Windham varsity football squad on way to great season

By Matt Pascarella

In preparation for the upcoming fall season, Windham’s varsity football team competed in a controlled scrimmage against Fryeburg Academy at Windham High School on Saturday, Aug. 24 and showed great promise.

Windham High senior Brayden Penney makes his way
over the defense toward the goal line during a preseason
varsity football controlled scrimmage against
Fryeburg Academy. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

A controlled scrimmage is more like a practice session for coaches and players to refine skills, evaluate performance and figure out how the team works best to be strongest during the regular season. While no score is kept, Fryeburg Academy never made it into Windham’s end zone and Windham made it into Fryeburg Academy’s end zone twice during the scrimmage.

“The goal was to let them have an opportunity to play,” said Windham varsity football coach Matt Perkins. “You get in practice; you think you have something, and you never really know until you play. Some guys got live repetitions – it was great. The puzzle is constantly moving here; we’re pretty happy and pretty healthy, we’ve got some young guys that have got to step up. Our pass game was good, our routes were good, pass protection was good. Our run game at times had some really good life. Defensively I thought we played well, first drive, played great ten plays, Fryeburg had a long drive on us, and we stood up and stopped them. That’s always huge – that’s something we’ll go back to during the season. You had a fourth-down stand, those are big.”

One of the things that stood out to Perkins during this scrimmage was the team’s effort and guys getting after it.

Windham’s defense shut down Fryeburg Academy early, with several tackles, which stopped their offense, limiting their opponent’s yardage.

Senior Brayden Penney had an estimated 20-plus yard run. This was immediately followed by Windham junior Karl Longstreth’s big multi-yard run.

The Eagles’ defense gave it all and made it very hard for Fryeburg Academy to get through. Junior Wyatt Washburn had a solid tackle.

Junior Mason Arbour made it into the end zone followed by sophomore Landon Wyman who narrowly avoided a defender and crossed the goal line.

“We were just looking to get better,” said Wyman. “We worked really hard all week, and we wanted to show ourselves (we could do it). Our sideline was really loud and that helped a lot, and our defense was really good today. What I think needs work is rallying on tackles, maybe being even louder (from the sideline). I’m hoping we have a great season – we’re looking good ... I think we’re going to show how good we are.”

Windham’s defensive line kept it up until the end of the scrimmage.

“I feel like the goal was to get better,” said Penney. “Get our repetitions in and get ready for season. Takeaway is last season, help the younger guys out and motivate them to get better and push harder ... and set a good role model for the program. The sidelines were hyping our teammates up.”

Penney wants the team to win games and make it to the state championship as well as get better on and off the field. He feels good about the team.

Windham’s home opener is at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 against Noble. <

Windham girls’ soccer sails by York in preseason game

By Matt Pascarella

As Windham’s varsity girls’ soccer team continues preparing for the upcoming regular fall season, they hit the pitch in a preseason game against York at Windham High School on Saturday, Aug. 24. Windham scored early and kept up their intensity in shutting out York, 3-0.

Windham senior Stella Jarvais focuses on the goal after
breaking through two opponents during a preseason game
against York. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“I think we did really good today,” said Windham senior Emily Talbot. “It’s probably ... one of the most hard-working teams. For our running in preseason, it’s been some of the best times – we all just really want to win; we’re working really hard to get there. I think we play really well together, especially this year we’ve done a good job moving the ball around and working hard for each other. There’s no separation within our team and it’s really good to see that. It shows on the field and pays off. As the season goes on, I think we’re going to just get better from here, we overall did a really good job today.”

Windham stayed with the ball and commanded the field; they got the ball by York. There were multiple shots on goal. After a short time, Talbot scored; she followed up and found the back of the net again before the end of the half. Windham held a 2-0 lead going into the second half.

“So many good things happening here,” said Windham varsity girls’ soccer coach Deb Lebel. “We’re just building from where we left off last year. I feel like we are a step forward – kids are making runs that maybe they wouldn’t a year ago; it’s becoming second nature to them. I think we have a couple freshmen who are pushing those upperclassmen – they can’t relax – because those freshmen have worked really hard and deserve to be here. I think with some incoming talent, some growth and maturity, this should be a great steppingstone for the year to come. Defensively, we need to sort out a few things in terms of quicker play, getting creative but quickly. If we can sort that out, I think we’re going to be really strong.”

