WHS seniors Ledbetter, Trainor sign letters of intent

By Matt Pascarella 

 

(L to R) Windham senior Neve Ledbetter, center seated, with parents Nikki, Don, brother Will, back right, and grandmother June Williams after Neve Ledbetter signs her letter of intent at Windham High School on Friday, Nov. 14. Neve Ledbetter will attend Southern New Hampshire University to major in neuroscience and play lacrosse. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA Windham senior Abby Trainor, center, with parents Shannon and Jeremy and sister Addison after Abby Trainor signs her letter of intent at Windham High School on Friday, Nov. 14. Abby Trainor will attend Fairfield University in Connecticut to major in business and play lacrosse. PHOTO BY MARLEY JARVAIS

Windham seniors Neve Ledbetter and Abby Trainor have been inspiring each other on and off the lacrosse field their entire athletic careers. They became friends in eighth grade and have been succeeding ever since. They each signed their letters of intent at Windham High School on Friday, Nov. 14. Ledbetter will be attending Southern New Hampshire University to major in neuroscience and Trainor will be attending Fairfield University in Connecticut to major in business; both will play lacrosse.

“We knew right off the bat (as freshmen) with their work ethic what we had coming,” said Windham varsity girls’ lacrosse coach Matt Perkins about Ledbetter and Trainor. “What we didn’t know is in their sophomore years, we had some leaders who kind of struggled with (leading) and these two started to spearhead that leadership and their peers jumped onboard and helped them. They proved to us and each other anything is possible if you want to work your tail off. Last year, they elevated the program, they elevated the team, and the team really took care of each other and every kid felt like they were important. We’ve got one more season to go and I am very honored to be a part of it.”

Neve Ledbetter
Ledbetter started playing lacrosse in eighth grade and found it was a really good fit for her. This is when she met Trainor. The two played club lacrosse all through high school and Ledbetter continued playing because of Trainor’s encouragement.

When Ledbetter stepped on to Southern New Hampshire University she felt a real ‘at home’ vibe. The campus made her feel welcome and wanted. 

It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders to finally sign her letter of intent. It made her think of all her past accomplishments and felt really good to sign alongside Trainor.

“Abby has been my ‘ride or die’ since middle school,” said Ledbetter. “She’s been someone I look up to and has been a huge leader to me throughout my lacrosse seasons. (Windham varsity lacrosse) paved a huge path ... they taught me how to be the person and player I am today. I wouldn’t be here without them, and my teammates especially have been super helpful.”

Ledbetter received the All-Academic Team award for maintaining a GPA of at least 3.5 for six semesters. She’s received the Dr. Richard Costello Memorial Award, based on leadership skills and captain characteristics.

She would like to thank Trainor, Perkins, Vanessa Ludka, Rusty Babb and Lauren Kane from Maineiax Lacrosse as well as her friends, family and varsity girls’ soccer coach Deb Lebel.

Abby Trainor
As soon as Trainor stepped onto the Fairfield University campus, it felt very welcoming. She thought the campus was full of life and very innovative. 

She’s been committed to Fairfield University for a while, so finally signing felt awesome. For her to get to sign with Ledbetter was an even better feeling because of their friendship. 

According to Trainor, it was important the two sign together to show each other that each of them had to rely on each other to get to this spot.

Trainor started playing lacrosse around kindergarten or first grade through Windham Youth Lacrosse. She played from third grade to the eighth grade in the youth program. She’s always loved the sport.

“All my teammates really push me every time I come into a new season,” said Trainor. “I became so much better (in high school) because of the coaches bringing me new plays and with the team being so heavy on offense and defense it helped me play at a higher level.”

Off the field, Trainor is part of the Spanish Honor Society and has participated in food drive donations and has given her time to reading to primary school students.

She would like to thank Coach Perkins, Babb and Ludka, as well as Ledbetter, Kane and her family. <

Windham’s Card leads team to All-Star Flag Football win

Windham junior Kiley Card showing off her ring
and team trophy after her All-Star team
won the Maine Girls Flag Football All-Star game.
PHOTO BY CINDY RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHY

By Matt Pascarella 

 Windham junior Kiley Card has been playing flag football for six years. She originally wanted to play tackle football, but a girls’ team wasn’t available, so she joined the Maine Girls Flag Football league. She was selected to play on the All-Star team, and her team won the All-Star game at Deering High School in Portland on Saturday, Nov. 1, with a score of 27-21.

