Monmouth Academy Fall Sports Preview
Girls Cross Country
Coach: Rick Amero (14th season), Tom Menendez (7th season)
Last season: MVC Champions, 3rd in Western C, 3rd in Class C
Top returners: Kerstin Grenier (Sr.), Devon Ayer (Jr.), Maija Robbins (Jr.), Abby Szotkowski (Jr.), Vanessa Sirois (Sr.), Stephanie Spencer (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Andrea Boucher (Sr.), Amanda Bouchard (Jr.), Audessy Chasse (Jr.), Heather Duquette (Jr.), Chelsey St. Michel (Jr.), Amanda Blundon (Fr.), Mackenzie Kelley (Fr.), Kelsey Van Vlack (Fr.)
Outlook: Monmouth will try to make it seven straight MVC championships against solid competition from Hall-Dale and Madison. Grenier is one of the top runners in Class C, having finished eighth in the Class C championship last fall. Freeman was a strong finisher for the Mustangs last season. The MVC champs return five of their top seven runners.
Coach's comment: "Our biggest challenges are developing our confidence and finding people to step up to a higher level to fill roles."
Boys Cross Country
Coach: Rick Amero (14th season), Tom Menendez (7th season)
Last season: 3rd in MVC, 4th in Western C, 4th in Class C
Top returners: Chris Allen (Sr.), Mike Allen (Sr.), David Manduca (Sr.), Bradley Pinette (Sr.), Elliot Kahl (Jr.), Matt McCollett (Sr.), Mike McCollett (Sr.), Patrick Riley (Jr.), Kevin Desmond (So.), Tyler Guzman (So.), Patrick McInnis (So.)
Key newcomers: Clayton Merrill (Sr.), Matt Bryant (Fr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs had a very solid season a year ago, finishing fourth in Class C behind Matt McCollett (10th in Class C), Desmond (20th), Mike McCollett (36th) and McInnis (37th). Monmouth returns its top seven runners from last season's team which finished fourth in Class C.
Coach's comment: "What will determine this team's success is how hard each guy will willing to work day in and day out."
Boys soccer
Coach: Drew Riddle (1st season)
Last season: 4-9-1 in Class C West
Top returners: MF Nate Bosworth (Jr.), MF Corey Dyke (Jr.), D Allen Thomas (Jr.), MF Jeremy Ashlock (So.), G Seth Musich (So.), D Alex Pinette (So.)
Key newcomers: D Justin Fortier (Jr.), Eric Coulombe (So.), F/MF Ben Woodman (Fr.), D Jacob Dumont (Fr.), D Kyle Brown (Fr.), F Matt McInnis (Fr.), Matt Roy (Fr.), MF Nick Trenholm (Fr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs are battling a low turnout and can't afford any injuries. To compound matters, the team is young and inexperienced without a senior on the squad. Riddle comes to the program after spending three years as head coach of the Gardiner girls team.
Coach's comment: "We're a very young team. It's definitely a building year."
Girls soccer
Coach: Gary Trafton (2nd season)
Last season: 7-5-2 in Class C West
Top returners: F Jesse Gray (Sr.), MF Bethany Neal (Sr.), MF Suzi Chick (Jr.), F Courtney McFerren (Jr.), D Erika Ducharme (Sr.), D Katy Wiederhorn (So.),
Key newcomers: D Hope Paquette-Cohen (Fr.), F Emily Benoit (Fr.), G Kelsie Hilton (So.), F Ashley Ridley (So.)
Outlook: The Mustangs are young with just five juniors and seniors combined on a squad of 25 players. Coach Trafton said his greatest obstacle is getting his team to play with passion for 80 minutes. Gray, Neal and Chick will be looked to for leadership and to set a competitive example.
Coach's comment: "We're very young. There's a lot of fundamental stuff we have to go over."
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