The Lady Eagles’ intensity remained as Windham controlled the ball and had several shots at goal early in the second half. Their strong defense made it difficult for York to get many scoring opportunities. Partway through the second half, junior Myla Vercoe fired the ball past the goalie. Windham gave 100 percent right up until the final whistle.

“I think after a really hard week of tryouts and preseason and us all working really hard together and being able to come on the field and see where we’re at this year compared to last year,” said Vercoe. “We have good potential with us as a team and how we’re going to play; I think this was a good reflection of how we’re going to do this upcoming season. We all work really well with passing ... and our chemistry is getting better. We could always work on more communication ... and finishing. We’ve worked really good coming together and complement each other’s skills.” <

High School All-America soccer team honors 2024 WHS graduate

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High graduate Connor LeClerc received one final recognition for his time on the varsity boys’ soccer team before he heads to the University of Southern Maine in Gorham this fall to major in exercise science and play college soccer. LeClerc was one of 43 senior boys’ players nationwide to be a part of the United Soccer Coaches 2023-2024 High School Scholar All-America team.

Windham High graduate Connor LeClerc 
displays his certificate and medal as one of
43 boys nationwide to be chosen for the 
United Soccer Coaches 2023-2024 High
School Scholar All America Team. He's
headed to the University of Southern
Maine this fall to play college soccer.
PHOTO BY RACHEL LECLERC  

This honor is based on cumulative classroom achievement as well as success on the soccer field during their high school careers.

“I had always held myself to a very high standard in the classroom and on the soccer field,” said LeClerc. “To me this was the perfect way to end my senior season. It felt good to be recognized for my hard work not just on the soccer field, but also in the classroom. This award was the one that I felt the strongest about and was really hoping to be honored with. When I got the call from Coach Neal, it made me feel as though all the work I had put in the last four years was worth it. It also motivated me to continue working harder than I ever have as I take on harder challenges in college.”

To be eligible for this award a player must have a Grade Point Average of 3.75 and above through the first semester of their senior year – LeClerc’s GPA was a solid 4.00. Nominations come from high school coaches and the athletes must have shown excellence on the soccer field and also have performed community service of some kind.

When LeClerc started playing soccer at 3, he never knew how big a role it would play in his life. His father’s passion for the game is what motivated him at a young age to keep playing. LeClerc has been playing year-round since he was in middle school.

“Connor is very deserving (of this honor) because he stands out on the field,” said teammate and Windham graduate Nick Marion. “He also stands out in the classroom; he puts a lot of effort into his schoolwork and is always willing to lend a hand whenever it is needed.”

According to LeClerc, it took a lot of self-discipline to excel on the field and in the classroom. Late-night homework was no fun, but LeClerc knew it was necessary. His mother was a big advocate for him and made sure he stayed on top of his schoolwork. LeClerc said none of this would have been possible without the amazing teachers at Windham who were always there for him when needed.

“Connor places the idea of team before himself,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “He is also a very coachable athlete. Early in his junior preseason he volunteered to play a position that was identified as a team priority, yet one he had never played before and was definitely something out of his comfort zone. In an incredibly short period of time, Connor transformed himself and meteorically emerged as a premier player at that field spot. He isn’t afraid to put in the work, and he expects others to do the same. This was also witnessed this past fall as he helped captain Windham to a season record of 14-1-1. Whether it be on-field leadership, behind the scenes locker room interactions, being the face of the program and interacting-mentoring our youth soccer players – I had complete trust in Connor to do the right thing. He can be counted on to be a leader in the classroom. He managed a challenging and diverse course load of studies, and he prides himself on doing his best and being successful. The caliber of athlete, student, and all-around human being that he consistently demonstrates has placed him as one of the very best I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my thirty-plus years of coaching and teaching.”

