Winter programs are gearing up for the 2025-2026 season
BY MOLLIE PUFFER
Sanford High School’s winter sports season has begun and there is a lot to get excited about. We’ve reached out to each varsity coach on their team’s goals, expectations, and challenges for the upcoming season.
If you aren’t already, be sure to follow @Sanford_Athletics on Instagram to stay up-to-date on game days, highlights and results!
BOYS BASKETBALL
HEAD COACH: John Morgan
Coach John Morgan was the head coach at Noble High School for the past three years. He is entering his first year as head coach at Sanford High School.
What can Sanford expect from you as a new coach
Sanford can expect me to bring positive energy and strong accountability to the players I coach. My goal is to impact their lives both on and off the court and be someone they can rely on and trust.
Who are the top returners and/or newcomers you are excited about?
Our top returners this season are Dylan Gendron, Luke Gendron, Ryan Alexander, Carter Giroux, and Bryce Adams. I’m also very excited to see the roles that Cayden Gendron and Gavin Hebler take on. Their teammates love them, and they bring a real dog mentality to everything we do.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
My expectation is for us to improve each week and be playing our best basketball in February. One of my main goals is to finish in the top four and either earn a first-round bye or host a home playoff game. My non Xs and O’s goal for this season is for these kids to have a valuable experience that they can learn from and take with them far after they graduate. The biggest challenge I anticipate is handling the highs and lows of the season. Elite teams stay steady and focused, and I hope to keep our group locked in on the marathon, not the sprint.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I’m looking forward to being around this great group of guys and putting them in the best position to succeed. They’re unselfish, hardworking, and willing to do whatever it takes to win—what more could a coach ask for? And as a Sanford alum, I take tremendous pride in wearing the red and white on the sidelines and representing the community I grew up in.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
HEAD COACH: Rossie LONTINE-Kearson
Coach Kearson enters his ninth season as the varsity girls basketball coach.
How did your 2024-25 season go? What was your record?
Last season, the Sanford girls lost to the Gorham Rams in the quarter finals in Portland. They finished the regular season with a 15-3 record.
Who are the top returners and/or newcomers you are excited about?
“We have a solid core of returners, Ava Hudson, Annie Stimmell, Paige Sevigny and Mollie Puffer. We are looking to get some significant contributions from Ella Tederous, Jaslinn Johnson, Lyla Fiandaca & Zoey McCann. Our three freshmen who will gain some experience are Rihanna Provencher, Peyton White, and Miranda Payeur,” said head coach Rossie Kearson.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
“The goal is always to get to Portland and go farther than the year before. What will always be helpful is getting that consistent support from our fans, specifically at our home games. So come out and enjoy some good basketball! GO SPARTANS!!” Said head Coach Rossie Kearson.
You can follow the @Spartan_Girls_Basketball team on Instagram.
COMPETITION CHEER
HEAD COACH: CATRINA WADE
Coach Woodard enters her third year as head coach for the competition season.
How did your 2024-25 season go? What was your record?
Our 24/25 season was a season I won’t forget. We had more girls competing on the mat, hitting stunt skills at competition that our program had never attempted before, and also faced illnesses, such as the flu and mono, that made practices difficult, but the team persevered. We finished 3rd at SMAA’s, 2nd at the Snowflake Showdown, 5th at Regionals, 10th at States, and 2nd at Cheers from the Heart.
Who are the top returners and/or newcomers you are excited about?
Top returners would be my athletes that have the experience of being on the mat and competing for SHS in previous winter seasons. That experience is something you can’t beat or train for. I am excited to see the new freshmen who are coming out to tryouts to see what skills they may have.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
My goal is always to hit the routine at every competition and make it to States. I know the number of tumblers is dwindling, which is going to be a challenge we will have to face. It will require us to push ourselves in every other aspect to make up for our lack of tumbling.
What are you most looking forward to this season
I am looking forward to the competitions and watching the team perform! I love watching them hit their routines and the excitement and celebrations they share after. It is a real bonding experience for the team and me.
You can follow @SanfordVarsityCheer on Instagram.
INDOOR TRACK
HEAD COACH: Ethan Shain
Ethan Shain enters his first year as Sanford’s Indoor Track head coach
What can Sanford expect from you as a new dead coach?
Sanford can expect a new look as a new coach. I bring more of a hands-on environment to my specialty events, in hopes of teaching the kids all the valuable lessons I gained in high school and college. Even in the events that I struggle with, I will bring a sense of urgency to understand and comprehend the training that goes beyond those events to help better every kid in the program.
Who are the top returners and/or newcomers you are excited about?
While I am still learning the kids’ names and everyone’s events, some names have popped up numerous times. Coming off a great XC season, just competed at New Englands, is Isaac Pelletier. He brings a fresh look for us going forward, and I hope he continues to challenge me in those areas, as I will challenge him. Another XC runner I am excited about is Michael Masstracio. Just like Isaac, he will continue to push me in the right direction to help them become better athletes. One more athlete’s name that has popped up quite a bit is Lily Peters. Coming off of a great freshman season, I am very excited to work with her in the sprints area to help bring more speed into her approaches. The last athlete that I have gotten to know and am excited for is Mattea Peters. Coming off a 2nd place finish in the 400 this last outdoor season, I am very excited to work with her in my specialty events and help her grow and emerge into the athlete I know she can be. Even though I specifically named 4 athletes, I am truly excited to work with every single athlete in the program. As I said, I am still learning names and who each individual is. As the season moves along, new athletes will emerge and take the next step, and I will do my best to ensure that they are successful in every facet.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
My biggest goal is improvement. I am not here to fully reinvent the wheel. My goal is to add my spin to the current growing track and field program here at Sanford High School. Even as I say that, my expectations are high, not just for myself, but for the team. We have a lot of athletes who can take the next step with the right guidance. As a first-year coach, I’m sure you could think of a plethora of challenges we could run into, like a lack of experience on the coaching side. However, we have many very experienced coaches who have been in this program, who will not only complement me but help me grow into the coach that I want to be. Hopefully, we can find the right combination to help make this happen.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
Honestly, I’m most looking forward to coaching the kids and passing on the things I learned in college—as well as everything I’ve taught myself along the way. My experience at USM had a huge impact on me as an athlete and a person, and it will absolutely shape the way I coach. I improved so much during my time there, and I genuinely enjoyed the process, so I’m excited to bring that same energy to this team. I’m also really looking forward to applying different drills, ideas, and training concepts. Taking what worked for me, adapting it for high-school athletes, and helping them grow is something I’m genuinely excited about this season.
WRESTLING
HEAD COACH: Nate Smith
Coach Smith enters his 16th year as head coach. The Spartans hope to continue their success at both the regional and state-level competitions.
How did your 2024-25 season go?
The 24-25 season went well despite many injuries and setbacks. We finished with 15-5 record and qualified for the Dual State Championships. The team placed 5th at the Class A State Championships
Who are the top returners and/or newcomers you are excited about?
Jack Van Gieson, Connor Pickering, and Gabe Roberge come back with top seeds in the region and state. Jordyn Theroux and Cole Lebel will be captains as well. Ryder Lachance comes back as an all-state wrestler after a year off. Gabe Phillips will be a force to reckon with as a freshman in our lineup.
What are your goals and expectations for this season? Any challenges you anticipate?
After graduating many seasoned veterans, the team will be looking at our new leadership to bring us to the same level of expectations at the state level. We should be able to finish strong and be one of the top teams in the region and state again.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I’m looking forward to our captains leading this team into a new era for our team.
You can follow the wrestling team on Instagram and Facebook.
The Spartan Times 