Contests have begun for all of Sanford High School’s fall sports teams and fans are eager to learn what to expect for the upcoming seasons. We’ve reached out to each varsity coach for each team’s goals, expectations, and challenges for the upcoming season.
If you aren’t already, be sure to follow us at @Spartan.Times and @Sanford_Athletics on Instagram to stay up-to-date on game days, highlights and results!
CROSS COUNTRY (XC)
HEAD COACH: Nate SMITH
Coach Nate Smith returns for his fifteenth season as the head coach of the boys and girls cross county teams.
How did your 2022 season go?
The boys finished 14th out of 17 teams and the girls didn’t have a scoring team, however, Sophie Therrien ran at the regional meet finishing in the top half of the race.
Who are the top returners, and/or newcomers this season you are excited about?
Tops returners include Caleb Pelletier, Aidan Gagnon (captain) and Gregg Waterman (captain) on the boys’ side. The boys are incredibly boosted by freshman Isaac Pelletier and sophomore Gabe Waterman.
Top returners for the girls include captains Sophie Therrien and Caitlin Hanselmann. Freshman Eliza Allen has been running phenomenally.
We will have two dual sport athletes for some meets with Addy Fiandaca and Annalise Stimmel running both cross country and playing soccer.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
The boys have a strong front-three runner and can be carried into the state meet if we close the gap between them and our 4 and 5 runners. The girls are making strong improvements and will make a big impact at the regional meet.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I’m excited that our numbers are growing and we are going to be building more and more for the future. We have a team that will make drastic improvements from the beginning of the season to the end.
You can follow @sanfordspartanxc on Instagram.
FIELD HOCKEY
HEAD COACH: MARTHA “MARTI” KANE
Coach Marti Kane enters her second season at the helm of the Field Hockey program.
How did your 2022 season go?
Our season record was 5-9-1. We made the playoffs, but lost to Gorham in the preliminary round.
Who are the top returners, and/or newcomers this season you are excited about?
Our top returners are also our four captains, who include senior forward Lili Lam, senior midfielder Hannah Mueller, junior midfielder Audrey Payeur, and junior defender Sadie Sevigny. Exciting newcomers include freshmen Zoey McCann and Paige Sevigny.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
The field hockey Spartans are looking to break into the top 5 of the SMAA. There are a few strong teams at the top of the league right now, and we’re looking to challenge this group. We had a lot of players build a strong skill foundation during the summer, and we’re looking forward to pitting those skills together as a group to take the next step in bringing the program to the next level.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
We have an exciting mix of young and experienced players that are getting better every day. This team is fun to watch, and should see plenty of wins this year.
You can follow @sanford_fieldhockey on Instagram.
FOOTBALL
HEAD COACH: MIKE FALLON
Coach Fallon continues his legendary tenure – 28 years – at the helm of Sanford Varsity Football, but 35 years with the overall program.
How did your 2022 season go?
Last season we went 6-5 and unfortunately lost in the semi-finals.
Who are the top returners, and/or newcomers this season you are excited about?
Top returners include Jordan Bissonnette (captain), Tucker Walker (captain), Makai Bougie, Zach Pitman, Jared Riley (captain), Carter Buswell, Carter Mills, Cam Suhy, Canton Hill, Lucas Gendreau, Rylen Avery, PJ White, Nick Farrington (captain), Scott Robitaille, Tanner McCann (captain), and Jack Sevigny.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
Our team goals are high. We returned several key players from a solid team last year and the attitude and work ethic of our team are very good. We want to still be playing well into November!!
What are you most looking forward to this season?
It’s a great group of kids to work with. They play football like they love it!
GOLF
HEAD COACH: Rossie Kearson
Coach Kearson returns for his ninth season with the Spartans, continuing to grow the love for the sport and the skills – and patience – that come with it.
How did your 2022 season go?
Our record was 2 – 10. We showed progress in every match but played some really good competition. Unfortunately, we didn’t have anyone qualify for the state qualifier.
