Sports

Cony High School spring sports previews
BASEBALL
Coach: Ray Vallee (3rd season)
Last season: 14-5, won KVAC title
Top returners: Ryan Minoty (Jr., P), Jake Beland (Jr., P), Eric Lee (Sr., P), Charlie Partridge (Jr., OF-P), Luke Duncklee (So., OF), Mike Poulin (Jr., OF), Jake Lachance (Jr., SS-P) Ray Cotnoir (Sr., 2B), Jason Burns (Jr., C), Tyler Rodrigue (Jr., UT)
Key newcomers: Colin McKee (So., INF), Nick Lucas (So., UT), Matt Bonsant (Sr., 3B), Corey Clarke (Jr., UT), Cory Lapierre (So., 1B), Brandon Arnold (So., C)
Outlook: After winning the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference title last season, the Rams are poised to take the next step and compete for a regional championship. They return their top four pitchers, led by KVAC first teamer Minoty who went 7-1. Lachance is another all-star and one of the best hitters in the conference while Burns is one of the league's top catchers. Although the roster has just two seniors, this group has played a lot of baseball and succeeded at every level.
Coach's comment: "I think we have the ability to at least compete for an Eastern Maine championship."
boys track
Coach: Shawn Totman
Last season: 16th in Class A meet; 7th in KVAC
Top returners: Luke Fontaine (Jr, distance), Rick Orio (Jr., jumps, hurdles, sprints), Mike Connors (Sr., jumps, sprints), Dustin Dang (Jr., sprints), Nick Heath (Sr., throws), Kevin Lind (Jr., race walk), Will Lundquist (Soph., distance), Briar Beede (Jr., mid-distance), Jon Day (Jr., mid-distance)
Key newcomers: Matt Boucher (Soph., distance), Connor Dufour (Fr., jumps, sprints), Chris Slonina (Fr., mid-distance), Jonathan Stephens (Jr., jumps, sprints), Abraham Stephens (Fr., jumps, sprints)
Outlook: Fontaine is one of the top distance runners in the state and is poised for another strong season. He finished fourth in both the 1,600 and 3,200 at the Class A meet last spring. He also won the one-mile event in the Class A indoor meet. Orio, Connors and Dang should also be big scorers as well.
Coach's comment: "This team should be very competitive. Many of the athletes are coming off of fantastic indoor seasons."
girls track
Coach: Shawn Totman
Last season: 4th in KVAC A, 9th in Class A
Top returners: Morgan Beede (Jr., distance, jumps), Mackenzie Dufour (Jr., sprints), Courtney Dufour (Sr., distance), Brittany Ford (Sr. distance), Tori Fowler (Jr., sprints), Deborah Juarez (Sr., throws), Kaitlyn Marks (Soph., mid-distance), Abby Tardiff (Jr. sprints, mid-stance)
Key newcomers: Ashley Harriman (Jr., mid-distance), Corey Lim (Soph., jumps, hurdles), Pheobe Cambell (Fr., mid-distance)
Outlook: The Dufour sisters lead a talented Cony team that should contend in the KVAC as well as the states. Courtney Dufour qualified for the state meet in 1,600. Mackenzie Dufour finished seventh in the 200 and 10th in the 400 at the Class A meet. Beede and Ford each qualified for the state meet in the 3,200 as well.
Coach's comment: "The athletes we have are working harder so far this year than any team I can remember."
Boys lacrosse
Coach: Deb Castonguay (1st season)
Last season: 6-7, lost in East A quarterfinals to Mt. Ararat
Top returners: A/M Chris Logan (Sr.), M Calvin Dyke (Sr.), D Shawn White (Sr.), M Casey Jones (Sr.), M/D Levi Violette (Sr.), D Brandon Farrin (Sr.), A Nathan Derocher (Sr.), D Jack Baldacci (Sr.), M Tyler Moody (Jr.), A/M Colby Carolin (Jr.), M Jon Dale (Jr.).
Key newcomers: A Greg O'Neill (Sr.), D Taylor Boutin (Sr.), A Josh Zayac (Jr.), D TJ Vallee (Jr.), M Chris Robinson (Jr.), M Nick Plante (Jr.).
Outlook: Cony will try to build on a run to the playoffs last season. The Rams graduated key components from that team but have a host of athletic seniors and juniors out this season. Speed and strength will be key factors as the Rams look to regroup this season.
