CROSS COUNTRY

Coach: Laura Pulito

Assistant Coach: Cory McCullough

Returning Athletes — Abigail Roberts (SR), Susie Butler (SR), Sadie Plummer (SR), Samantha Kilgore (SR), Sage Cormier (JR); Bhavnish Tucker (SR), Michael Clarke (SR), Dom Falcon (SR), Gabe Lunt (SR), Sam Laverdiere (JR), Lucian Bassett (JR), Ethan Kutella (JR)

Top newcomers — Madelyn Long (JR), Kimberly Stiffler (SO), Molly Webster (SO), Riley Holden (FR); Jayden Jines (FR), Averey Klein (FR), Daniel Jaronczyk (FR), Ryan McKenney (FR), Odin Hebert (FR)

Runners to Watch — Three senior captains, Abigail Roberts, Susie Butler, and Sadie Plummer; Senior captains Bhavnish Tucker and Michael Clarke and junior Sam Laverdiere.

Team strengths — Their positivity, supportive nature, and willingness to do what is asked of them. Coach Pulito feels very confident in the ability and consistency of the top 3 runners on both the boys’ and girls’ sides. They are all upperclassmen, are experienced, are excellent role models, and know what it takes to be competitive. 

Areas needing improvement — “We need to solidify our #4 and #5 runners on both the boys’ and girls’ sides, and close the gap between these scoring runners and our top 3. I feel very optimistic about this, however,” Coach Pulito.

Keys to a successful season — Keeping everyone healthy. Both teams may have a shot at making it back to States, but the Lakers can’t afford to lose anyone to injury. This will involve training smart and properly recovering from hard efforts. The Lakers will also need to tighten the gap among their scoring runners.

What do you like about this year’s squad — “They’re a fun group with so much personality, but they also know when it’s time to focus and get to work. They’re genuinely a joy to coach. I love the leadership I’m seeing from the upperclassmen and the buy-in I’m seeing from our newer runners,” Coach Pulito.

Up next: At Gray-New Gloucester, today, Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m.

BOYS’ SOCCER

Coach: Ryan Harlow

Assistant Coach: Thomas Kolofsky 

JV Coach: Peter Vigna

Returning players — Seniors Kolbie Kaeser, Seth Merritt-Gilmore; Juniors Caiden Hall, Shougo Sturk, Aidan Roberts, Caleb Coombs, Garrett Sawyer; Sophomores Jacoby Bardsley, Colin Coyne, Matthew Plummer, Nico Russo, Wildr Hart, Collin Varney, Jack McGowan, Jacoby Robichaud, Sam Burnham, Saul Burnham, Iverson Sibley, Ben Peterson

Top newcomers — Freshmen Dylan Blair, Marley Payton, Michael Pierce, Jack Butler, Justen McCubery, Jaycen Massey, Jamal Mohsin, Emery Ward, Bronson Stanley, Colby Galvin

Players to Watch — Jacoby Bardsley M, Colin Coyne GK, Dylan Blair S, Nico Russo S, Kolbie Kaeser DM, Matthew Plummer M.

Team strengths — The Lakers have some offensive power up front which will allow them to stay in games; the ability to move the ball around quickly.

Areas needing improvement — “We are young, starting seven sophomores will be very challenging when we compete against some of the top teams in Class B. Getting our feet wet and logging some valuable varsity minutes will be what we are looking at this year,” Coach Harlow.

Keys to a successful season — Staying positive. “We are a really young team so continuing to stay positive will help us now and in the future,” Coach Harlow. 

What do you like about this year’s squad — “This is a very coachable team, they are very hungry to be successful. This will be a fun group to be with over the next couple of years,” Coach Harlow.

Opener: Poland, today, Aug. 31, 6 p.m., JV at 4:15 p.m.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Coach: Peter Webb

JV Coach/Assistant Coach: Dave Sheldrick

Returning players — Seniors Lauren Roy, Abby Lavoie, Lyla Levesque, Hailey Brewer; Juniors Jordan Blanton, Kayli Goodwin, Bella Smith, Margo Tremblay, Marissa Harlow, Ella Martin, Brilee Mains, Maritza Lopez, Averie Smith

Top newcomers — Freshmen Abbi Nadeau, Madi Olsen

Players to Watch — Kayli Goodwin, Midfield; Bella Smith, Back; Abby Lavoie, Back; Margo Tremblay, Forward

Team strengths — Coach Webb is seeing more cohesiveness amongst the players when on the field this season. The Lakers also have a lot of speed and good leadership.

