In April, a decision was made by the Maine Principals Association to cancel the Spring 2020 season due to COVID-19. It was already a difficult time for seniors. They not only faced leaving their teachers and friends abruptly, while also converting to online schooling to finish out their high school careers, but they also missed out on capping off their athletic careers as well.
While it may seem like a small sacrifice, it’s important to acknowledge the things these seniors are missing out on: the experiences with their teammates and coaches, as well as the opportunity to break records and compete for championships. Each new season brings hope and determination to become better as individual players and as teammates. For the Class of 2020, all they have are the memories they have made and whatever their future endeavors may hold.
As a means to “honor” the senior athletes, we’ve invited them all to share their favorite memories and accomplishments as well as an opportunity to shout out to their family, friends and coaches.
BASEBALL:
Jack Van Zandt – Van Zandt’s favorite memory from baseball at GHS was having the opportunity to compete with some of his best friends each year. “I’d like to say thank you to all my coaches throughout the years, especially coach Welsh, my fellow seniors, and my other teammates that I have been lucky enough to play with,” he said. Van Zandt will be playing football (and hopefully continuing his baseball career) at Plymouth State University while studying Allied Health Science.
Josh Ball – Ball’s favorite memory during his three years of spring sports was spending time with his teammates at practices and on bus rides. “My number one accomplishment was becoming more of a leader and a better teammate,” Ball shared. “To all my teammates, I want to thank you. My road was a bumpy one to this point, but helping be a leader to the younger group and contributing to a great team was something I was really looking forward to this season. As sad as it is that my fellow senior teammates and I won’t be able to compete this year, you guys are an incredible group with a lot of promise and I look forward to watching you younger guys make a run next year.” Ball will be attending Husson University next year with a major in Sports Journalism.
SOFTBALL:
Lydia Drew – Drew’s favorite memory during spring sports was the last regular-season game of her softball career when they were playing at USM against Kennebunk. The game was tied 3-3 and Drew hit a walk-off to end the game 4-3. She said her best accomplishment was receiving the Coach’s Award last year during sports awards. “Thank you for all the support and effort that my coaches had already put into the season and still are doing, it hasn’t gone unnoticed. I loved the energy that this team was already showing, and I know they’ll continue it for next year and rock the season,” Drew shared. In the fall she will be attending the University of Southern Maine for nursing.
Kiana Tracey – Tracey’s favorite memory from high school softball was having Saturday morning clinics with the younger kids. One of her best accomplishments was hitting 11 home runs throughout her three years of playing. “I would like to give a shoutout to the coaches I’ve had all the way from Babe Ruth up until high school who have supported me and pushed me to be a better player. I would also like to give a shoutout to all of the friends I have gained from playing this sport for the last eight years,” she said.
Meg Perry – Perry shared, “In my past three years of softball I have a bunch of memories I will hold onto forever. The one that stands out the most would be always being around my teammates for the season, they always knew how to put a smile on my face.” Her number one accomplishment was hitting her first high school home run during junior year while playing at USM and the excitement of her teammates and coaches. “I would like to give a shout out to all of my coaches and teammates who have impacted my softball career at GHS and the other three seniors who I have played with since third grade.” Perry also wanted to thank Coach McGouldrick. She said while she didn’t get the chance to have him coach her this year, she knows he is going to make a huge difference in Gorham Softball. Meg’s college plans are to study Criminology and Psychology at the University of Southern Maine while playing on the volleyball team.
BOYS’ LACROSSE:
Cole Perreault – One of Perrault’s favorite memories was beating Scarborough High School boys lacrosse team at their home field his freshman year. This was the first time in Gorham High School boy’s lacrosse history that this happened. “My number one accomplishment was making the varsity boys lacrosse team my freshman year. I also set a goal to try and have the most ground balls on the team. I reached that goal my junior year,” he said. “I would like to thank all of my coaches along the way, including Dan Soule, Bob Ferro, Sam Manders and Tom Talbott, for setting great examples of accountability, responsibility and discipline. To my fellow teammates, never take anything for granted! Work hard at every drill, practice and game. Enjoy the time you have left at GHS because you never know when it might all be over. Finally to my classmates, I wish you all success in whatever you choose to do. Live life to the fullest and appreciate all that you have.” Perreault will be attending Rivier University to study Cyber-Security Management and minor in Homeland Security, as well as playing defense on the men’s lacrosse team.