LeClerc says that he would like to thank his family and friends for being there and supporting him, his teachers for pushing him to be a great student, and all of the coaches who helped develop him into a great soccer player. He would like to give a special thank you to Coach Neal who changed his soccer career and was more than just a coach to him in the past two years. <

Windham’s Langstaff completes stellar college running career

By Matt Pascarella

Just like she made an impression while running for Windham High School’s cross country and track and field teams, University of New Hampshire graduate Hannah Langstaff did the same in college while majoring in nursing. She currently works as a registered nurse in the Barbara Bush Inpatient Unit at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Windham High and University of New Hampshire graduate
Hannah Langstaff competes in a race during the 2021-2022
indoor track season. Langstaff graduated UNH with a nursing
degree earlier this year and works in the Barbara Bush Pediatric
Unit at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
COURTESY PHOTO   

“College was definitely an adjustment from high school,” said Langstaff. “Everything is bigger, the campus, the classes, and the competition. I started my freshman year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and that was very challenging, it made it difficult to meet new people and experience what college is all about. Freshman year I did not compete due to COVID-19 restrictions and a couple injuries I was struggling with. The summer going into sophomore year I decided I was going to work really hard on getting my mileage in and doing all the little things, this all paid off and I was able to race really well during cross country and indoor; I even was able to be a part of a school record relay team which was by far my favorite memory from my time at UNH. The summer going into junior year I did the same thing and again was able to gain some personal records throughout cross country and indoor. Unfortunately, in outdoor I got a stress reaction, (and) senior year I struggled to get back to where I had been. However, it allowed me to experience other exciting aspects on my senior year of college and focus on my academics.”

As a nurse, Langstaff is responsible for caring for patients, making sure they are comfortable, administering medications, assessing, providing interventions when necessary and communicating with the team. Langstaff would love to stay at the Barbara Bush Unit long-term and continue to add competencies to her license. She’s already learned so much from the month and half she’s been orienting and is excited to continue to learn and grow within the field.

During her sophomore year competing for UNH’s outdoor track and field team, Langstaff placed first in the 3,000-meter at the UNH season opener. During her senior year in indoor track and field, she finished third in the 4 x 800 during the New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association Track and Field Championships. She also excelled in the classroom, making it on the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll and into the National College Athlete Honor Society.

As a sophomore, her relay team set a new school record in the 4 x 800 with a time of 8:50.67 minutes. This meant a lot to her because it included three people that she really looked up to who were dedicated to the sport.

“I believe that is how we were able to succeed and get the school record,” said Langstaff. “It is my favorite memory at UNH because it is something that I had never dreamed I would be able to be a part of, but I exceeded my own expectations for myself.”

When Langstaff looks back on her time competing for Windham High School cross country and indoor-outdoor track and field teams, she said it taught her that hard work and that consistency pays off. She says she also learned the importance of having fun and enjoying what you are doing. She is often asked how she balanced nursing school and running and her answer is that she simply loves running and enjoys having fun with teammates.

“I got to run cross country, indoor, and outdoor track with Hannah from 2020 to 2023,” said UNH graduate Cailey Archer, a member of the UNH relay team. “As an athlete in high school, I struggled greatly with anxiety-related to performance in sport. The switch flipped for me when I got to college and began running relays. The change came because of the immediate support that I felt from teammates like Hannah and her uplifting positivity. She was such a critical member of the team not only for her blazing fast times and unmatched work ethic, but in her compassion and attitude that fostered the belief that together we could do anything. Hannah served as a leader on the team in regard to hard work, academic excellence (in a taxing major of nursing requiring clinical rotations) and being the best type of friend on the track and off. I know that she will make a fantastic nurse because helping people is one of the things she does best.” <

WHS graduate Brown continues to give back to basketball program

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School 2020 graduate Cameron Brown was a star on the court, while succeeding in the classroom. He’ll be a senior in the fall at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, majoring in media studies, with a minor in athletics coaching. He’s been volunteering his time with Windham High School’s basketball program coaching the boys’ first or freshmen team, the summer junior varsity team and the varsity team during the fall season. His goal is to get to the highest level of college coaching he can.

Windham High graduate and University of Southern Maine
senior Cameron Brown focuses on the ball during a
preseason basketball game at Southern Maine Community
College in South Portland last November.
PHOTO BY JAMES LIEBOWITZ,
USM ATHLETIC PHOTOGRAPHY    

“One of the biggest reasons I got involved with the boys’ team at Windham High School was the culture that Chad (Pulkkinen) has built since I was a player,” said Brown. “We had some close-knit teams when I was at WHS but never the culture he has brought to the team this past year. This is a very special group. They work out together, eat together, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company on and off the court. Chad ... is a huge inspiration to me and has always had my best interest in mind.”

