Lake Region Spring sports review

Boys tennis

RECORD: 0-12

COACH: Chet Rogers

HIGHLIGHT: After the program had been down for several years, the Lakers rejoined the league as a varsity team and didn’t have to default a match, thanks to much improved numbers. Another highlight, said Rogers, was when number one player Shawn Jones played “the best I’ve seen him play against Waynflete. He really competed and played very well. We also had to use one freshman and four or five sophomores who had never played the game. And they handled it well.”

SENIORS: Shawn Jones, Ben Bacchiano, Kyle Trembley

MVP: Shawn Jones

COACH’S AWARD: Jones, Tremblay, Bacchiano

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Brian Poulin

COACH’S COMMENT: “What impressed me was how well these players stuck together. This was a great bunch of kids, and we had fun as a team. Next I’m expecting some freshmen and middle school players to come out next season. Maybe in one or two years, priorities will change for these younger players.”

Girls tennis

RECORD: 2-10

COACH: Kim Peterson

HIGHLIGHT: The Lakers grabbed a 3-2 win over Fryeburg Academy early in the season.

COACH’S COMMENT: “Not a lot of seniors on this team. Next year the team should be stronger.”

Softball

RECORD: 10-9, lost in the Western Class B semifinals to Cape Elizabeth

COACH: J.R. Warren

HIGHLIGHT: Highlight was the victory over Greely (6-2 in the Western Class B semifinals). No one expected it, and we played so well in all aspects of the game. We played well also against Lincoln Academy (in the opening round of the post season).

SENIORS: Lauren Gillespie, Shelly Coford, Melissa Albert, Amanda Nichols, Casey McLean, Renee’ Murphy, Allyson Rust and Ashley Hutchins.

VARSITY CLUB AWARD: Shelly Coford, who was named to the All Western Maine first team

COACH’S COMMENT: “I was really pleased. We struggled to find an identity, but by playoff time these girls really gelled.”

Boys track

RECORD: 5-6; fourth in Western Maine, Class B

COACH: Mark Snow

HIGHLIGHT: Finishing third in the state (believed to be Lake Region’s highest place ever) and having three boys qualify for New Englands and setting five school records.

SENIORS: Merlin Bahr, Josh Thorne, Ivan Konanykhin and Corey Lane

MVP: Merlin Bahr (state champ in the pole vault and 110-meter hurdles)

VARSITY CLUB AWARD: Merlin Bahr

COACH’S COMMENT: “The team accomplished many individual and team goals this year. I did expect the outstanding individual efforts, but I am happily surprised by our performances at the conference and state championships.”

Girls track

RECORD: 7th in Western Maine; 7th in State Class B

COACH: Scott Rush-Donohue

HIGHLIGHT: Watching Stephanie Anthonosios qualify and do well in states in the 1,600-meter race walk. She finally found her event, took ownership, qualified and placed sixth overall. Another highlight was watching Bailey Morton break the school record in the discus at states, with only two throws left in her high school career.

SENIORS: Bailey Morton, Sara Thompson, Carolyn Ellis, Stephanie Athanosios, Beth Gwozdz, Kelby Moore, Dacia Merrill, Katie Cassidy, Stevie Dembowski and Allie Harris.

MVP: Sarah Hale, who finished second in both the 100 and 200 meters and as a member of the third place 4 x 100 relay team at States.

COACH’S AWARD: Dacia Merrill

COACH’S COMMENT: “After the end of every season I keep asking how can it get any better? Well, after four years of coaching, it continues to improve. Everyone (coaches, athletes, athletic director, boosters, parents, ground crews, bus drivers, etc.) has made this program work and become increasingly successful. It’s been a great year, and I am looking forward to next year.”

Baseball

RECORD: 3-14

COACH: Bill Callahan

HIGHLIGHT: The team had back to back wins in May over Yarmouth and Fryeburg Academy and finished strong with a win over York and a narrow one-run loss at Fryeburg Academy.

COACH’S COMMENT: “The Lakers went into the spring with low numbers because of injuries, but became more competitive as the season went on. Starting strong on the mound were Matt Mullins and Scott Osmond, Ryan Anderson added some power, leadoff man Josh Olden hit for a high average and Nick Moore and Kyle Gregory came on strong late in the season.”