Who are the top returners, and/or newcomers this season you are excited about?
Top returners are captain Zachary Parison, Ayden Lockard, and Brayden Baron.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
My goal is to have a couple of my players break 100 at the state qualifier this season.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I am looking forward to watching the kids compete this season. Golf is an easy sport but it’s hard to play!
BOYS SOCCER
HEAD COACH: BILL PUFFER
Coach Puffer enters his second season as varsity coach but has significant coaching experience on his resume.
How did your 2022 season go?
Last season we went 2-11-1 and unfortunately that was not good enough to make the playoffs; it was a formative and transitional year.
Who are the top returners, and/or newcomers this season you are excited about?
Captains this year are Landon Gosling, Beckett Barlow, and Collin Carpenter. Our top returners, in addition to the captains, are Richie Simpson, Cole Adawadkar, Gavin Hebler, and Levi Mann. Exciting newcomers include Isiah Cole and Cam Provencher.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
Short term would be to exceed our wins total from last year and to make the playoffs. Challenges that may arise is developing and maintaining a winning attitude and heart.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
Most looking forward to the boys experience of having a “winning season” and being able to share that with them. Would love to have the staff and student body come out and support at our home games.
GIRLS SOCCER
HEAD COACH: ELLIE AGRESTE
Coach Agreste enters her sixth season as head coach of the varsity girls soccer team. With nearly a full starting roster of returners, the team is showing strong skill and experience.
How did your 2022 season go?
We ended the season 7-5-2 and earned a home playoff game, but lost in the first round to a talented Portland team.
Who are the top returners, and/or newcomers this season you are excited about?
Top returners include senior captains Hailey Tarbox and Ailey Mann. Hailey was our leading assister and Ailey was our top scorer. I am excited to see our goal keeper Sophie Olivo in net. She has worked hard in the off-season and it shows.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
Goals for this season are to work hard as a team and to enjoy the outcomes of hard work. This roster is filled with competitively-minded girls. I hope we can continue to reach the next level and set the bar high. The SMAA for girls soccer is competitive from top to bottom.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I am most looking forward to coaching a stellar group of student-athletes. They represent our school and community on and off the field. They run the little kickers program, have raised money for great causes, and have amazing school spirit. Overall, I feel lucky to be their coach.
VOLLEYBALL
HEAD COACH: KEVIN HILL
This is Coach Hill’s first season as head coach for the Spartans, but is familiar to the program having assisted and coached JV for the prgoram.
How did the 2022 season go?
We finished with a 12 – 6 record and were State Semi-Finalists. We lost in Semi-Finals to State Champions, Biddeford.
Who are the top returners, and/or newcomers this season you are excited about?
Captains Alexandra Payeur, Samone Gallagher, and Mariana Martin all offer strong leadership and skill for the team. Returning sophomores Claire O’dette, Ellery Genest, Gabriella Favolise, and Leah Soucy all strongly improved and are stepping into bigger roles this year. With the addition of newcomers Ashley Elias, Keira Kilkenny, Bri Ducharme, Olivia Farrington, and Rylie Rocray, our team has become extremely well-rounded.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
Injury has been a challenge for us to start off our season. We have experienced multiple injuries early on which is believed to have impacted our team’s dynamic. In terms of team dynamic, our goals are to continue to work towards strong communication, overall teamwork, and strong mindsets through any rough patches.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
We have aspirations to return to the state tournament this year with a playoff appearance. Being that we are in the state final four for class A last season, we want to reach that same standing once again.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
This season I am most looking forward to watching our program blossom. We are a very young program and have limitless potential. I am very excited to continue to working with the youth of Sanford to spread one of my greatest passions. With the introduction of our middle school-level programs and opportunities, our numbers have grown immensely since our inaugural season.
Editor’s note: We will wait to preview cheerleading for their competition season!
The Spartan Times 