“I love the adrenaline rush from flag football,” said Card. “There’s constant pressure on you as a quarterback. I also like playing safety on defense and hearing the crowd get so excited when I intercept the ball. The friends that I’ve made from playing in this league is the best part of it all. It feels good to win altogether, as a team. They are a big part of what keeps me coming back. They make it fun.”

In 2020 the Maine Girls Flag Football league was formed. In the fall of 2022, they had 14 teams. They currently have over 160 girls spread over three divisions: elementary, middle and high school. 

The All-Star teams are a combination of girls selected from various teams from the regular season. 

Coaches vote to nominate players; two teams are created per division. The All-Stars play a championship game putting the best of the league head-to-head. 

“I drafted Kiley the year she became a freshman as I am a high school division coach,” said Card’s regular season Maine Girls Flag Football coach Ryan Campbell. “I got very lucky in the draft because the year prior, Kiley was the MVP of the middle school division. Kiley is one of the best players on the field as she can play all positions and at the highest caliber. She is a wonderful teammate and really bonds and connects with everyone around her. Kiley is the field general. She not only has to perform the play that I call into her but has to ensure her teammates are in their spots and ready and has to pull off the play successfully. Her natural athletic skills mixed with tenacity to win is the perfect combination.”

Card’s team was down at the half but fought their way back and tied the game with three minutes left. Card executed a flawless drive to put her team ahead and get the ‘W.’

“In my brief time, one-week period with her, she’s a strong competitor. Selfless teammate and has all of the tools to be a very good quarterback; very polished footwork and throwing mechanics,” said All-Star coach Andrew Fischer.

Card is also a star softball and basketball player and has been throwing a ball her entire life. Flag football gave her the confidence to go out and become a quarterback. 

“I can read where the football is headed and intercept the play because I have experience tracking pop flies,” said Card. “In basketball, which I’ve been playing since the age of 5, I read the offense’s body language and watch their eyes so that I’m able to steal the ball, in the same way that I watch a quarterback when I’m on defense playing football.”

Card would like to play flag football next year and continuing playing in college.

“I was proud of myself,” said Card. “Getting a championship ring is something that I’ve wanted for years.” <

Windham varsity boys’ basketball gear up for another high-energy, championship season

Senior Tyrie James slam dunks the ball.
The regular season begins Friday, Dec. 5.
PHOTOs BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

A lot of the players trying out for the Windham varsity boys’ basketball team began preparing for the 2025-2026 season since before the fall season began. Windham has made themselves well-known as they’ve won back-to-back state champions in 2024 and 2025, and this naturally makes them a bit of a target with the regular season approaching. However, Windham is well aware of the hard work it takes to accomplish what they have previously and are more than up to the challenge. The team you see step onto the court during the regular season is different from the team that won the gold ball in March. Some of the same players are returning, but this new team is here to carve their own path, not defend an existing one.
“Every year is a brand new group, a brand new identity, and a brand new climb,” said Windham varsity boys’ basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “What we did before doesn’t guarantee anything now. “It just reminds us to stay humble, stay hungry, and focus on the day in front of us. We’re attacking this season the same way we always have with work ethic, togetherness, and a growth mindset.”

Expectations will always be there when a team has had a lot of success, but that credit goes to the players who came before this team. The goal for this team is to try to be the best version of themselves they can possibly be. 

This year’s motto is ‘entitled to nothing.’ It’s a clean slate for every team at the start of this new season. Success comes from daily habits, not banners on the wall. Tough competition is not new in Class A South; it forces Windham to stay sharp and continue to grow.

In the offseason, the coaches of Windham varsity boys’ basketball challenge themselves just as much as they challenge their players. Pulkkinen and his assistant coaches George McCrillis, Geoff Grigsby, Noah Estey and Chris Sargent reflect as a staff on what worked and what didn’t last season. They provide honest feedback, and each try to improve individually before they start building a plan for the group they have coming in.

As coaches, they believe they have to model the expectations they ask of their players; they can’t just talk about growth and improvement, they need to work toward it. Every coach on this team wants to be better than they were a year ago.

