Key newcomers: G Allyssa Marson (So., 5-6), G Mia Diplock (Fr., 5-7), G Chelsea Begin (Fr., 5-5).

Outlook: The Rams graduated just two players from last yearÕs team, but Rachael Mack and Shelby Pelkey were key performers and will be tough to replace. Also lost was veteran coach Paul Vachon, who stepped down after 23 years and seven state championshps to become the schoolÕs athletic director. Former Cony star Karen Sirois has taken over and will build the team around defense and outside shooting. The Rams arenÕt big but theyÕre failry deep and have a lot of speed.

CoachÕs comment: ÒWeÕre going to be competitive, definitely. It depends on how bad they want it.Ó

Coach: Tim Bonsant (1st season)

Last season: 13-5 in Class A East

Top returners: G Greg OÕNeill (Sr., 6-0), F Brian Carville (Sr., 6-2), F Marc McDonald (Sr., 6-1), F Charlie Partridge (Jr., 6-5), G Jake Lachance (Jr., 6-0), G Ray Cotnoir (Sr., 5-6), G Jason Burns (Jr., 5-11)

Key newcomers: F Adam Whittier (Jr., 6-3), G Zach Wormell (Jr., 6-1), G Ryan Minoty (Jr., 5-11), Casey Jones (Jr., 5-8).

Outlook: The Rams are farly small and inexperienced, but Bonsant, the former Erskine Academy coach, likes what heÕs seen in practice. They have a good playmaker in OÕNeill and a proven scorer in Carville but after that most of the team is untested. Patridge and McDonald will need to contribute on the boards and another scorer or two will need to emerge.

CoachÕs comment: ÒWeÕre going to make it an 84-foot game with man and zone pressure and try to play nine to 10 people.Ó

Coach: Jon Millett (12th year)

Last season: 3rd in KVAC Class A, 10th in Class A

Top returners: Jordan Rothrock (Sr. backstroke); Joah Juarez (Jr. backstroke), Joey Harwood (Jr. freestyle); Nick Styles (Jr. freestyle).

Key newcomers: Jimmy Neff (Jr. freestyle); Stewart Emery (So. I.M.); Kenny Foster (Jr. I.M.); Bo Walker (Fr. freestyle).

Outlook: A year ago, Millett was hopeful that his young swimmers like Ethan McGuire and Juarez could deliver. McGuire placed second in the 100 freestyle, third in the 200 IM and was part of the winning 400 freestyle relay team at the KVAC Class A championship. This winter, McGuire wonÕt be with the team as he has transferred to the Math & Science Magnet School in Limestone. Part of a large swimming family, Juarez will be a solid contributor again this season after finishing sixth in the 200 freestyle at KVACs. Rothrock, who took fourth in the 50 freestyle and third in the 100 backstroke at the same meet, will be a senior leader for the Rams. Like his girls team, Millett has seen a jump in turnout this season. He says this depth will prove key for the Rams as the season rolls on.

CoachÕs comment: ÒMy team is so different this year. I have depth now. We used to have a strong front line with no depth. But now I got a good front line and lots of depth. IÕm ecstatic.Ó

Coach: Jon Millett (12th year)

Last season: 3rd in KVAC Class A

Top returners: Erica Adams (Sr. breaststroke); Alyssa Dufor (Jr. freestyle, I.M.); Deborah Juarez (Sr. backstroke, I.M.); Rachel Peterson (Jr. breaststroke); Laura Siegars (Jr. freestyle); Liz Barker (So. butterfly, backstroke); Jess Brox (Jr. freestyle).

Key newcomers: Victoria Webber (Fr. I.M., butterfly, freestyle); Phoebe Campbell (Fr. freestyle, breaststroke); Erica Melanson (So. freestyle); Austin Carolin (Sr. freestyle).

