Boys Cross Country

Coach: Claton Conrad

Key athletes: Amanual Sentayehu (sr.), Nick Childs (sr.), Josh Richards (sr.), Curtis Knapton (sr.), Jeremy Richards (sr.), Josh Lombardo (jr.), Brandon Whitlock (jr.), Justin Copetta (so.), Noah Knapton (fr.)

Key meets: Regionals

Outlook: “These boys have more depth than this team has seen in years,” says Conrad. “They are a determined group and will have an excellent season.”

Girls Cross Country

Coach: Tim Even (third year)

Last year’s record: 14-1 regular season, sixth at Regionals, eighth at States

Key athletes: Gabbi Pabst (sr.), Samantha Thompson (jr.), Linnaea Miller (jr.)

Key meets: Regionals, States

Outlook: “We look good this year!” says Even. “We graduated one girl from our top seven, Halee Phelps, but bring back the rest and add some excellent young talent.” According to Even, Pabst has looked strong through the summer and in preseason and will slide liquidly into the Blazes’ No. 1 slot. The team’s juniors – Thompson, Miller, Sarah Terrano and Kiersten Hilton – have significant championship meet experience, which should prove a distinct advantage when the season culminates. Westbrook will, naturally, rely heavily on these upperclassmen, but their young runners are also strong. Sophomores Emma Sperry and Aviana Bouphavanh already have States experience, and freshmen Emma Lombardo and Zoe Popovic look like contributors as well. “If all goes well,” Even says, “the girls should be able to make their second state meet appearance in as many years!”

Field Hockey

Coach: Beth Murphy

Last year’s record: 3-9-2

Key players: Abby St. Clair (sr., F); Delaney Derrig (sr., F); Olivia Grosso (sr., D); Lindsey Hildreth (sr., F); Tianna Moore (sr., M); Danielle Bruenig (jr., F); Alex Phelps (jr., M); Julia Symbol (jr., D); Maddison LeBeau (so., M); Camryn LaPierre (so., D)

Key games: “Every game will be a key game for Westbrook this year,” says Murphy

Outlook: The Blazes aim to get back into the playoffs this year. The team lost just five seniors to graduation in June, so they return a number of veterans this fall; Murphy expects those upperclassmen to step up their play and provide strong leadership. A batch of strong newcomers will also contribute on the field. “Team chemistry will be a factor on the success of the program this year,” Murphy says.

Football

Coach: Jeffrey Guerette

Last year’s record: 4-6, fell to Marshwood in B West semifinals

Key players: Chris Kennie (sr., OT/DT); Mikiel Lepage (sr., OT/NG); Bailey Ryan (sr., WR/CB); Miece Loureiro (jr., RB/LB); David Redmond (jr., C/DE); Bailey Sawyer (jr. QB/S)

Key games: Leavitt, Marshwood, Biddeford

Outlook: “Our league is as deep and competitive as any in the state,” says Guerette, who nevertheless expects his squad to play hard and reach the postseason. “We have 14 seniors, many who had quality playing time as underclassmen. Offensively we expect to spread teams out and be extremely balanced. Defensively we want to play fast.” The Blazes have three consecutive road games scheduled for this fall, a circumstance that will test their ability to play away from their home turf.

Golf

Coach: Geoff Godo

Last year’s record: 3-7

Key players: Alex Herbert (sr.), Elijah Doucette (sr.)

Key matches: Windham, Bonny Eagle

Outlook: “Our division is among the toughest in the state,” says Godo, “so making team strides in each match will be a goal of ours…We must work hard from positions one-six to bring scores down and be competitive.” While the Blazes return some seniors with varsity experience, they lost their top three scorers to graduation in June. Their younger players, though fairly new to golf, will need to contribute immediately.

Boys Soccer

Coach: Greg Cavanaugh

Last year’s record: 6-5-3

Key players: DJ Henrikson (sr., G); Varney Kai (sr., M); Adam Blackmore (sr., B)

Key games: Windham, Cheverus, Marshwood, Biddeford

Outlook: The Blazes’ goal for the fall is to improve their record for the third consecutive season. The squad lost a big group of starters to graduation in June – namely, Pat Weimer, Gradi Lapika, Chadd Pelletier, Isaiah Manoogian, Mohammed Al Kinani and Luther Williams – but Cavanaugh says that group instilled a work ethic in their younger teammates that will “continue to resonate in 2015.” Cavanaugh nods to the hard work his players put in during the off-season, many with Rosevelt Soccer Club, but concedes that they’re still growing, and will be “technically and tactically flawed at times.” Whatever success they dig up will depend on continued extra work outside of practices, as well as selflessness. “If old habits arise and complacency sets in, the Blazes could fall into the muddy waters near the bottom of the SMAA standings,” Cavanaugh says. “However, if Westbrook is able to build a team culture centered around deference to the team over the individual, they may take the city of Westbrook on a wild journey deep into October and – dare we say it? – November.”

Girls Soccer

Coach: Andy Lefebvre

Last year’s record: 5-9, fell to Gorham 1-0 in playoffs

Key players: Jenessa Corbett (sr.), Alexa Lynham (sr.), Mackenzie Rayner (sr.), Sarah Wagner (sr.), Courtney Arsenault (jr.), Kelsey Cavanaugh (jr.)

Key games: Cheverus, South Portland, Bonny Eagle, Portland, McAuley

Outlook: The Lady Blazes have a solid mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen this season, returning six seniors “who are committed and hard-working,” says Lefebvre. The team is also athletic, a general strength in all facets of competition. They look to gel and build confidence as the season moves on, and to ultimately return to the playoffs.

Westbrooker Alexa Lynham battles a Scarborough adversary in a 2014 matchup. Lynham returns for the Blazes this season, her last.Westbrooker Varney Kai, seen here in action at Bonny Eagle last season, is a potent force at midfield.