BASEBALL:
Returning Senior Leaders: Trevor Gray (1B), Trevor Loubier (3B), Joey Curesky (P, SS), Jacob Sladen (P, IF, OF). New Players to Watch: Sean Boylen (Freshman; C), Kyle Skolfield (Freshman; P, OF), Bode Meader (Sophomore; IF), Aaron Mains (Junior; DH, IF). Veterans ready to emerge: Zach Green (Senior; P, OF), Jacob Polchies (Junior; OF), Peter Richards (Junior; P), Brandon Cummings (Senior; IF)
The team is also excited to welcome some former Ram baseball players back to the program including Kevin Mollison (Senior; OF), Bryce Womack (Senior; P, IF), and Aaron Goschke (Senior; P, OF).
Photo credit Amanda Landry Photography/Gorham Sports PageCoach Chuck Nadeau shared, “As the defending Southern Maine Class A Champion, we return just two regular players from last year’s lineup: Trevor Gray and Trevor Loubier. Although rebuilding a lineup, we do have some talented and experienced pitchers in Sladen, Curesky and Green. The return of Goschke, after three seasons of high school baseball in Texas, is a big boost to our program.” Nadeau expects Skolfield will be a major contributor on the mound as well.
Although it may be one of the more inexperienced teams the Rams have had in several seasons, Nadeau said that this team will grow quickly and look to be a factor in the tournament in June, and added, “Coach Polchies, Coach Morin and myself are incredibly excited to work with this high-character group.”
SOFTBALL:
Coach Renee Whipkey shared, “Gorham softball is excited to get this season started. Although we lost five starting seniors from last year’s team, including Gatorade Player of the year Grace McGouldrick (GHS ’18), we have a lot of young talent.”
Returning sophomores Tatyanna Biamby, Molly Murray, and Morgan Roast will play a big part in both the Lady Rams’ offensive and defensive game. Junior Kiana Tracey, who hit five home runs last year, and senior Emma Shields will also be key parts to the middle of the line-up.
“We face some of the toughest SMAA opponents early in the season, seeing Scarborough, Massabesic, and Noble in three of our first four games,” Whipkey said. The girls hope to be competitive against each team they play, and look forward to working together for a successful season.
BOYS’ LACROSSE:
Last season Gorham repeated as Regional Semifinalists. Looking to improve on their final 6-8 record of last year, the Rams are lead by co-captains (for the second year) Jake Dupuis and Ben Nault. They look to impart both poise and higher expectations to the big group of underclassmen joining them this year.
Coach Clayton Jones said, “The strength looks to be the attack, where three seniors, Dupuis, Connor Dougherty, and Dominic Lorello, bring experience and unique skill sets. ”
The defensive end of the field will be anchored by two senior goalies: Giuseppe Brown and Joe Hepler. The two split time last year and both have looked strong in the preseason. “The rest of the defense will need to develop quickly, where a mix of experience and athleticism will have to come together quickly,” Jones said.
“Junior Cole Perrault is the only returning starter, so every week of experience will count for this unit. The mid-field could develop quickly with senior leadership from Nault, and Cooper Lyons, while several younger players vie for playing time,” added Jones.
The Rams open against stiff competition, starting with Thornton Academy and Falmouth in the first week of the season. Mid-season will see a rivalry game with Scarborough, a win last year for the Rams. Finally, late season tests against South Portland and neighboring Windham should help propel Gorham toward the playoffs.
“Last year was clearly a transition year for Gorham, and this group of Rams seems poised to forge a path deeper into the post season,” said Jones.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE:
Last season the Lady Rams finished with a record of 4-8 and a playoff loss at South Portland. Coach Mary Guimond said, “Though we graduated nine seniors, we have a solid group returning and a motivated and hard-working group of underclassmen that will keep them honest.”
In speaking about key returning players, Guimond said, “Senior captains Hallie Shiers, Sarah Walker, and Hailey Morrill along with junior captain Carson Battaglia bring a solid work ethic to the program. Goalie Paige Hume, along with defenders Sarah Walker and Kacie Walton, will be our rocks out back as we work to fill the holes left by our graduating low defenders. Peyton Morton, Shiers, and Battaglia provide excellent two-way play, and we will look to attackers like Morrill, Faith Dillon, Jill Nichols, and Haley Lowell to run a balanced offense,” Coach Guimond said.
Key matchups are against Marshwood, Massabesic, and Thornton Academy. The team will focus on tightening up its defense first, but really hope to find some offensive sparks and find ways to finish on attack.
BOYS’ TRACK:
Last year the boys track team took 8th place at the SMAA Championship. This year Gorham will be working hard to be competitive during the regular season. “We graduated some quality competitors, but have some underclassmen who could help us out in big meets. I am looking forward to watching the new faces make progress this season,” Coach Jason Tanguay said.
Key Athletes to watch: Seniors Simon Roussel (jumps) and Dylan Lamont (racewalk); Juniors: Ryan Farr (sprints) and Andrew Tinkham (distance); Sophomores: Ryan Gendron (jumps) and Reed Henderson (distance); Freshmen: Andrew Farr (sprints) and Calvin Cummings (distance).
GIRLS’ TRACK:
Last year the Lady Rams took 2nd place in the SMAA and 3rd place in State Class A.
Coach John Caterina said, “Gorham will be among the top teams in the SMAA and Class A again this spring. A strong freshmen class will help offset the graduation of several key scorers from last year’s team.” Evelyn and Iris Kitchen, Kate Tugman, Lauren Barden and Stef Meacham return as big meet scorers, while Alyvia Caruso, Sydney Connolly, Emma Green and Maddie Michaud all proved to be capable scorers after a successful indoor season.
Key Athletes to watch are Seniors: Lauren Barden (PV/hurdles), Avery Germond (sprints), Kasey Jiang (hurdles) and Evelyn Kitchen (throws/ jumps); Juniors: Iris Kitchen (mid-distance), Stef Meacham (racewalk), Abby O’Brien (jumps/throws), Kate Tugman (distance), and Lydia Valentine (racewalk); Sophomores: Olivia Michaud (sprints) and Nevaeh Moore (sprints); Freshmen: Alyvia Caruso (jumps/hurdles), Sydney Connolly (sprints), Emma Green (HJ), and Maddie Michaud (sprints).
BOYS’ TENNIS:
Coach Adam Landry shared the boys have a young team and hope to build on success from last season when they lost in the Southern Maine Semifinal to Falmouth. Key players returning are Seniors: Jayden Gaudreau and Sam Pocock; Juniors: Andrew Rent and Brady King; Sophomores: Andrew Brent and Dom Garcia; Freshman: Will Boylen.
GIRLS’ TENNIS:
With a record of 11-2 last season, Coach Nicole Bergeron said, “We’re all very excited to start a new season with both familiar and new faces. Many of the girls will get a chance to grow into their new positions on the ladder. We’re looking forward to a solid and successful season.”
The player strengths for the ladies are the following: #1 singles player, Jocelyn Bolt, with last year’s impressive 11-2 record, is on deck and hungry for the season to start. The ladies have a strong doubles team consisting of Haley Burns and Izzy Kolb. They are ready to go and hoping to at least repeat last year’s record of only one loss.
The Lady Rams have experience on their side with key players returning in seniors Gabby Gagne, Grace Terry, Isabelle Kolb, Maggie Munkacsi, and Sarah Baxter, along with Bolt, Hannah Dimick and Maddie Firmin.
Key matchups will be against Scarborough and Thornton Academy who are always important challenges. “We should have a successful season as players step up in their positions on the ladder,” Bergeron said.