BASEBALL
Last season the team had an overall record of 17-3 and were SMAA Playoff Champions. They lost to Cheverus in the Semi-Finals.
Coach Chuck Nadeau has a group of experienced young men on his team this year with seven senior starters returning from last year’s SMAA Championship team. “Our challenge will be to replace All Conference Pitcher Logan Drouin (10-0) as well as All Conference Catcher Jason Komulainen, both currently freshman at USM.
Athletes to Watch: Sr. Captain Ben Nelson, Shortstop, 1st Team SMAA; Sr. Captain Kyle King, 3B, 1st Team SMAA; Sr. Captain Nolan Brown, CF, 2nd Team SMAA; Sr. David Drew, OF, 1st Team SMAA; Sr. Captain Brogan McDonald, Catcher, SMAA Honorable Mention; Sr. Will Prescott, 2B; and Sr. Lucas Roop, LF.
Nadeau’s outlook for the season: “I expect that we will be competitive, but our ability to challenge the top teams in the SMAA and go deep into tournament play will depend on how effectively we develop a competitive pitching staff.”
First game: GHS at Cheverus on April 20 at 11 a.m. Home Opener: Biddeford at GHS Tuesday April 24 at 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Coach Renee Whipkey said her team has many key seniors returning this season. Shay Harris, Emily Murray, Kalie Perry, Michelle Rowe and Grace McGouldrick have all had meaningful minutes throughout their careers.
Coach Whipkey said, “Grace McGouldrick will especially be one to watch. She is a pitcher and shortstop who batted 0.645 last year, she had 30 runs, 22 RBI’s and 10 stolen bases.” McGouldrick was named to the SMAA first team and All-State team as named by the Maine Sunday Telegram. She will be heading to the University of Maine to play softball and coach said, “she has had an amazing softball career at GHS and will be a strong leader for our team.”
Coach said the first two teams will bring back some stronger pitchers in the SMAA conference, and they hope to get off to a good start.
First game: GHS at Portland on April 19 at 4 p.m. Home Opener: Noble at GHS on April 21 at 11 a.m.
BOYS’ TRACK
Coach Jason Tanguay, in his 9th year of coaching, said his team finished 13th in SMAAs and 22nd in the Class A State Meet.
Key Athletes: Seniors: Jason Catoggio, pole vault; Anthony Chase, distance; Luke Gowen, sprints; Garrett Higgins, jumps; Wil Rossignol, distance. Juniors: Dylan Lamont, racewalk; Simon Roussel, sprints and jumps. Sophomores: Wes Brinegar, hurdles and jumps; Ryan Farr, sprints and jumps; Tyler Rollins, sprints; Andrew Tinkham, distance. Freshmen: Aidan Bell, jumps and sprints; Reed Henderson, distance; Nate Smith, hurdles and jumps. Key Meets: Regular season match-ups with Bonny Eagle and Westbrook
Coach Tanguay said, “We are looking at one of our largest boys’ teams in the past many years with nearly 50 athletes out so far. Many of these competitors are new to the sport or freshman so our success will rely on the progress made by these inexperienced athletes.” With many returning scorers from last year, he is looking for the team to be somewhere in the middle of the pack, with hopes of moving up from there.
GIRLS’ TRACK
Coach John Caterina is in his 30th year coaching. Last year the girls were 6th in SMAAs and 10th in the Class A State Meet. Captains: Anna Slager, Meadow Fortier, Evelyn Kitchen, Avery Germond.
Key Athletes: Seniors: Hayley Bickford, racewalk; Meadow Fortier, mid-distance; Alexis Fotter, hurdles, sprints; Sarah Johnson, mid-distance; Maddie Rossignol, sprints, pole vault; Anna Slager, distance. Juniors: Lauren Barden, pole vault; Avery Germond, sprints; Evelyn Kitchen, jumps and javelin; Sara Slager, javelin. Sophomores: Iris Kitchen, distance; Stef Meacham, racewalk; Kate Tugman, distance; Quinn Young, jumps. Freshmen: Nevaeh Moore, sprints. Key Meets: Regular season match-ups with Scarborough are always a good indication of team strengths.