Basketball has been something Brown remembers being around from the earliest days in his life. His father was a basketball coach, so he’s always been around the game and was drawn to it from the first moment he could pick up a ball.

“Just having one of the guys back like him, who can relate to the kids and what experiences they are going through is important,” said Windham varsity boys’ basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “He understands the commitment it takes and has been able to play at the next level which allows players to pick his brain. He brings a maturity and love for the game that is contagious within the group. He has really evolved his basketball IQ and has become a really good teacher of the game. He’s a basketball coach’s kid, so he understands the game from a different perspective and shows incredible composure and focus while working with our guys.”

Volunteering for Coach Pulkkinen’s staff as a behind the scenes assistant last season was a lot of fun for Brown. The entire staff was very open to everything he had to offer and that really speaks to their character, allowing a young college kid to step into a role and value his opinions. Coaches George McCrillis, Geoff Grigsby, Noah Estey and Pulkkinen are lifelong friends of Brown’s and have all played a crucial role in helping him in his playing and coaching career.

Since Brown is a 22-year-old kid who’s had the experience of playing at the next level where a lot of his players want to go, Brown has brought a different perspective to the program. He believes it’s easy for the players to relate to him, because not long ago he was in their shoes.

One of the things Brown wants to bring to the game and stress to his players as a coach and teacher is being where your feet are. A lot of players worry about things down the line in their career, being scouted, rankings or upcoming games. Brown used to have similar worries until someone told him to just be where his feet are and stay focused on what you can control.

“Coach Cam is a great coach because of the experiences he’s been through as a player at Windham and also the University of Southern Maine,” said Windham junior AJ Moody. “He’s helped me by calling me to come workout with him and pushing me to my best ability. He helped during the championship season by being at some of our practices and showing us the little things that are very useful in the long run. He has helped this program by just bringing a better connection with us. If we are playing down in my gym, we will invite Coach Cam; he’s great to be around.” <

Windham’s Kimball commits to Youngstown State University softball

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High senior Kennedy Kimball has been playing softball since her T-ball days and truly fell in love with the game when she first started playing Little League. From that point on Kimball excelled in the sport and after playing on the 12-youth USA team in Oklahoma City, it became her dream to play Division I softball. That dream is about to become a reality as Kimball has committed to attend Youngstown State University in Ohio. where she will major in the animal science pre-veterinary program and play Division I softball.

Windham High senior Kennedy Kimball pitches for
the New England Elite travel softball team in a
2022 game. She has committed to play college
softball after graduation for Youngstown State
University. PHOTO BY JAIME LAMB KIMBALL

“Windham schools have put me on a great academic path and set me up to be able to get into a great college,” said Kimball. “The Windham softball program has been my home since Little League and shaped me into the player I am today. To every girl out there who also has the same goal as I did, stay committed to yourself and the sport. What’s made me stick with it is my teammates. The girls make me want to play for them and give my all to them.”

Aside from being a key player on Windham’s varsity softball team and an outstanding pitcher who was selected for the Southern Maine Activities Association All-Star teams in 2023 and 2024, Kimball grew up on the farm to which she attributes a large part of her success. Kimball grew up showing cows in all parts of the United States and Canada. Doing this opened her eyes to different experiences and made her realize what hard work really is. All the hard work she’s put in on the farm along with her practices for softball have set her up to thrive in college.

As someone who grew up around animals and plans to become a veterinarian, Kimball would like to use her degree to do equine and massage therapy. Kimball says that she wants to do Magna Wave therapy and massage therapy to help rehabilitate horses or horses in competition. This therapy is used to help horses and cows during recovery by reducing soreness associated with muscle strain or pulled tendons. The massage part helps the tissue of the animal and relaxes their muscles. Kimball wants to take the animal science and pre-veterinarian course to further explore animal’s body structures and learn the science and biology behind them.

“If I could describe Kennedy in one word it would be fearless,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “She dominates with different pitches she throws and commands the circle because she’s in control of her spins and location. She has a special ability to ... make sure that all of her teammate’s voices are heard. She will be a three-time captain of our program this year and I hope that speaks the loudest. She is going to thrive in a D1 environment because she has been wanting this level of softball for so long. She’s got big ideas and dreams and she’s making them come true by the work she’s putting in.”

