the list of favorites as the season commences, but they’ll hit their stride and become a tough out when it matters most.

CROSS COUNTRY

Coaches:
(Boys) Jim Millard (third year)
(Girls) Steve Withers (fifth year)

2021 results:
(Boys) 11th @ Class C state meet
(Girls) 5th @ Class C state meet

Top returners:
(Boys) Joe Dupree (Senior), Sawyer Linehan (Senior), Colton Nelson (Junior), Pi Crosby (Sophomore), Ben Duda (Sophomore)
(Girls) Maren Cooper (Senior), Calla Ruff (Senior), Maeve Mechtenberg (Junior), Anna Siegel (Junior), Vivi Jenkins (Sophomore)

Coach Millard’s comment: “Our goals for each season are consistent: To have fun and enjoy the team, to stay healthy and peak at the right time, to qualify for the state meet and to finish as high as possible there. This year, I hope that we can place in the top four in the regional meet and then take it from there. Most of all, I’m looking forward to spending my afternoons with a great group of athletes and helping them grow.”

Coach Withers’ comment: “We start every season with three goals: Learn something about yourself as a runner, learn something about yourself as a young woman and improve. After a strong showing at the regional championship last season, second place, we’re looking for redemption at the state meet. We’ll have to overcome adversity this season, as we’re only returning two of our top seven runners and one of our senior captains is out for the season with an injury. Nonetheless, the team is working hard, growing in culture and excited for what the season has in store. Across the board, these ladies are eager to compete and we have a smaller spread time-wise from top to bottom than in previous years. Look for our freshman to make a considerable impact throughout the season. While it may take us a few races to gain experience and find our legs, I’m confident that this group will demonstrate immense improvement and be competitive in the championship races.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete’s boys and girls have their eye on returning to the state meet, a consistent destination for most of this century.

The boys’ squad returns three scorers from last year’s state meet, Linehan (35th), Duda (40th) and Nelson (64th). Linehan is joined as captain by Dupree and Crosby also will be heard from this season. The squad is made exponentially stronger by the arrival of junior Will Barmby, who, a year ago at Maine Coast Waldorf School, placed eighth at the Class C state meet. Freshman Michael Marston is another top newcomer. The Flyers have the pieces in place to build on what they accomplished a year ago and move up the ladder in the process.

On the girls’ side, Jenkins (24th) and Mechtenberg (28th) scored at last year’s state meet. Waynflete does have some experienced runners behind them in Cooper, Ruff and Siegel, who will need to step up and fill some holes. Freshmen Grace Alexander and Lucy Olson will also be key contributors. The Flyers should only get better as the season improves and when the meets matter most, they’ll be poised to shine. Look for Waynflete to make it to states again and perhaps surprise some teams when it gets there.

GOLF

Coach: Ben Boonseng (second year)

2021 results: 3rd @ Class C state match

Top returning players: Ty Davin (Senior), Henry Kerr (Senior), Oscar Twining (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “Even though we fell short by a few strokes in our first state championship run last year, I have high confidence that we will have another successful year. This year, we have quite a few long hitters and a few beginners. Our new golfers have good potential being dual sport athletes. All of the golfers have a good understanding of where their game is and I hope that they will enjoy golf more than they did before. All four newcomers can hit the ball long off the tee and it’s up to them to use what we practice and apply it to their actual rounds. My expectation for this year is to have the team understand what the game of golf is all about. It’s not just about hitting the perfect shot or salvaging pars, it’s also about enjoying rounds with good friends, good playing partners, good competitors, or with your loved ones. Golf is a lifetime sport you can enjoy at any age, if you choose to.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete made history last fall, not only qualifying for states for the first time, but making a splash by finishing third. The departure of reigning Class C individual champion George Fahey will be felt, but there is talent in reserve to keep the Flyers competitive.

Kerr (a league all-star in 2021) and Twinning are captains and Davin also has experience. The rest of the team includes senior Oliver Eames and juniors Sebby Ovigele, Haven Savory-Kries and Skiddy Von Stade.

Waynflete won’t sneak up on anyone this fall as it has established itself as a contender. While last year’s accomplishments might be tough to match, look for another strong season from this group.