Outlook: The Rams lost a lot of excellent senior swimmers from a year ago due to graduation including Brianna Boucher and Anna Bronder. Cony also suffered a tough blow in October when the sophomore Barker suffered a season-ending knee injury while playing soccer for Cony. As a freshman last season, Barker showed a lot of promise, finishing fourth in both the KVAC Class A 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. Despite these challenges, there is a lot for Millett to be optimistic about as the season gets underway including an amazing turnout and the showing so far of the newcomers to the program such as Webber and Campbell.

CoachÕs comment: ÒI canÕt believe the turnout. ItÕs just unbelievable. TheyÕll be a force to be reckoned with by the end of the season. Campbell will be challenging for a top spot in KVACs.Ó

Coach: Shawn Totman (4th season)

Last season: 5th in KVAC A, 5th in Eastern A, 12th in Class A

Top returners: Morgan Beede (Jr.), Elizabeth Cote (So.), Sarah Nims (So.)

Key newcomers: Jade McGuire (Fr.), Caitlynn Barrowes (Fr.)

Outlook: With a bunch of experienced seniors, Cony took a big step and made the state meet as a team a season ago. Those six seniors are now gone. Beede will lead the Rams this season after finishing fifth at the KVAC A championship last fall.

Coach's comment: "It all depends if these couple of new girls can work hard every practice. I think they have the talent. This is definitely a rebuilding year."

Coach: Shawn Totman (4th season)

Last season: 6th in KVAC A, 5th in Eastern A

Top returners: Luke Fontaine (Jr.), Kevin Lind (Jr.), Briar Beede (Jr.), Jon Day (Jr.), Spencer Hodge (Jr.), Will Lundquist (So.), Anthony Rutledge (So.), Peter Tracy (Jr.), Rory McGuire (Jr.)

Key newcomers: Sebastian Rose (Jr.), Logan Parker (Jr.), Matt Boucher (So.), Chris Sloinia (Fr.), Mala Johnsone (Exchange Student)

Outlook: The future is finally here for the Rams. This group of juniors has been performing well since they placed fifth at KVACs as freshmen. Fontaine is one of the best runners in the area and should compete for the state title after finishing 10th at the Class A meet last fall. With Lundquist, Day and Beede alongside him the Rams have an excellent chance qualifying for the state meet.

Coach's comment: "We definitely have more numbers than we have had in a while. Fontaine will be one of the stronger runners in the state. That kid never takes a practice off. He's unbelievable. I'm excited. These kids have worked really hard over the summer."

Coach: Krista Chase (7th season)

Last season: 12-4, made Eastern A semifinals

Top returners: B Alyssa Vallee (Sr.), M Emily Coulombe (Sr.), B Kayla Belanger (Sr.), F Stephanie Hinds (Sr.), F Brittany Ford (Sr.), G Felisha Taylor (Sr.), SW Abby Tardiff (Jr.), M Alyssa Dufour (Jr.), M/B Jessica Brox (Jr.), M Kristen Felt (So.)

Key newcomers: G Austyn Carolin (Sr.), B Jordan Duchart (Jr.), F Emily Carr (Jr.), F Lauen Sternad (Jr.), B Katherine Bowie (So.), F Nicole Kirschner (So.), F Ali Zubrod (So.)

Outlook: With players like Ford, Felt and Belanger, the Rams will again be a contender in Eastern A. Chase said she plans to split the goalie job between Taylor, Natalie Fecteau's backup the last three years, and Carolin, a 6-foot transfer from St. Dom's. Cony will again plays its home games at Buker Middle School.

Coach's comment: "I have some great individual players. A lot of these girls have played a lot through the offseason. The real challenge, as it is every year, is to see whether we can pull it together as a group."

Coach: Nate Benoit (7th season)

Last season: 3-8-3

Top returners: MF Calvin Forbes (Sr.), MF Casey Jones (Sr.), MF Mike Connors (Sr.), F Mike Demos (Sr.), D Curtis Ludwig (Sr.), D Jordan Rothrock (Sr.), MF Nate DeRocher (Sr.), MF Dustin Dang (Jr.), D Jacob Forbes (Jr.), D James Neff (Jr.), D Parker O'Brien (Jr.), MF Tyler Rodrigue (Jr.), MF Andrew Stiman (Jr.), MF Colbi Davis (So.), MF Alex Smith (So.)

