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BY SCOTT MARTIN 04/11/2008

Sports Editor

The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference's Class A division already had two bona fide powerhouses in five-time defending state champion Lewiston and Mt. Ararat. Brunswick has always fielded a pretty tough team as well.

The KVAC got a whole lot tougher with the addition of Bangor, which went undefeated during the regular season and reached the Eastern A regional final last year.

Brewer and Hampden also join the KVAC, and the Class A division has been split into two divisions. Teams playing in the South Division, like Erskine and Gardiner, are now faced with having to play Lewiston, Mt. Ararat and Brunswick twice in the regular season.

"I've got guys with experience, but Eastern Class A is kind of tough with Lewiston, Mt. Ararat and Brunswick," Gardiner coach Rob Disch said.

Because of the split into two divisions, Gardiner will not meet rival Cony in tennis this season.

The Tigers are young, with only one senior competing for a starting spot, but have two talented singles players in junior Dan Paradee and sophomore Brian Jortner.

Cony, meanwhile, graduated Kennebec Journal Boys Tennis Player of the Year Gabe Hinds, and is extremely young. Junior singles player Calvin Forbes is the only player with any real experience on the roster.

Veteran tennis coach Ed Hinckley, who has guided teams at Thomas College, Cony and Waterville in the past, takes over an experienced Messalonskee boys team. Mike Avery, Jamie Mattison and Spencer Churchill return to their singles positions, while Chris Boyce, Joel Palmer, Ross Cote and Peter Markoe are back as doubles players.

Erskine is extremely young. Sophomore Kelin Kruithoff returns and will probably move into the No. 1 singles position.

Skowhegan, meanwhile, lost Morning Sentinel Boys Tennis Player of the Year Giacomo Petrucci, a foreign exchange student from Italy, but has a replacement. Tadeo Salamao is an exchange student from Brazil, who co-coach David Martin thinks could step into the No. 1 singles spot. Justin Enman and Eric Alexman are also back and will battle Salamao for that singles spot.

"Those three have been playing once a week at Champions," Martin said. "Tadeo, to be honest, is probably stronger than (Petrucci). Points end quick with him."

Mt. Blue joins the varsity ranks after a year as a club team. The Cougars had 30 players sign up, including sophomores Matthew St. John, Harris Roberts and Nicholas Wilkins, junior Sam Cohen, and senior captains Keith Barton and Eric Formella, who gained experience playing exhibition matches against KVAC A teams last spring.

In Class B, Waterville has seen some turnover, but returns a pretty veteran group that should be in the mix in the KVAC's Class B division. Mike Jabar returns after playing No. 2 singles last spring and earning Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel second team honors. Charlie Boyle hopes to move up from doubles to singles, where he'll battle with Alex Chasse and Tyler Hastings for a spot.

Winslow joins the Class B ranks this year after four seasons as a club team. Coach David Deas has a strong group of veterans, led by six seniors.

In Class C, Winthrop returns a solid lineup, which includes No. 1 singles player Nick Ochtman, a senior. Last spring, Ochtman went 10-2 helping the Ramblers to a 10-4 record and a berth in the Western C semifinals. Fellow senior Mike Fleischman will play No. 2 singles, while freshman Adam St. Pierre and exchange student Matkamal Kaeupunna of Thailand will battle for the No. 3 singles spot.

"We should be fairly strong," Winthrop coach Lou Gingras said. "A lot will depend on what happens at No. 3."

Gingras also expects Madison to be tough after the Bulldogs finished 8-4 a year ago. Sam Brazier was Madison's No. 2 singles player a year ago and should move to the top spot for the Bulldogs.

At Carrabec, Josh Bishop returns to coach after a year away to concentrate on his studies. Bishop led the Cobras to the playoffs two years ago. This year, the Cobras are young. They are led by senior Jesse Clement.

Hall-Dale could improve on last season's 3-9 record, but will need Mike St. Pierre to be healthy to do so. St. Pierre is recovering from a shoulder injury suffered during the hockey season.

Tyler Hunt takes over as coach at Monmouth and inherits a team that reached the Western C playoffs last spring.

In Maine Association of Independent School's Athletic Directors competition, Kents Hill should be in contention. The Huskies return No. 1 singles player Joe Lindberg, but he'll be challenged for that spot by Sam Hutchinson.

Staff writers Gary Hawkins and Travis Lazarczyk contributed to this report

Scott Martin -- 621-5618

smartin@centralmaine.com

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