Ryan Gaudreau – Gaudreau’s favorite memory was last year against South Portland. “I choose this memory because it alway reminds me that no matter how far down you are or how much you are getting beaten on you can always come back,” he shared. While they didn’t win, he was proud that they could work together and hang in there with a better team. “My biggest accomplishment is becoming a captain because it means that I am a good role model for the upcoming players and that my opinion matters. I’d like to thank my coaches for putting up with us because I know we can be a little crazy at times. And I’d like to thank my teammates/brothers that I have been able to experience these years with,” he said. Gaudreau will be attending Bridgewater State University where he will study Aeronautical Science with a concentration in Flight.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE:
Faith Dillon – One of Dillon’s favorite memories during the past three years of spring sports was fundraising. The team did a yearly fundraiser where they were put into groups and assigned different neighborhoods in Gorham in an effort to sell coupon books. Dillon said it was a really great way to get to know her teammates. “My number one accomplishment in spring sports, I think, would be getting on varsity freshman year. In middle school we would try to guess who would make it freshman year and I wasn’t one of those people. I pushed myself and earned a spot and started every game that year so that was exciting for me,” she shared. “I want to give a shoutout to Coach Guimond. She was my teacher and advisor in eighth grade, one of my hockey coaches for the past two years, and my lacrosse coach since freshman year. She has helped me grow so much as an athlete and as a person and I’m thankful for that. I also want to give a shoutout to my teammates who I love so much. We were going to do so many amazing things this year and we had high standards. And while it’s too bad we don’t get to play this year, I know they will do great things next season and in the future,” she said. In the fall, Dillon is attending Adelphi University where she will play DII field hockey.
Jill Nichols – Nichols’ all-time favorite memory is when her team went out and played their absolute best against Massabesic last spring in the semifinals. While the girls came up one goal short, she said they had a special team and Nichols was very proud to be a part of it. “My number one accomplishment was being able to prove to coach that I was able to compete at the varsity level. I scored my first ever goal in our very first game vs. Falmouth my freshman year,” she said. “Lacrosse has given me the best teammates, ones who I will never forget. It has also given me the best coach I could have ever asked for, she has taught me so much and always found new ways to push me. Thank you coach!” Nichols will be attending Merrimack College in the fall to study nursing and plans to play club lacrosse.
Haley Lowell – Lowell’s best memory has always been getting to play with her friends as well as making new friends on the team. She shared, “My biggest accomplishment was scoring six goals in a varsity game while swinging up from JV, and being recognized with an All Conference award.”
Kacie Walton – Walton’s favorite memories playing for Gorham Girls Lacrosse included being able to play with her best friends, riding the bus to away games, and last year when they made it to the semifinal playoff game. She said, “My number one accomplishment was being able to start almost every game for the past years, and stepping up to be a leader last year as a defenseman.”
“I would like to shout out my coaches, Coach Guimond, Coach Dannie, Coach D, and Coach Payne. I would also like to shout out all of the seniors, who are some of my best friends. Thank you to everyone from Gorham girls lacrosse who have truly made me love this sport, and who have made it so hard to lose this spring season.” Walton plans to attend Temple University for the Army ROTC program, where she will study nursing.
Elyssa Johnson – Johnson’s favorite memory was riding the bus to away games and singing with her team at the top of their lungs. “I love playing lacrosse and over the nine years I have played, I love seeing the growth for me as a player, teammate and overall person as a whole,” she said. “Thank you to all my teammates I have played with over the years, especially my senior teammates who I have been with through everything. Thank you to my awesome coaches, and my parents who started me in this amazing sport!” Johnson said. Johnson is attending the University of Vermont this fall and will major in nursing.
Carson Battaglia – Battaglia’s favorite memory from lacrosse was her last high school game ever. “We played at Massabesic and lost by one in the last minute, but it was by far our best team effort and we left the field knowing we outplayed them,” she stated. Battaglia said her greatest accomplishment was becoming a captain her junior year. “It meant a lot to me that my teammates thought of me as a leader. Coach Guimond made my three years a great experience, and I’m so thankful I got to have her as a coach for both hockey and lacrosse. A lot of my teammates were girls that I’ve been playing with since third grade, and I feel lucky to live in a town with such a great youth program.” This year’s team would have had over a dozen seniors, and Carson feels this says a lot about Gorham’s program that so many girls stayed a part of it for 10 years. She added, “While I’ll miss spending my senior year with these girls, I feel fortunate to have so many memories with them both on and off the field.” Battaglia will continue playing lacrosse at St Joseph’s College in the fall.
BOYS’ TENNIS:
Brady King – King’s favorite memory was going 10-1 in the regular season as part of a doubles team with Andrew Rent. They beat Falmouth and Thornton Academy, two teams who King said are well known for having a stellar program. “My best accomplishment was getting the Gorham Doubles Award alongside Andrew Rent from Coach Landry,” he said. King will miss everything about tennis season. “Coach Landry and my teammates were awesome. It was always a great change-of-pace from soccer season, I will miss it greatly.” King plans to attend Maine Maritime Academy where he will study International Business and Logistics while playing soccer for the Mariners.