Kimball is extremely excited about the 2025 season and her goal for the upcoming year is to play the best competition that she can. She wants to take on anything that can help her prepare for college and make her the best player possible before she gets there.

“I think anywhere Kennedy is the vibe and just life around her will always be positive and productive,” said Windham senior Chloe Edwards who’s played alongside Kimball for 11 years. “I think Kennedy will be a great pitcher and infielder and one of the best in the lineup. Kennedy is so supportive and I can proudly say she is a great friend to all and will never make you feel otherwise. Kennedy is a genuine person and deserves all good that comes to her. You will never meet someone who works as hard in the classroom, on the farm and on the softball field. I have no doubt she will do great things at Youngstown, and I can’t wait to see what these years of college hold for her and what she can do in them.” <

Windham boys’ summer soccer ends season on high note

By Matt Pascarella

In the final game of the summer season, Windham High’s boys’ soccer team left Edward Little scoreless with a 3-0 victory, at Windham High School on Thursday, Aug. 1.

“It’s been a very productive summer,” said Windham assistant boys’ summer soccer coach Nick Dubay. “We threw a lot of things at them and they kind of adjusted on the fly. To get into roles and watch them sink in over the summer is impressive to watch.”

Windham sophomore Blake Roma keeps the ball away from
an opponent during a summer boys' soccer game at Windham
High School on Thursday, Aug 1.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Windham started strong and moved the ball well, as they took several shots at Edward Little’s goal early on. Eagle defense kept the ball away from their goal as they gave Edward Little’s goalie a workout.

“When we started off the season, we knew we had a really talented squad,” said Windham junior Camden Patin. “After a couple games it started flowing together, just trying different tactics, putting players in different positions ... we’ve wrapped up really well.”

Windham senior Sam Rogers scored first. Senior Luke Cunniffe was next when he fired a shot from just outside the penalty area that found the back of the net.

“Knowing that team pressed hard all game, I think we improved on that in the second half definitely,” said Rogers. “We’ve mostly improved by just playing together, getting a feel on everyone’s play style and adjusting to understand how different players see the field. We have some spots we need to fill in and we need players to work hard during preseason and work for a varsity spot. It’s not going to come easy.”

Rogers scored again before the end of the first half and Windham led, 3-0.

“For this summer season ... we worked from a tough first few games and worked our way up,” said Windham senior Levi Hayman. “Today, we all worked great together, we tried a new formation, a new 4-4-2, that went well. We have very good chemistry on the field. We work really well with our balls going through the midfield and then switching the fields; gets us really in the goal all the time. As long as we communicate, balls go through and we end up scoring, we had a lot of chances today [to score], and I’d say a huge part is finishing those chances. The hustle on 50/50 balls was huge, physicality too – not getting pushed off the ball as much.”

Both teams kept each other scoreless through the second half. Windham took shots at the goal immediately. They controlled the field and played at their pace.

“The summer is about trying to fill spots from the previous season and find a team identity and find a playing style that’s going to work for us against the majority of the teams that we play,” said Windham boys’ summer soccer coach Jeff Neal. “Seeing them be able to dictate the pace of the play and where we want the ball to go and get opponents back on their heels a bit is how we want to play. We’re still sorting some stuff out, the first step of preseason is ... raising the bar, seeing the guys who are going to be here and who are the guys who are going to be able to perform consistently and kind of put them under the gun a little bit – because you want your top players to rise to the top and see how they gel and how they form. I think we have more depth in the program than we’ve had in a number of years.”

Neal said defensively Windham was solid and didn’t give anything up; transition from front-to-back was better, where they want to play the ball; connecting all three phases at the pitch was much better. They’ve responded well as a team. <

WHS Cross Country teams preparing for a successful fall season

By Matt Pascarella

In preparation for the upcoming preseason and regular fall season Windham High School’s cross-country team held a six-week cross country summer camp from June 24 to Aug. 2 for Windham and Raymond students in grades seven through 12 at Windham High School’s stadium track.