“Our job is to be ready to give this team the best coaching we’ve ever given,” said Pulkkinen.
The team graduated eight seniors last year, so there are some spots to fill in the upcoming season. Seven high-quality players will return and, in that returns a group with a lot of experience and character.
While the roster will be different, the strength of the team is their mindset, maturity and the standards these returning players bring. They understand the work and the culture and are ready to prove themselves. Juniors Landon Wyman and Luke Drottar, and sophomores Sean Lebel and Boston Krainis are all returning; they have been in the varsity environment, learned what it takes and are ready for their turn. The time is now for them to make their impact.

Seniors AJ Moody and Tyrie James will be leaders on the court once again, just like they have been in previous seasons, along with junior Colin Janvrin, who played a major role in the success of last year. 
“We just want to be together and as close as we can because we can be nothing without the (underclassmen),” said Moody. “The guys under us bring us up ... we’re relying on them how they’re relying on us. We just want to become a family and build our chemistry as soon as we can. No easy games in our league. Taking it one-day-at-a-time, trying to better ourselves; every day we’re going to get better and better; every team will not be taken lightly.”

James said as seniors and captains their job is to motivate underclassmen and have them give their all. The team has been bonding and spending time together on and off the court to strengthen that bond.
Janvrin said there are going to be some tough games ahead, but they’ve got to battle through that adversity.

While they’d like to earn a third consecutive state championship win, it’s more important to prepare themselves to improve as the season progresses.

“Every program wants to win championships, but we don’t start the season talking about trophies, we talk about habits,” said Pulkkinen. “If our habits are championship-level, the results will take care of themselves.”

The regular season begins on Friday, Dec. 5 at Thornton Academy in Saco at 7:30 p.m. The first home game will be ‘Pat Moody Night’ and is on Tuesday, Dec. 9 against Sanford at 7 p.m. <

Windham's Fothergill gives back to a sport he loves

By Matt Pascarella 

Windham resident, Bonny Eagle graduate
and under-14 Maine Evolution Hockey assistant
coach Bobby Fothergill cheering on
his team during a game against the Midcoast
Polar Bears at the Colisee in Lewiston
on Saturday, Nov. 8.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Windham resident, former Trail Blazer hockey player and 2022 Bonny Eagle graduate Bobby Fothergill has stayed involved with hockey through coaching. He currently is an assistant coach for the under-14 Maine Evolution hockey team. He has also entered the workforce in a family-run company in the electrical trade. He’s going to Maine Electrical Institute to become a certified electrician.

 

“My last year of 18U Hockey I took the time to really understand everything about the game as much as I could,” said Fothergill. “After that season I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do as I had opportunities to play at other places, but I was lucky enough to be asked to help coach the program I grew up playing for and that made my decision clear as I wanted to help and stay closer to home and be involved in the game of hockey.”

 

The electrical trade was something that had piqued Fothergill’s interest more than college. Fothergill wanted to be able to learn how to grow a business while learning more about leadership and becoming someone that people can look up to. His dad offered him a job and Fothergill felt something his family was based around was what he wanted to do.

 

By the time Fothergill was nearing the end of his under-18 hockey season, he felt like he had coaching capabilities because he was a good listener, open and wanted to learn more about the game as he got older. He still plays in men’s leagues and tournaments here and there.

“He’s been great, and it’s been huge for the kids having someone that they know and can look up to,” said Maine Evolution under-14 head coach Dave Grant, who used to coach Fothergill in the under-18 league. “Bobby hops right in the drills with them, skates with them, competes with them hard. It’s great to have him because he’s obviously got knowledge from a player’s perspective, but it’s awesome for the kids to have him around the bench. It’s a coach’s dream to have a kid that you coached ... to now be on the bench with you. It’s one of the better things that I’ve experienced; it’s a highlight to see the next generation of coaches coming up.”

Grant said Fothergill is still a very good player and challenges his players; he was where they were five or six years ago. Fothergill brings great energy to the practices, and he can tell he is having fun.

In addition to coaching, every season the team teaches kids how to skate, and Fothergill attends those to encourage them by teaching the basics of the game.

“He’s taught me where I need to be in my certain position and what I need to be to stop the puck from entering the zone,” said Maine Evolution Windham freshman Cooper Fournelle. “He’s good as a coach, I feel like I’ve improved and we’ve chatted a couple times about what I should do with the puck. Overall, I think he’s helped me a lot.”

When Fothergill reflects on his athletic career, hockey has played a major part in teaching him how to become a leader and a better all-around person. He’s been able to use the knowledge given to him throughout his time as a player to teach others what it takes to become not only a good hockey player but a good person.