Areas needing improvement — Defensive shape. Possessing to attack. Winning the ball back immediately after losing possession.

Keys to a successful season — 80 minutes of intensity. Injury free.

What do you like about this year’s squad — “We have a great group of girls this year. Excellent senior leadership. An athletic and skilled junior class. A large sophomore and freshmen classes with skilled players,” Coach Webb said. “I am seeing the girls supporting and applauding each other’s successes. That attitude will push us into the playoffs.”

Opener: At Poland, today, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.

Home Opener: North Yarmouth Academy, Thursday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m.

CHEERING

Coach: Janine Rocca-Chaine

Returning members — Senior Delani Green, Sophomore Adalynn Peterson

Top newcomers — Sophomores Vylet Robbins and Abigail Baker; Freshmen Jayla Davis and Dylan Libby

Team strengths — Their ability to check their egos and ask for help as well as help each other get better. 

Areas needing improvement — A lot of inexperienced members of the squad this year, so the Lakers will need to focus on technique.

Keys to a successful season — Staying positive and continuing to work together! 

What do you like about this year’s squad — “They are eager and excited to learn. They are dedicated and willing to put in the work to get better,” Coach Rocca-Chaine.  

VOLLEYBALL

Coach: Ryan Shible

JV Coach: Maxx Pinet

Returning players — Kaylee Maguire 11, Madelyn McDougal 11, Jenna Jordan 12, Marissa Payne 10, Laura Dutton 11, Alice O’Connor 12, Madison Shepard 11, Rianna Reynolds 12

Top newcomer — Ava Smith, Senior, Middle Hitter

Players to Watch — Ava Smith, Sr, Middle Hitter; Rianna Reynolds, Sr, Middle Hitter; Kaylee Maguire, Jr, Setter.

“Ava Smith and Rianna Reynolds have both worked hard this summer on improving their offensive skills at the front of the net; and as a result, both their hitting and blocking will be a great asset for our team this season,” Coach Shible said. “Kaylee Maguire continues to show outstanding skills as a setter; with her agility, and her ability to complete sets and offensive plays in difficult situations; our team will benefit from having her in the setter position.”

Team strengths — “Our team strengths reside in our defensive capabilities, with getting the ball up to our setter, and in creating offensive plays when we are out of system, so that we can continue to keep pressure on teams we play,” Coach Shible said. “Our players have played alongside each other for at least two to three years now, so as a team, they have had the ability to bond, which I believe has helped them to play more seamlessly as a whole unit.”

Areas needing improvement — The Lakers want to work on improving the power and frequency of their attacks at the front of the net, and reduce the amount of “free balls” they give to the other teams this season.

Keys to a successful season — Consistency! “We will want to work on being consistent with our passing, serving, and hitting; so, we can maintain the momentum in the matches we play this season,” Coach Shible said. “If we can control the pace of the game, by having a consistent offense with our hitters, and keep our serves in, we should have a successful season.”

What do you like about this year’s squad — “As mentioned above, I like how our team has bonded over the past two to three years; and believe this will help them to push through the difficult moments in a match, and keep the momentum that will be needed to be successful,” Coach Shible.

Opener: At North Yarmouth Academy, today, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.

Home Opener: Wells, Friday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m.

GOLF

Coach: Walter Ridlon

Returning Players — Based on preseason performances, Evan Duprey and Noah Peterson are expected to be the core of the team based on their experiences and abilities.

Top Newcomers — The Lakers are very fortunate to have a very strong group of freshmen and new players, Coach Ridlon reported. After the first few practices and matches, Jacoby True, Shane Plummer and Ray Tucker have risen to the top.

Players to Watch — “Rather than single out individual players, I want to single out the team’s ability, that by early indications, will make us highly competitive as the year progresses,” Coach Ridlon.

Team Strengths — Very balanced, both top and bottom, that illustrates great early season growth. Coach Ridlon has been extremely pleased with the team’s spirit, maturity and a willingness to improve.

Areas Needing Improvement — Course management and to eliminate mental mistakes during match competition.

Keys to a Succesful Season — Being able to correct correctable mistakes and learning not to let a bad hole impact the holes to follow.

What do you like about this year’s squad — “There is a very strong team balance at all levels. The JV team has shown tremendous growth and enthusiasm. A team concept and approach has characterized the pre-season events. If we can add to the team’s early growth, our team will be in the middle of the mix for conference individual and team honors,” Coach Ridlon.

Up next: At Gray-New Gloucester, Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Coach: Mike Meehan

Assistant Coaches: Ben Mullins, Brian Jahna, Ethan McMurray

JV Coach: Scott Chadwick

Outlook — Although the Lakers do not have any seniors, they do have 15 juniors, most of them have been playing together since middle school and has seen significant varsity time since they were freshmen. 