Key newcomers: F Gauthier Kayamba (Jr.), F Jay Madison (Jr.), MF Colin McKee (So.), G Blake Douchette (Fr.), D Jason Burns (Jr.)

Outlook: With a large returning group of players, the Rams should compete for a playoff spot this season. The team put in solid work in the summer and showed it could stay with some of the stronger teams in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference. Ludwig is the key player on defense while Benoit hopes newcomers Kayamba and Madison can add some scoring punch.

Coach's comment: "We have more experience than we did last year. I expect our team to be competitive."

Coach: Jeremy Greenleaf (2nd season)

Last season: 5-9 in Class A East

Top returners: G Kylie Cheever (Sr.), D/MF Courtney Dufour (Sr.), MF Deborah Juarez (Sr.), F Cassie Diplock (Jr.), F Mackenzie Dufour (Jr.), MF Tori Fowler (Jr.), G Amy Jones (Jr.), D Naomi Miller (Jr.), MF Olivia Boivin (So.), MF Suzanna Deeves (So.), D Kristina Goranson (So.)

Key newcomers: MF Macy Pagurko (Jr.), D Rachael Petersen (Jr.), MF Hayley LaChance (So.), D Kaitlyn Marks (So.), MF Mia Diplock (Fr.), D Katrina Duncan (Fr.)

Outlook: The Rams have a number of returning starters and a nice mx of role players who turned in a successful summer. They return a strong defense, although the battle for goaltender is still up in the air, and Cassie Diplock and Mackenzie Dufour should provide some offense. Their greatest strength, though, is their overall speed and athleticism.

Coach's comment: "We're very quick. Our team speed is going to help us tremendously."

Coach: Tim Folsom (12th season)

Last season: 5-4, missed qualifying for states

Home course: Natanis

Top returners: Jake McVety (Sr.), Josh Zayac (Jr.), Tyler Moody (Jr.), Kyle Bonenfant (So.), Ryan Minoty (Jr.)

Key newcomers: Dylan Karczewski (So.)

Outlook: The Rams have a solid returning group, led by McVety, who are all capable of breaking 40. They missed qualifying for the state tournament by one stroke last season and should make it this season if they play to their potential. Cony also enjoys the advantage of having its home course at Natanis, site of the conference and state meets.

Coach's comment: Not available

Head coach: Robbie Vachon (2nd year)

Assistant coaches: B.J. Dostie (defensive coordinator), B.L. Lippert (offensive coordinator)

Last season: 5-5, lost in PTC A quarterfinals

Offensive leaders: C Mark McDonald, G Mike Frasier (Sr.5), RB Greg O'Neill (Sr.), C Taylor Boutin (Sr.), WR Raymond Cotnoir (Sr.), WR Shane Hazzard, FB T.J. Vallee (Jr.), RB Chris Robinson (Jr.), G Ben Rhoten (Jr.), WR Rick Orio (Jr.), WR Adam Whittier; TB Garrett Lucas (Jr.), WR Nick Plante (Jr.), WR Geoff Ancira (Sr.), WR Luke Duncklee (So.), QB Nick Lucas (So.)

Defensive leaders: MLB Frasier, DB Cotnoir, DB Hazzard, DE Vallee, LB Robinson, DT Rhoten, RB Orio, DB Whittier, LB Garrett Lucas, DB Plante, LB Ancira, DB Duncklee.

Outlook: The Rams last season started 0-4 before they won four straight to clinch a playoff berth. They also snapped a 27-game losing skid last year. Cony will be young this season and will also have to sort out a quarterback battle between Duncklee and Nick Lucas.

Coach's comment: "We'll have some depth, but the two keys for us will quarterback and defensive end. We'll have tough shoes to fill. Hopefully, we can be competitive again. We are going to be very young, and the kids will have to step up and be impact players for us."