 

When playing for the Trail Blazers he learned to work hard, have fun and not to let anyone push you out of the saddle. The team also taught him how to strive to maximize his potential on and off the ice.

 

His advice for any current players who want to consider coaching after high school is opportunities come from so many places that there is no right or wrong choice. Being involved in sports at any age brings community and togetherness as well as being a great place to learn, teach and have fun.

Youth Cheerleading program ends season with showcase

By Matt Pascarella

(L to R) Windham Youth Cheerleading flyers
Ava Laney, left, Morgan Bell, Valentina Grazoc,
Harper Daigle and Charlee Prokey from
the sixth to eighth grade team at WYC’s showcase
at Windham High School on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
PHOTO BY GIANNA LANE

Windham Youth Cheerleading program has been a sideline program for kindergarten through eighth grade for the last 10 years. They cheer for the Windham Youth Football program from flag to tackle. The 10-week program has grown exponentially over the last three years, totaling over 100 athletes. At the end of the WYC season, the teams put on a showcase to highlight all their hard work. The showcase is not scored and is about providing encouragement, celebration and having fun.

“I think that our program has grown so much in the last several years because there has never been a robust sideline cheering program for young athletes,” said assistant sixth grade to eighth grade coach Stacy Davis. “In years past, some athletes were only exposed to cheer once they entered high school. Many believe that they need to commit to competition cheer ... our program allows for a different form of cheer that may suit other families. We also try very hard to make this program financially accessible. We have the ability to provide financial scholarship to athletes should this be needed, as we never want the financial burden to affect participation.”

The program is considered a feeder program for the high school, so the job of coaches at WYC is to make sure the girls are aware of any new cheers the high school is using. WYC works closely with the high school cheering squad that serves as a role model to the younger group. The coaches start the younger groups out with the basics and progress up to more complex skills for the older kids.

This year’s showcase featured five teams, all grouped by grade, and they show friends and family their routines which include cheers, jumps, stunts and tumbling.

Participants of WYC begin cheering on the field in kindergarten. It’s fun for individuals to cheer on friends and classmates.

Eighth grader Rosie Dumont has been participating in WYC since she was in first grade. She was a dancer and loved uniforms, pompoms and the sass of cheerleading. She always loved being on stage, doing routines.

“Having great coaches that push me to try things that are hard for me or that I don't have confidence in yet (have made me a better cheerleader),” said Dumont. “This program builds strength and confidence and gives you happiness after you complete a routine. It teaches you that you have to work hard to achieve your goals; cheering is a very competitive and difficult sport. Having good teammates and coaches makes a huge difference. If an athlete wants to do cheerleading, they should because it's a rewarding sport.”

Dumont loves participating in the showcase every year. She said it went really well this year. Her stunt groups hit every stunt nicely. Dumont said performing in the showcase is awesome because you see all of the different age levels perform, and you get to reflect on your own progress. Dumont plans to cheer in high school and wants to see how far her potential can go.

Third grader Bristol Grondin started cheerleading through WYC when she was in kindergarten but took a couple years off because she felt she wasn’t ready. She really wanted to join WYC because she saw her sister, who is also involved in the program in a cheer competition last year; seeing her sister in the competition made Grondin want to join back up and be just like one of them.

“I was happy with what we did,” said Grondin about this year’s showcase. “I think my team did an awesome job cheering for the other teams and showcase. I was excited to see how good we did. I also enjoyed to see all our families there to cheer us on. My favorite thing about Windham Youth Cheerleading is I really like the stunts, dances, and I like to show off what I have learned. I ended up learning my front walk over. I’m very proud of myself and my team.”

WHS girls’ soccer drops regional final to Scarborough

By Matt Pascarella

After Windham varsity girls’ soccer held back Falmouth in the semifinal playoff game at Falmouth on Saturday, Nov. 1 with a 3-2 win, the third-placed Eagles returned to Falmouth and took on top-ranked Scarborough in the Class A South regional final on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This was an incredibly hard-fought game that lasted over 100 minutes of play and a penalty kick round.

Windham senior Marley Jarvais keeps the ball away from 
her Scarborough opponent during the Class A South girls'
soccer regional final game against Scarborough at
Falmouth High school on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA   

The Eagles truly left it all on the field and remained tough for over 110 minutes. Scarborough just slipped by when they scored one penalty kick more during the round and won 2-1.