Coach Caterina said, “Gorham has a veteran team with lots of talent this year. After successful XC and Indoor Track seasons, Gorham should be considered a contender for both SMAA and Class A honors along with Cheverus, Scarborough and Thornton Academy.”
Slager returns as a perennial scorer in the distance races, along with Meadow Fortier, Iris Kitchen and Kate Tugman. He said, “This foursome will be one of the favorites in the 4 X 800 relay, an event where they broke the state record during the indoor season.” Evelyn Kitchen is a returning scorer in the javelin, long jump and triple jump and she will be adding a fourth event this spring. Gorham should also score some significant points in the 1600 Racewalk as both Bickford and Meacham will be among the top racers in the SMAA.
“If Gorham can continue to improve in the sprints and hurdles, they will be a top threat at the league and state meet levels,” added Caterina.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Last season, Coach Mary Guimond’s team finished its regular season 7-5 and went on to win its first playoff game in the last six years. They fell 4-1 in the regional semi-finals to the eventual state champs, Massabesic. Captains: Brooke Greatorex, Bridget Rossignol, Kayla Stickney, and Hallie Shiers
Key Returning Players: Bridget Rossignol, senior attacker, was second-team all-conference last season, and brings hustle and heart to our attack. Faith Dillon, a sophomore attacker, led the team in draw controls and ground balls last year. Brooke Greatorex, a senior defender, returns to a leadership role after a solid junior season. Sarah Walker, a junior defender, led the team in caused turnovers last season. Juniors Hallie Shiers and Hailey Morrill, along with sophomore Carson Battaglia, bring speed and intensity to the midfield.
In regard to key match-ups, Guimond said, “The classes have been moved around, so we’ll see a lot of new people this year.” She said they’ll see heavy-hitters in Kennebunk and Greely, along with the the usual tough games against Massabesic, Marshwood, and Thornton Academy.
“We have some seriously fast sophomores who will be breaking into the varsity lineup this year, pushing our upperclassmen to be even stronger,” Guimond added.
The team will rely on their grit, speed and athleticism to compete with the best teams in the state.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
The boys’ lacrosse team has a new coach in Clayton Jones. Last year the team was 8-4 on the year. Key loss: All-American goalkeeper Carter Landry. Key Returners: Sam Burghardt (D), Jake Dupuis (A), and Ben Nault (M), Holden Edwards (D), Hunter Poitras (D), Chris Tucker (A) and Dominic Lorello (A). Key newcomers: Connor Dougherty (A) and Giuseppe Brown (G).
Coach Jones joked that he is the wild card. Joining the team just before the start of pre-season, he brings a fresh approach and a wealth of experience. Excitement abounds as everyone looks to see what changes he might bring to an already solid program.
Jones said, “Burghardt leads what should be a solid defensive group, while newcomers Dougherty and Brown will challenge for playing time at both ends of the field.” There is lots of enthusiasm and potential at every position, and Jones said it could turn into a great season for the Rams. Key match-ups include Thornton Academy in the opener and an early contest with Falmouth.
“With lots of change comes lots of opportunity. If the Rams can put all the pieces together, they could be dangerous,” Jones added.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Coach Aaron Landry said, “Last year we lost to the eventual State Champions, Thornton Academy, in the Quarterfinals.”
Players to watch are: Seniors Sean Pocock, Ben Donohue, John Scribner, Colby Lewry, and Aaron Farr as well as Junior, Jayden Gaudreau.
Landry said, “We have a big team with a lot of athletes and several freshmen who look to contribute.” He added that they are a competitive team with lots of players fighting for ladder spots. The first match is on April 23 against Deering.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Coach Nicole Bergeron said last year’s record was 11 and 1 in the regular season, 12 and 2 including playoffs. Key losses include #3 singles Whitney King, #2 singles Jenna Cowan, #1 doubles Delaney Burns, and #1 doubles Avery Arena. Key returning player is Sophomore Jocelyn Bolt, who is playing #1 singles. Key newcomer: senior Sarah McKnight.
Key match-ups: Thornton Academy and Scarborough
Coach Bergeron said, “I’m encouraged by what I’ve been seeing in practice and by the improvement of the players. They’re competitive and they’re all looking forward to regular season play.”
The first match is on April 23 at GHS against Deering High School.