Windham sophomore Eva Vancellette, left, and freshman
Liam Moxcey circle the track at Windham High School 
on Friday, July 26 during the WHS Cross Country 
Summer Camp. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“What we tried to present is to provide an opportunity for anyone to unlock their potential,” said assistant WHS cross country coach Jeff Conant. “If it’s somebody that’s interested in getting faster for another sport or they’re just looking to have better fitness, we can start you on a program that will be catered to where you start and get you up to a place where you’ll feel really good about the progression that you’ve made. Being able to ... provide a healthy opportunity for kids in the summertime has been really nice.”

The theme of the camp was to “unlock your potential.” There were 25 athletes who took advantage of this opportunity. The camp was a detailed daily sequence of movements and exercises, running assignments, followed by group strength building and stretching in order to increase flexibility, speed and, most importantly to avoid injury. It also offered consistent daily and weekly speed and strength development opportunities on the track or in the weight room.

The coaching staff worked to help campers realize being a true athlete is a lifestyle choice that includes respecting your body, choosing appropriate foods, getting sleep, hydrating, setting goals, learning and remaining positive, respecting others, and seeking happiness.

“I like cross country and had run it before so I thought it would be a good idea to run it during the summer,” said Windham seventh grader Anthony Douglass. “I’ve done strides and pretty good sprints and progressed from day one to now.”

High school runners have been helping Douglass achieve some of his goals.

The running groups are broken up and based on experience with the more knowledgeable runners going out for longer runs.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. It’s a lot of hard work but is always worth it in the end,” said Windham eighth grader Celia Boothby. “I’ve learned the proper running form; I can’t really run long distance so here I’ve been able to stretch that limit and I’ve learned how to do a lot of the stretches and the exercises which will help me even when I’m not running.”

This will contribute to Boothby playing softball and will help with baserunning.

Windham senior Tayla Pelletier is playing two sports for the upcoming fall season, cross country and soccer.

“I wanted to continue running with my teammates,” said Pelletier. “[The camp] always helps encourage me. I wanted to improve my running, and these are some of the best coaches to do it with. It definitely helps my endurance and my mindset; my mindset is improving with every long run. It’s going to help my endurance a lot [on the soccer field]."

Windham senior Andrew Young wanted to start on the cross country season early and figured the camp was the best way.

“It's definitely going to help with endurance and getting me back to where I was last year,” said Young. “As I started running with the team, I slowly started getting better and better with them and doing more.”

At the beginning of the camp, the campers ran a 5K in Gorham and for some, finished their first 5K ever. On the last day of camp, they headed back to Gorham to rerun that 5K and recognize what they have accomplished and the abilities they have unlocked over the summer of 2024. <

WHS field hockey team effectively preparing for future

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s field hockey team has been preparing for the fall season during the summer while also teaching the next generation of players about the game. The WHS summer clinic is run by varsity and junior varsity players who are teaching kindergarteners through eighth grade how to master skills associated with the game.

Windham third grader Callie Connor practices moving the 
ball with WHS junior Abby Trainor during the WHS
field hockey youth clinic for kindergarten through
eighth-grade players at Windham High School on
Thursday July 25. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

The WHS summer field hockey team beat Greely at Deering High School in Portland 3-2 in a summer game on Tuesday, July 23 and then held one of their weekly youth clinics on Thursday, July 25 at Windham High School.

“Getting everyone as many minutes as they can before the season starts [is important],” said Windham varsity coach Cory DiDonato. “We’ve had a great turnout this summer – best ever, probably for me. I think it will be a good season. We have cultivated a team that knows hard work is how we become successful, so more players are motivated to put in the work outside of the regular season. We’ve had great veteran leaders and lots of enthusiastic younger players who are hungry to contribute.”

Everyone on the team keeps each other motivated with the older players helping the younger ones. The team is learning to gel and are working well together; they are learning to trust one another and their positions. The win over Greely is proof of this.

Windham field hockey began running youth clinics in 2016. In addition to the summer clinic, the youth clinic also takes place on Saturdays during the regular season. DiDonato wants to lay the groundwork early on for what they want to see as a program. They’ve had great numbers this summer with over 50 athletes signed up.

The goal of the youth clinic is to get field hockey sticks into the hands of younger athletes, so they are ready to play when they enter middle school. They work on basics with the younger athletes and more advanced skills for the athletes that have been with the program longer.