“They being the No. 1 seed had everything to lose and we didn’t,” said Windham senior Marley Jarvais. “We came out and not only did we play with them, but we outplayed them most of the game and I think that’s something we should remember. I think Scarborough was overconfident coming into this game and thought they could easily get a win against us, but I think we just proved that we can outplay them – I think this team has grown so much since the summer.”

During the first half Windham had the upper hand with more offensive chances and very strong defense. The score was 0-0 at the half.

“Our energy ... this game, we all came ready to play,” said Windham sophomore Morgan Clark. “We all knew that we could play with Scarborough and would play however long it would take. How much we’ve grown as a team is a positive that stands out. Coming into this year a lot of us thought this would be a rebuilding year. A lot of us knew what we could be and we all put in the work to be (the team we’ve become).”

Windham sophomore goalie Jennifer Schwarz said she went into this game feeling like there was nothing to lose and she needed to go for every ball. She couldn’t be nervous; she knew her team had her back. Schwarz said once the game started, she was happy out there, doing what she loved. She was a solid barrier and had 10 saves during regulation and overtime play.

In the second half, the Eagles had no diminishment of their hustle. They had earned the right to be there, and every player gave it everything they had.

Roughly 65 minutes into the game Scarborough scored. Windham had a shot at the Red Riot’s goal that bounced off the crossbar. This game wasn’t over yet.

About 72 minutes into regulation play Clark scored. The game was tied 1-1 as the clock ran out.

“We brought it to them, we brought our ‘A’ game, we weren’t intimidated,” said Windham varsity girls’ soccer assistant coach Jim Stewart. “When Windham was down a goal they kept playing, got the goal back, they kept playing. They believed in themselves and they believed in each other. They should be proud of themselves; you play like that, and you lose, ... you hold your head high. You did everything you could do; you gave every bit of effort you could give and that’s all as a coach we could ask for.”

Both overtimes were no different for Windham. They remained aggressive, pressured and had offensive chances and shots on goal.

When it came down to penalty kicks, Scarborough got one more than Windham.

Both Jarvais and Clark agreed the team has grown and improved over the season. They worked hard all season, every game, every ball, every chance. The seniors were playing for the underclassmen, and the underclassmen were playing for the seniors.

“That’s really, really hard what they just did,” said Windham varsity girls’ soccer head coach Deb Lebel. “As much as our kids don’t like it and they all make fun of me for stressing the fitness, I don’t think we dipped too much out there. Windham got a lot better opportunities when we played to feet, they did great.”

When Lebel and Stewart look back on the season, growth and team camaraderie stand out. <

JSMS boys’ cross country ends season with championship win

By Matt Pascarella

The Jordan-Small Middle School boys’ cross country team won the Cumberland County League championship on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Twinbrook Recreation Area in Cumberland.

Jordan-Small Middle School's cross country team gathers
after the Gray Invitational Meet at Gray Middle School 
on Friday, Oct. 3. PHOTO BY JOHN POWERS

Competing against 15 other middle school teams, the JSMS boys’ team edged out Yarmouth Middle School by three points to win the Cumberland County League championship.

Hard work and grit paid off in a big way for these boys,” said JSMS cross country coach John Powers. “With a goal in mind and support from teammates, coaches, parents and their friends they were able to take on a league filled with much larger school populations to win it all.”

Three weeks prior to the event, the JSMS boys’ finished second to Yarmouth during a regular season meet. The day after that second-place finish, Powers said the team got to work with their goal being to defeat Yarmouth in the championship meet and win it all.

He said that the entire team contributed to the improvement and everyone in their top five runners that figured into the score set a personal best during that race.

Eighth grader and team co-captain Miles Moreau finished first in the championship event for JSMS and fifth overall with a time of 11:40 minutes. Eighth grader and co-captain Franklin Murray finished 10th overall and second for JSMS with a 12:19 time.

Sixth grader Mason Hall finished third for the team and 13th overall with a time of 12:28. Sixth grader Brady Cirrinone was fourth with a 12:56 time; and seventh grader Will Carroll finished fifth with a time of 13:13.

"Winning the championship is a reflection on how hard our team works,” said Murray. “By putting their full effort in practices every time and having team spirit that pushes us to be the best we can be.”

Moreau said he knew the meet was going to be close and was relieved when he saw JSMS had won. Afterward, he said he felt proud of his team and its championship accomplishment. <