Sports

Maranacook High School spirng sports previews
BASEBALL Coach: Don Plourde (8th season) Last season: 12-4 in Class B West Top returners: Cory Palmer (Sr. OF-P), Pat Norwood (Sr., OF), Eric Ogren (Sr., C), David Clough (Jr., INF-P), Jeff Duplisea (Sr., OF). Key newcomers: Zack Snell (Jr., INF), Keegan Ballard (Jr., SS), Greg Goucher (So., 3B), Dakota Duplissie (So., INF), Eben Ballard (Fr., 1B-P), Cameron Guild (Fr., C), Ryan Vanek (Fr., P), Ian Palmer (Fr. OF), Nate Johnson (Fr. INF). Outlook: The Black Bears field one of their youngest, least experienced teams in years and will need to play well to remain among the upper echelon of teams in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference. Palmer, Norwood, Clough and Ogren all started a year ago and form the backbone of the batting order. Although the pitching staff has little experience, Plourde likes their approach to hitters. The defense, although new in spots, is strong up the middle. Coach's comment: "I was pleased with I saw of the pitchers (in preseason). They change speeds real well. They pitch, they dont just throw." Girls track & field Coach: Ronn Gifford Last season: 7th in KVAC B, 21st in Class B Top returners: Taylor Burr (Jr. captain, distance); Alisha Thompson (Jr., sprints), Sarah McFarland (Jr. captain, sprints, hurdles), Maddy Nazar (Soph., sprints, jumps,), Kate Smith (Soph., jumps, throws), Jessica McNear (Soph., sprints, jumps, pole vault), Alexis Cookson (Soph., sprints, javelin) Key newcomers: Harley Graziano (Fr., race walk, hurdles), Heather Thompson (Fr., sprints, long jump), Abby Mace (Fr., distance) Outlook: The Black Bears will have to replace the versatile Eryn Neptune, but Gifford returns a solid core of athletes. Burr had a strong indoor season, in which she competed for Cony. She was seventh in the 1,600 at last seasons Class B state meet as well. McFarland also qualified for the state meet in the hurdles. Coach's comment: "We have a small team, but well be strong with Taylor and Abby. We have some pretty good talent." Boys track & field Coach: Ronn Gifford Last season: 2nd in KVAC B, 4th in Class B Top returners: Chris McCormick (Sr., throws), Taylor Schwartz (Sr. captain, mid-distance), Evan Longfellow (Jr., mid-distance), Henry Norwood (Jr., sprints), Justin Greely (Jr., mid-distance), Harry Lanphear (Soph., throws); Joshua Dugal (Soph., throws), Nolan Poulin (Sr. captain, jumps, mid-distance, hurdles), Evan Vincent (Soph., race walk, distance), Alex Harrinton (Sr., sprints), Luke Wenzell (Soph., mid-distance), Artem Downe (Jr., distance) Key newcomers: Michael LaChance (Sr., mid-distance), Taylor Watson (Fr., sprints), Christian Wick (Fr., pole vault, distance), Breeze Rasmussen (Fr., pole vault, sprints), George Mallon (Fr., sprints, mid-distance) Outlook: The Black Bears graduated several key performers, including Max HoddWells, Cameron Madore, Conrad Gilman and Jacob Knox. However, Vincent is coming off a nice indoor season, in which he was named an All-American in the race walk for his showing in the Nike Indoor Nationals in Boston. The team should be strong in the distance and throwing events as well. Coach's comment: "For a small team, we have good coverage. Well be right there in the mix. We should be competitive." Boys tennis Coach: Mike Morin (9th season) Last season: 4-8, Western Class B preliminaries Top returners: Sam Whittemore (Sr.), Ethan Gilbert (Sr.), Nick Erving (Sr.), Ben Timm (Jr.), Sean Daigle (So.), Jack Kennedy (So.) Key newcomers: Paul Joslyn (Fr.), Jon Varney (Fr.), Matt Surette (Fr.), Sam Bryant (Fr.), Jason LaPorte (Fr.), Carson Mitchell (Fr.), Ben Johnson (Jr.) Outlook: Whittemore and Gilbert will battle for Maranacooks No. 1 singles spot. Erving has picked up the game quickly and will be a solid singles player for the Black Bears. Maranacook has six freshman out this season. Coach's comment: "When you get that many freshmen that are such good athletes, it's promising for the future. I dont know if Ive every had that many freshmen show up." Girls tennis Coach: Dianna Erb (7th season) Last season: 2-10 Top returners: Heather Black (Sr.), Morgan Wick (Sr.), Hannah Watson (Sr.), Courtney Andersen (Jr.), Meghan Surette (Jr.), Megan Heath (Jr.), Hannah Criss (Jr.), Sarah Maffei (Jr.), Christine Ware (Jr.) Key newcomers: Victoria Bayrasy (Sr.), Sophia Bayrasy (Sr.), Sarah Pokorny (Jr.), Emily Guild (Jr.), Kara Witherill (So.), BreAnna Dunbar (Fr.), Emma Olson (Fr.), Isabel Smith (Fr.), Adrienne Nel (Fr.), Sarah Adams (Fr.) Outlook: Maranacook missed the playoffs for the first time in Erbs seven-year tenure last season, but should be back in the hunt this spring. Black returns at No. 1 singles, while Nel and Adams should contribute immediately. Coach's comment: "We'll do the best we can in our conference and try to make it to the playoffs. That's my goal. The numbers are up. Its a great group of girls and they like being there." SOFTBALL Coach: Terry Hickey (4th season) Last season: 17-2, lost in the Western B semis Top returners: P Sarah Maxwell (Jr.); C Heidi Shaw (So.); 3B Katie Dore (So.); 2B Amanda LaPorte (Jr.); SS Lindsay (Jr.); CF Ally Kennedy (Sr.). Top newcomer: 1B/OF Sarah Brooks (So.). Outlook: Maranacook went 15-1 last year but was ousted shy of the regional finals. The team has only one senior but is experienced, returning Maxwell the first MVP in KVAC B history and tremendous strength up the middle defensively. Coach's comment: "We play game by game, inning by inning, pitch by pitch so eventually you can get to the playoffs and then see what happesns. Thats served us well. We play a conservative brand and dont get too fancy. We just try and play solid defense and wear the other team down, let them make the mistakes."


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