Patrick Bishop – Bishop’s favorite memories come simply from playing tennis with his friends after school everyday. Following graduation, Bishop will study Mechanical Engineering Technology at the University of Maine.
Cameron Myles – Myles’ favorite memory was during the doubles tournament where he and his partner made it to the quarterfinals, saying it was a great experience for both of them and they each felt very proud. “I started tennis my sophomore year. I wanted to be on varsity by my junior year so I pushed for it and achieved it,” he said. “I would like to thank Coach Landry and everyone else on the team for allowing us all to have lots of fun and great moments together.” Myles will be attending Husson University to study Physical Therapy. While the school does not have a school tennis team, Myles hopes to compete with a club or intramural team.
Lucas LaMontagne – LaMontagne’s favorite memory was upsetting Falmouth’s second doubles team to the point where they reported the match as a forfeit instead of the actual score. “I would like to thank Mr. Landry and my teammates for making the last few years extremely fun and to congratulate them on not losing a match all season,” he said. LaMontagne will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall where he plans to major in Statistics or Economics.
GIRLS’ TENNIS:
Haley Burns – Burns’ favorite memory playing tennis was having to leave school early to complete a rescheduled doubles tournament. “My partner (Isabelle Kolb) and I won third place and brought back trophies. We had worked hard and were happy with our results.” Burns is most proud of having an undefeated regular season with her doubles partner in 2018. “Thank you to my coach and teammates for encouraging me everyday.” Burns is undecided on a school this fall but plans to play college volleyball.
Maddie Firmin – Firmin said some of her favorite memories include bonding with the team on and off the court. “After matches we would sometimes go to GHOP or go watch the lacrosse games and we would just have a really great time together,” she shared. During her sophomore year, the team record was 11-1 in the regular season. Firmin said this was a huge accomplishment for them as a team, having worked hard for that outcome and accomplishing many goals. “I am so grateful to have been a part of this team! Thank you Coach for always pushing us to be our best. Thank you to my teammates and fellow seniors for making this such a positive experience and giving me so many great memories. I’ll definitely miss GHS tennis,” she said. Firmin will attend the University of New Hampshire this fall to study Occupational Therapy.
Hannah Dimick – Dimick’s favorite memory during her three years of tennis was when she and her teammates tried to squeeze on a small hammock together after a match. She also shared, “My number one accomplishment was trying to understand the tennis scoring over and over again each season (I understand it now).” She added, “Thank you so much coach for teaching me this lifetime sport, and to my teammates for helping me along the way. I’m so grateful for the wonderful group of girls I got to spend my spring seasons with.” Dimick is attending East Carolina University in the fall where she will study nursing.
BOYS’ TRACK:
Andrew Tinkham – Tinkham said one of his favorite memories during his three years of outdoor track was all of the fun he had with his teammates during down time and on the way back from meets. His best accomplishment was a personal record when he ran under 12 minutes in the 3200 meter. Tinkham said, “I would just like to give a big thank you to all of my coaches who have been there for me over my four years: Coach Tanguay, Coach Karcanes, and Coach Stone. In addition, thank you to all of the friends that I have made from my four years of cross country and indoor & outdoor track!” Tinkham plans to attend the University of Southern Maine where he will study nursing.
GIRLS’ TRACK:
Stefanie Meacham – Meacham’s favorite memory from spring sports was winning the 1600m race walk during the SMAA meet during her sophomore year. “My best accomplishment was qualifying for New Balance Outdoor Track Nationals, also during my sophomore year, and being able to race at that meet.” She said, “Shout out to my coaches: Coach Tanguay, Coach Karcanes and Coach Cat, for always pushing me to do my best. To my race walk girlies…I’m super bummed we didn’t get a last season together, but I loved competing alongside you and can’t wait to see what you do next year!!” Meacham will be a nursing major at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) where she is attending on a track and cross country scholarship.
Kate Tugman – Of all her memories, Tugman said her favorite is going to Nationals last year during the spring track season. Tugman proudly holds nine school records for indoor track and five school records for outdoor track, she was hoping to add more this season. “Thank you to my best friend Iris Kitchen, it’s being amazing to run along side you for the past seven years and I can’t wait to see what you do in college; thank you to my parents for always supporting me; and thank you to all the underclassmen on our team that have supported the seniors during this tough time,” she said. Tugman will be attending Florida State University, majoring in Psychology. She will also be running cross country, indoor, and outdoor track.