Players to Watch — Junior Brock Gibbons starting QB, All-Conference QB honorable mention; has started for the Lakers since freshman year; coming off a highlight sophomore campaign with over 1,700 yards and 17 TDs through the air (the most in all of 8-man large & small divisions); added another 400-plus yards on the ground with 4 rushing touchdowns. Last season through 8 weeks, Max Preps had Gibbons nationally ranked 13th among all sophomores within all 6/8/9 man classes and nationally ranked #66 among all QBs within all 6/8/9 man classes. 

“Brock will be a force for us this season on the ground, through the air, and on the defensive side of the ball. He is poised for a breakout junior year. We are very excited to watch him go to work and prove to be among the elite,” Coach Meehan.

Jackson Libby, who played his first Laker football season last season fall, switching over from soccer, had a breakout sophomore year. Standing at almost 6-feet-5 and weighing in at 235, Libby is a matchup nightmare! He made Second Team All-Conference WR with 500-plus receiving yards and 7 TDs, and quickly put himself on the top of opponents’ radar.

“Jackson’s football athletic ability continues to get better daily and we anticipate a significant uptick in how many times Jackson sees the end zone this season. Our opponents will definitely need to game plan for Libby on both sides of the ball,” Coach Meehan.

Nolan Cummings is a returning junior, who will be anchoring the Laker defense at linebacker. Last season, Cummings racked up 70-plus tackles and 4 sacks. “We anticipate Nolan to have a big junior year given the size and strength he gained in the offseason. He’s hands down one of the most physical players I’ve had the pleasure of coaching,” Coach Meehan said. “He plays smart and quick, and his toughness is off the charts.”

Some other impactful, returning juniors include: Kale Jingst, RB; Sethlan Lester, WR; Brayden Morasse, OL/LB; Sean Murphy, FB/DE; Wesley Obermeyer, LB; Marcus Vance, DT/OL; Landon Ross, RB; Chris Caron, LB; Brady Martin, WR.

The Lakers have a nice returning sophomore class of nine. Three of those returning freshmen are returning varsity letter achievers — Jaiden Meehan, Mathew Mansulla and Jonathan Serpa. Meehan who started at one wide receiver spots racked up over 300-plus yards and 3 touchdowns. Another sophomore Laker coaches are excited about and anticipate making an impact on the varsity offensive or defensive line will be Aaron Wilkinson standing at 6-foot-2 and almost 200 pounds.

“We are also extremely excited about the incoming freshman class, one of which who is already making a name for himself on the varsity defense is Brayden Wilson.

Opener: Greely, this Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

Coach: Pauline Webb

Assistant/JV Coach: Nicole Toomey

Returning players — Seniors Maddie Meserve (back), Emily Reardon (forward), Mallory Smith (forward), Hanna Siebert (back), Ashley Pelletier (midfield), Emma Aker (midfield), Emma Nadeau (midfield), Kalee Charette (back), Kasey Johnson (forward), Reiyn Hart (goalie); Juniors Audrey Philbrook (forward), Olivia Roy (back); Sophomores Mia Letarte (forward), Mya King (midfield); Freshman Abigail Travis.

Top Newcomer — Freshman Abigail Travis will probably see some good minutes as an offensive player on the varsity team. 

Players to watch — Senior center-mid Emma Nadeau is a strong presence in the midfield; senior midfielder Ashley Pelletier will be another strong presence in the midfield and “I hope to get her up in the offensive line for more scoring opportunities,” Coach Webb said; senior forward, Kasey Johnson is “a smart player and great passer but also has a nice finishing touch on goal,” Coach Webb added; senior netminder Reiyn Hart should be strong in goal. 

Team strengths — Multiple players who can score. 

Areas to improve — “We need to improve on our defensive positioning,” Coach Webb.   

To be successful this year — “We will need to have players who can eliminate defenders, be well conditioned to play 30-plus minutes and be willing to play at 110% and do whatever it takes to get at least one more goal than our opponent. We will need to play with determination and grit,” Coach Webb noted. 

What do you like about this year’s squad — “I love how all these different personalities come together on the field to play a sport they love. There’s always laughter, which I love. I have to be extra firm otherwise they’d be cracking jokes or making some smart remarks all the time — gotta love them!” Coach Webb pointed out.

Opener: At Greely, Monday, Sept. 4, 3 p.m.

Home Opener: York, Saturday, Sept. 9, 1 p.m.