“It helps a lot with conditioning and ... running and getting better with your stick skills, gives you a little boost for preseason,” said Windham junior Liz Baker. “[The youth clinic] helps a lot with getting to know the girls and the program they’ll be a part of when they get older. We learn a lot from the younger kids; like attitude stuff and how to be patient, teaching and leadership skills.”

Windham third grader Callie Connor’s favorite part of the youth camp is learning how to pass. She’s also learned how to dribble the ball and would like to play on the varsity team someday.

“I wasn’t really into soccer, but once I played field hockey, I liked it a lot,” said Windham eighth grader Lucy Stretch. “I always have a good time playing it. I’ve learned how to be a leader; I do club and travel field hockey – to play with girls who ... need somebody to help them play I think the youth clinic is really good. It’s a fun experience.”

Windham fifth grader Leah Leighton has been watching her older sister play field hockey and wondered how fun it was.

“It’s been very fun since I’ve been trying it,” said Leighton. “It teaches me about all kinds of moves and I have been having fun learning how to keep my hand grip and how to hit it, keep my eyes on the ball and keep it straight.”

The varsity players are the backbone of the youth clinic. There are 10-15 players who are instrumental in helping out each week. These players are compassionate and energetic who love teaching the younger group. The relationships formed between the varsity players and the younger athletes make the game more fun.

“It’s good to come together and help the younger kids because they’re the next generation of field hockey,” said Windham senior Ava Gerrity. “It benefits us because when we teach [the skills], we’re also learning how to as well. It’s good for them to have teenagers and girls ... to connect with.”

If you are interested in the Saturday field hockey youth clinic, Coach DiDonato will be posting sign up details soon on the Windham Field Hockey Facebook page. <

Windham boys’ freshman basketball pulls ahead in final moments of Gorham game to earn win

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham boys’ basketball first team squad, comprised of all freshman players, traveled to play Gorham on Monday, July 29 and ended the summer with a victory.

Windham freshman Colton McLeod goes up for a layup
on Monday, July 29 in the final game of the boys' First Team
basketball summer season against Gorham.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Windham trailed the Rams for most of the game, then took the lead with roughly a minute left and held off Gorham to earn a 33-30 win in the final game of the summer basketball season.

“I think one of the biggest things is they stayed composed,” said Windham First Team coach Cameron Brown. “We’ve had a lot of close games this summer and there’ve been times we kept our composure and times we kind of lost it. It reflects on the scoreboard when we play within ourselves and we know what we want to do; towards the end of the game, don’t get too sped up, those are the things that have been successful for us. Just being down three, you know [Gorham] is going to go for a quick three-pointer ... the biggest thing for us was high hands without fouling and they executed really well.”

Windham was slow to start, but this would all change later in the game. Gorham held a small lead but Windham’s Quraunte Pender put the Eagles on the scoreboard.

After battling hard, Windham came within one point of a tie game. They worked hard to get rebounds, though Gorham kept the lead by getting several turnovers. Windham was rebounding and tied the game at 14. Gorham took the lead 18-16 at the half.

“They had the lead most of the first half and that was tough,” said Windham’s Boston Krainis. “But moving the ball, cutting, spacing, and obviously Jalen [Stephens] with the big three [-pointer] at the end and we were able to pass it around, move it in the last two minutes and finish up the game there.

In the last 30 seconds, Windham looked to see who was open, tried to get open, moved around and waited until Gorham fouled – they just didn’t want to turn the ball over.

Pender tied the game at 18 in the second half. Gorham still led, but the game was within reach. Windham snagged a few rebounds, and Gorham led by four with six minutes remaining.

Windham’s Parker Frost hit a three-pointer and Windham is now down by one point with just four minutes left. Stephens sunk a three-pointer with a minute left in play.

“We really took pride on defense when they were driving down the court,” said Windham’s Mason Rulman. “We tried to make no turnovers while on offense, that helped us win. We focused on what we were doing, not trying to make mistakes, we were able to get to the basket and score. We put a lot of work in at practice and it shows when we come out here and play.”

Coach Brown said that his biggest takeaway from the summer season is that the team came in and they wanted to learn, they wanted to get better; and they put themselves in situations so they could get better.”

He said they know what this program can be, and they want to be a part of it. <