Lydia Valentine – Valentine shared, “My favorite memory of spring sports is from last year, about a week before States. It was very warm and the only workout we needed to do was a long race walk around the track. After pacing the pavement for a good few miles, my racewalk buddy and I, Caroline Bishop, went and got ice cream as it was the perfect sunny spring day. We followed that by meeting more track friends at the trestle for a dip in the water. I will always remember that day as sweet and full of laughter.” Valentine counts her number one accomplishment as placing fourth at States in the 1600 meter race walk last year. “I want to thank all of my coaches. Coach Tanguay who started me at racewalk freshman year; Coach Cat, who never gave up on me; and Coach Stone, who gave the best pre-meet yoga sessions. I also want to thank my team, especially my racewalk girls, for staying positive and pushing hard every practice. Words can’t describe how much I miss it,” Valentine said. Valentine will be attending the University of Rhode Island and studying journalism in the Honors Program.
Abby O’Brien – O’Brien loved the bus rides to and from the meets and “Cat’s crazy driving.” She also remembers one practice where she was trying to clear a new height in high jump. She and Coach Caterina made a bet. “If I cleared four feet, then he would have to do 20 push ups. Let me tell you, those were the worst push ups I’ve ever seen! On another note, Cat is such a funny person to be around, especially when he’s your coach. Cat, I am sure going to miss you!” O’Brien said.
Her number one accomplishment during her time at GHS would be placing fifth at Southwesterns for Discus. “That day, I threw 105 feet and broke my own personal record by 30 feet. Sadly, I was five feet short of a 20 year old school record.” To her coaches, O’Brien said, “Thank you for believing in me since day one. I can’t thank you guys enough for sharing your passion of track and field with me because I have not only found a sport that I love, I have found a second family that I couldn’t imagine living without. To all of my track teammates: you guys are the best and I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side these past four years. You all made my high school track career unforgettable and I will miss you all dearly.” O’Brien will be attending Saint Joseph’s College to study Education and Administration with a minor in Social Work in the Honors Program. She will also be running on their track and field team and competing for the dance team.
Quinn Young – Young’s favorite memory from spring track was when some of their team went to the trestle, saying “it was freezing!” She added, “My number one accomplishment at the beginning of this year was to PR in long and triple and I ended up doing my best ever in one of my last indoor meets. I got to PR in long and triple jump that same meet but I am most proud of the 32’11.5’’ during SMAAs (so close to 33’ – ahh). I wish I could have seen what I could have done by outdoor track but I am proud I got to accomplish what I did.” She wanted to shoutout to Coach Stone and the other seniors on her team for “the best high school seasons she could have had.” Young will be attending Husson University to study Criminal Justice. She will play soccer there and jump for the track team.
Iris Kitchen – Kitchen poetically shared, “One of my favorite memories during my four years in spring sports begins with a warm sunny day and a hard workout in the trails ahead of us. I was running with Tom Nelson, Hayden Desmond, Reed Henderson, Josh Lehmann and Calvin Cummings. We got halfway through our run and were crossing a small bridge over a large crisp stream. The water flowed clear and fast. We were all sweaty and focused but I had an idea. As we were right in the middle of crossing, I grabbed Thomas and pushed him in. The cold splash as his trainers hit the water surprised us all. Soon enough we were all in and splashing each other. The run home was soggy and uncomfortable but the smiles stretched across our cheeks made up for it.” Kitchen’s biggest accomplishment in high school spring sports happened her freshman year during outdoor track. “It was the freshman meet hosted at Gorham, with only freshmen allowed to compete. I ran the sprint medley with fellow seniors, Anna Nault, Quinn Young, and Kate Tugman. Quinn and Anna ran the 200, Katrina the 400 and I ran the last leg the 800. We weren’t seeded well, it was pouring cold rain, and the last event of the meet. We were all exhausted and ready to get it over with. We all pushed very hard but the competition was too intense, by the time I received the baton we were close to last with a large gap between us and the leading team. The moment I grabbed the baton I was off and felt like I was flying over the slick track. By the second lap I had passed everyone and was in first, my team and the stands were going wild. After I finished we were all sweaty, wet and exhausted but were jumping in happiness. That was one of the best races I have ever had the chance to be a part of.” Kitchen added, “I want to thank my insanely supportive parents, all my wonderful runner friends who made the miles fly by, Coach Ewers, Coach Cat, Coach Carcanes and Coach Tanguay for shaping me into who I am today.” She will be attending Assumption College where she will study nursing and run cross country, indoor and outdoor track in their DII program.