Coach's comment: "It is a building year from the ground up, but I feel they have the ability and desire to be competitive this season."
Girls lacrosse
Coach: Gretchen Livingston (2nd season)
Last season: 7-5, lost in East A quarterfinals to Lewiston
Top returners: M Holly Parker (Sr.) D Erika Adams (Sr.), A Maggie Jacques (Sr.), GK Julia Bush (Jr.), M Cassie Diplock (Jr.), M Natashia Merrill (Jr.), M Naomi Miller (Jr.), A Macy Pagurko (Jr.), D Crystal Clark (So.), A Hayley Lachance (So.), M Kasey Lee (So.).
Key newcomers: D Jessica Murray (Jr.), M Ashley Kelly (Jr.), D Brianna Yates (So.), A Kayla Vachon (So.), A Brooke Logan (So.), M Steph Beeckel (So.), M Mia Diplock (Fr.), D Heather Leet (Fr.), GK Katrina Duncan (Fr.).
Outlook: The Rams enter their second hoping to contend for the KVAC title. Many of the players from last season's 7-5 team return. A core of quick midfield players whose stick skills have improved tremendously will lead this team. Cony's attack returns aggressive scorers and stronger defense is a focus for the Rams this season.
Coach's comment: "Our program has grown so much in three short years. We were thrilled last year with the success we achieved in our first varsity season. This year's seniors were freshmen when we began our journey as a club and are determined to make season four their best one yet."
Boys Tennis
Coach: Tom Hinds (5th season)
Last season: 2-10
Top returners: Calvin Forbes (Sr.), Jimmy Neff (So.), Jacob Forbes (So.), Gideon Forbes (So.)
Key newcomers: Derek Brotherton (Jr.), Aaron Melgar (Sr.), Sean Ludwig (So.)
Outlook: Cony has seen a great increase in numbers, with 31 boys out this season. Nine of the 12 varsity players from last season are back. The team's only senior, Forbes returns as the Rams No. 1 singles player.
Coach's comment: "Many folks return with varsity experience which with hard work and team play will hopefully result in us being in the playoff hunt."
Girls Tennis
Coach: Carol Patenaude (4th season)
Last season: 7-5, Eastern Class A Quarterfinals
Top returners: Jenny Clark (Sr.), Eryka Wilson (Jr), Tda Kong (Sr.), Katie Worthley (Sr.), Blair Burney (Jr.), Brittany Yorks (Jr.), Emily Carr (Jr.), Ciara Davis (Jr.), Taylor Edmondson (So.), Morgan Saylor (So.)
Key newcomers: Nicole Kirschner (Fr.), Kristen Pietri (So.), Elizabeth Cote (So.), Alli Chase (Fr.), Melanie Guzman (Fr.), MariaMarques (Sr)
Outlook: Burney is the Rams top returning player for a squad that features 31 athletes. Kirschner should make an immediate impact, while Kong and Yorks return at the first doubles spot.
Coach's comment: "Burney has really worked hard to improve her serve and strokes. Physically and mentally, she's strong. Kirschner can hit as well and has a nice stroke."
SOFTBALL
Coach: Rocky Gaslin (5th season)
Last season: 11-5, lost in Eastern A finals
Top returners: P Micah Wilson (Sr.); P Jasmine Trott (Sr.); 3B Chelsea Soule (Sr.); SS Amy Jones (Jr.); C Meghan Cloutier (Sr.); 1B Kayla Belanger (Sr.); 2B Chelsea Arbour (Sr.); CF Suzannah Deves (So.); LF Katherine Bowie (So.); RF Liz Barker (So.).
Top newcomers: P/OF Sarah Nimbs (So.); P/IF Emily Soule (Fr.); C Nicole Rugen (Fr.); IF Allison Cote (So.).
Outlook: The Rams lost only two players from a team that went all the way to the regional finals in 2008. There's plenty of depth at Cony, including a lineup of five pitchers to choose from and four returning all-conference selections, and the unusual pitching platoon of Wilson and Trott. Wilson throws in the 50s, while Trott is a finesse pitcher that keeps batters off-balance.
Coach's comment: "Pitching and defense are our strengths, but this is probably the strongest offensive team we've had in five years. A lot kids can hit and, obvioulsy, play the short game, too."


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