Coach: Chuck Nadeau
Last year’s record: 5-11
Key players: Andrew Schmidt (sr., INF, .280, 7 RBI); Jordan Ward (sr., C); Michael Chapin (sr., U, 1.000 field percentage); Sam Kilborn (jr., P, injured last season); Cam Smith (jr., P, 2.71 ERA); Trenton Bassingthwaite (jr., CF, 1.000 stolen base percentage); Logan Drouin (so., SS, .263)
Key games: Home night games vs. Cheverus, South Portland
Outlook: The SMAA looks strong again this year, so Nadeau and his boys understand they’ll need to prep well and play with confidence and skill. “We’re still relatively young, but many of our younger players gained significant experience at the varsity level last season,” Nadeau says. As with most teams, the pitching staff’s ability to control the game will prove critical to the team’s performance. “We have eight to 10 pitchers who we feel are varsity-quality, so we’ll look for three to four of those young men to emerge as top tier pitchers in the league,” says Nadeau. Offensively, the team will stress on-base percentage and applying pressure to the opposition’s defense. “We need to develop a disciplined approach to that will allow us to take advantage of our improved athleticism as a program,” he says.
Softball
Coach: Steve Martin (third year)
Last year’s record: 8-9
Key players: Julia Gaudette (sr., P); Amber Cavarretta (jr., C); Lindsey Wilcox (jr., SS)
Key games: Bonny Eagle, Scarborough
Outlook: The Rams have just two seniors, but a strong squad of underclassmen; they’re young, but eager. The team has started its past couple seasons 0-4 or 0-5, and they hope to change that. It’ll prove a good challenge, no doubt, as their first matchups of the season are against the Scots and the Storm.
Coach: Dan Soule
Last year’s record: 12-4
Key players: Tristan Brunet, Mike Susi, Cam Wright, Abraham Eaton, Carter Landry, Matt Anderson, Ryan Hamblin
Key games: Cheverus, TA, Scarborough
Outlook: The Rams are young this year – sophomores fill several critical roles across the field – and will face tall challenges each week in a tough league. Soule is optimistic about their prospects, however. Last season’s squad played outstanding lacrosse, and this season’s will look to build off those accomplishments. “[We have] a great opportunity to be a playoff-caliber team,” says Soule, “[and] to take the next step as a program in Class A West.” Expect the Rams to charge hard onto the field.
Girls Lacrosse
Coach: Mary Guimond
Last year’s record: 8-5
Key players: Aliza Jordan (sr., M); Mackenzie Collins (sr., A); Reagan Emerson (sr., A); Maggie Shields (sr., A); Delaney Shiers (sr., D)
Key games: Massabesic, Marshwood, Scarborough, TA
Outlook: “We have a dedicated group of athletes this year led by a great group of seniors,” Guimond says. “We’re looking forward to a competitive season in an always-tough western conference.”
Coach: Jason Tanguay
Last year’s record: 8-3
Key athletes: Ben Foster (sr., distance); Drew York (sr., racewalk); Tommy Pequinot (sr., pole vault); Emerson Fox (jr., sprints & jumps); Branden Kuusela (jr., hurdles & jumps); Spencer Linscott (jr., racewalk); Nathaniel Nadeau (jr., middle distance); Sean Pratt (jr., racewalk); Jesse Southard (jr., distance); Drew York (sr., racewalk); Ethan Orach (so., middle distance); Luke Gowen (fr., sprints)
Key meets: Westbrook/Windham/Scarborough, Cumberland County Meet, Southwesterns
Outlook: Tanguay’s squad is roughly 50 strong this season. That roster includes a lot of new faces, which is exciting, but also brings with it various unknowns. “Although we return nearly all our state meet competitors from last season, I’m hopeful to see what some folks can do who are on our team for the first time,” says Tanguay. “We have a good mix of veterans and novices, so I’m optimistic that we’ll be competitive in our conference again this season.”
Coach: John Caterina
Last year’s record: 6th at Southwesterns, 8th at Class A States
Key athletes: Megan Baker (sr., throws); Kristin Benson (sr., sprints); Leeanna Gray (sr., racewalk); Blanca Monsen (sr., throws); Abby Perkins (sr., sprints & pole vault); Kayleigh Smith (sr., sprints); Ashley Woodbury (sr., distance); Taylor Currier (jr., sprints); Maddie DeWitt (jr., distance); Sarah Flanders (jr., racewalk); Erin Esty (so., high jump & hurdles); Jamie Juskiewicz (so., pole vault); Sarah Lorello (so., jumps); Heather Woodbury (so., jumps); Hayley Bickford (fr., racewalk); Meadow Fortier (fr., middle distance); Alexis Fotter (fr., sprints & hurdles); Bridget Rossignol (fr., middle distance & pole vault); Maddie Rossignol (fr., sprints & pole vaule); Anna Slager (fr., distance)
Key meets: Cumberland County Meet, Southwesterns, States
Outlook: “This is possibly Gorham’s largest team ever, with 45 girls on the early-season roster,” Caterina says. “A talented group of seniors and a very strong freshmen class should help make Gorham one of the top teams in the SMAA and be a possible contender for the state Class A title.”
Boys Tennis
Coach: Aaron Landry
Last year’s record: 6-6
Key players: Tom Susi (sr.), Nate Roberts (sr.,) Thomas Brent (jr.), Connor White (jr.)
Key matches: Deering, TA, Marshwood
Outlook: Graduation last year didn’t terribly deplete the Rams, so Landry has a reasonably experienced squad to work with, though a few spots remain to fill. He reports the team is, happily, all healthy. They’ll look to improve their record this season over 2014’s .500 finish.
Girls Tennis
Coach: Nicole Bergeron
Last year’s record: 8-4
Key players: Renae Staples (sr.), Whitney King (so.)
Key matches: Windham, TA, Sanford
Outlook: “We have some returning talent this year, and many new athletes to develop,” Bergeron says. “We’ll continue to build, improve and strive to beat last season’s record.”
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