HOULTON, Maine — While it may not seem it by looking outside, the official start to the spring sports season is now under way.
The first practices began Monday, March 26, for the spring sports of baseball, softball, track and field and tennis, despite several inches of snow still blanketing the area. That snow has done little to deter the enthusiasm of Houlton’s track and field coach Chris Rines, who has been working with his large group of athletes for the past week.
This year’s program will once again feature student athletes from Houlton, Hodgdon and Greater Houlton Christian Academy training together and competing at meets. The first meet of the new season is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, at noon at Old Town High School.
With no facility to host meets locally, the group will be on the road for the entirety of its spring season. The closest meets will be held at Presque Isle (May 10) and Caribou (May 17 and May 26).
The squad lost several key members to graduation, including Isaiah Brown, Austin Brown, Rylee Warman, Mackenzie Hunt, Hannah Foley and Tim Glatter (who won a state championship in the javelin last season).
Members of the 2018 squad are as follows:
Houlton athletes — Alyssa Abbotoni, Emma Ardell, Isabelle Cosby, Delaney Despres, Emmalyne Drake, Mia Hanning, Tessa Solomon, Lauren Swimm, Thomas Astle, Cameron Callnan, Zach Conley, Justin Cook, Tristan Cosby, Drew Foley, Jacob Forest, Jarret Fournier, Zach Gonya, Matthew Jimenez, Miguel Jimenez, Daniel McNally, Donald Ouellette, Damon Reynolds, Brandon Roshto and Dylan Swimm.
GHCA — Teagan Ewings, Chloe Fekete, Grace Graham, Bridget Hill, Naemi Supper, Joel Carmichael, Wesley Ganglfinger, Isaac Potter, Jeremy Stone and Cole Winslow.
Hodgdon — Jeannelle Ross, Jillian Ross, Joel Bond and Shawn Flemming.
The following are some of the top athletes, whom coach Rines expects big things from this spring.
Hanning (sprints, shot put, long jump) is a senior at Houlton. She is hoping to cap off her final sports season in style. “Mia had a terrific junior year in which she really branched out into the sport,” Rines said. “Though she is strongest in her sprinting, her natural athletic ability translated well into success with shot put and jumping.” Hanning found the podium several times at the County, league, and state championship meets last year.
Bond (long distance, long jump) is a Hodgdon senior. “Joel is coming off a fantastic cross country season this past fall which should carry over well for him this spring,” Rines said. Bond scored several times in regular season meets last season to earn Hodgdon a place in the team standings. “He looks to take on the 3,200 meter and 1,600, but will likely do some 800s as well,” the coach said.
Hill (long distance) is a senior for GHCA. “Bridgett’s junior year saw her transition from the sprints to longer distance races where she scored several points alongside teammates Grace Graham and Teagan Ewings,” Rines said. “The trio boosted the GHCA girls up the team ranks in several meets last season.”
Graham (long distance) is another GCHA senior who is looking for a strong end to her high school athletic career. “Grace had her junior season cut short last year while dealing with a nagging lower leg injury, but after a strong cross country season this past fall, she looks to hit the track hard this season,” Rines said.
Ewings (400, long distance) is a sophomore at GHCA. “Teagan’s freshman year showed a lot of promise for the start of her track career,” the coach said. “She qualified for states and went well under a six-minute mile at the state meet to earn her a spot on the podium and GHCA a place in the standings. Though she excelled in the distance events she was not afraid to drop down to the 400m range.”
Ganglfinger (long distance) is a GHCA senior, who returns this season as the only four-year track athlete out of any of the schools who participate. “Wes has improved every year he has participated, and last year qualified for the state championship where he ran under 5 minutes in the mile.
Winslow (jumping, hurdles, long distance) is a junior at GHCA who earned his first state championship spot last season with his performance in the 100 hurdles. “Cole looks to continue improving in the discipline and add the 300 hurdles to his agenda this season,” the coach said.
McNally (sprints, javelin) is a Houlton senior who had a successful junior campaign in throwing events for the Shires. “Daniel came to us for his first year as a junior and did exceptionally well with the sprinting events and was a valuable member on our relay teams,” Rines said. “He has some big throws in the javelin as well and we look forward to seeing where else we can use his talents this season.”
Swimm (throwing events) is a Houlton senior back for his third year with the team. “Dylan will be a key factor for points coming in from all three throwing events,” the coach said. “He participates in all three events (shot put, javelin and discus) and has done very well for himself the last few seasons.”
Forest (throwing events) is another Houlton senior, who could lead the team in throwing events this year. “Jacob has very great potential this season to be our top performer in the javelin and possibly discus,” the coach said. “His efforts of previous seasons have grown each year and have paid off.”
Reynolds (throws), a Houlton senior, returns to track this spring. A key member of the Shire football team for the past four years, Reynolds will likely be a leader in the shot put. “We have high expectations for the third year participant as he enters his senior year,” Rines said.
Astle (sprints), a Houlton sophomore, is one of the younger members of the track team this year, but still brings experience. “Thomas was a surprise on the track last year as he zipped past us in each of the sprinting events,” Rines said. “As a freshman, he consistently scored in the 400 and qualified for the PVC championships. He was also part of our 4×100 relay team.”
The manager is Gabby Guiod. Assisting Rines with the team this year are William Janakis, Alissa Beals and Francis Frederick.
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- Tessa Solomon of Houlton works on her javelin form during Monday afternoon’s practice at Houlton Middle-High School. (Joseph Cyr)
