Varsity cheerleading squad earns big boost at multi-school competition

By Matt Pascarella

After an impressive fourth-place finish in their previous competition, Windham’s varsity cheerleaders took on Bonny Eagle, Gorham, Sanford, Thornton Academy, Noble, Scarborough, Massabesic, Deering, Marshwood, South Portland, Biddeford and Portland at Noble in North Berwick on Saturday, Jan. 27 and placed fourth out of 13 teams at the Southern Maine Activities Association cheerleading competition with a score of 63.9 – almost a full 10 points higher than the previous week.

Windham varsity cheerleaders Lily Woodcock, a freshman,
left, and junior Ella Roberts take a high vantage point during
the Southern Maine Activities Association cheering
competition on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Noble High School.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“I think this week’s performance was a huge improvement from last week,” said Windham varsity cheerleading coach Amber Direnzo. “Last week's score was 54.2 and we also got fourth out of 11 teams. We did a lot of work cleaning up the routine and using our feedback from our first competition to make adjustments for this week. I don’t think I had a full expectation coming into today, but they did so great last week that I was hoping they’d improve upon last week and I think that they did. They hit their first stunts more solidly. And also, the express-up didn’t hit last week and it hit today. They did so great, I’m so proud of them. The opening stunt ... the toss, all their formations, all looked really good.”

Direnzo said their tumbling wasn’t as synced up as last week, but that’ll come with more practice because she knows the team can do it.

“Our stunts and technique definitely went up and I’m looking forward to seeing that reflect in our scores,” said Windham junior Ellieana Archibald. “We’re here to prove that we’re better than last year and improving from our last competition. Having our fans there and our parents really helped; the energy was just crazy today. I think just a few of our stunts need to be fine-tuned; we need to get them in shape and that’s it. I’m so proud of my team, I feel like we blew each other’s expectations out of the water, so it’s just a great feeling. [Our goal was to] keep improving ... and I think we met that goal today.”

The crowd was electric, and the gym roared every time a new school took to the mat. Schools cheered for each other, and the environment was very supportive of all the teams.

“My goal was to have the most energy and I think we accomplished that,” said Windham junior Ella Roberts. “All of the stunts hit, and we were all very happy at the end; and I think we accomplished almost everything on our goal list. Before you go on, it can be really nerve wracking; I was really worried about the express-up, and we hit it and that just made the whole routine work better, because we were all so happy. Tumblers proved themselves and they did so well; we knew we did good. Things that need a bit of work are we need some more tumbling; we could have tighter stunts and tighter motions.”

Windham’s performance was full of stunts, which is when they go up in the air. One of the more advanced stunts they did was an express up which is when they start on one leg and switch legs as they ascend. The performance also featured flips, jumps, a pyramid, and a lot of enthusiastic cheering. The team was very hyped, and everyone had a lot of spirit.

“There was a lot of good energy,” said Windham senior Monica Lewis. “Our team has come super far since last season and we’re a lot stronger and everyone did their jobs. Our goal was to place higher than we did last week and [have] a stronger routine and try and fix the things that we could work on. Our stunts all hit, which was an improvement from last week and everyone’s energy. We did an amazing job and I’m proud of everyone for how far they’ve come.” <

Wolfpack wrestling coach Nicholas earns 200th career win

By Matt Pascarella

Windham/Westbrook/Gray New-Gloucester Wolfpack wrestling coach John Nicholas has been coaching wrestling for 25 years and earned his 200th varsity career win last month when the Wolfpack defeated York, 45-24.

The Windham/Westbrook/Gray New Gloucester Wolfpack
Wrestling team gathers with John Jon Nicholas after he 
earned his 200th career victory following a meet at York
High School on Dec. 13.
PHOTO BY DANIELLE BUCKLEY

Nicholas began coaching at Windham in 2018 and the 200 wins span more than 17 years of Nicholas serving as a head coach.

Now a physical education teacher at Wentworth School in Scarborough, Nicholas wrestled at Westbrook High School under Hall of Fame coach Dennis Walch.

After high school, he followed in Walch’s footsteps and was able to coach alongside him for a couple years. Nicholas then got a job coaching at Portland High School.

“I was taught to work hard, pay attention to detail, and try your best,” said Nicholas. “I have been blessed to have great parents, coaches, and teachers, assistant coaches and tough wrestlers who are willing to learn at all three schools.”

On the day of the York match, Nicholas said that he was more focused on preparing the team to face York, as they are a tough team, but the 200th win was in the back of his head.

Windham senior Scott Ingalls is a Wolfpack team captain and has wrestled under Nicholas for four years. In the huddle before the match, Ingalls said Nicholas told the team that while they are wrestling for themselves on the mat, this was a big one. He said it felt good to get the win.

“His care and devotion to the program sets him apart from other coaches,” said Ingalls. “He’s taught me a lot, this is my second year being a captain, he’s helped me develop my own leadership skills and put forth to the program what I can offer through him teaching me.”

On the day of the 200th win, Nicholas said he felt relieved after the Wolfpack beat York. He describes himself as a humble person and it was good to have the team excited after he reached that milestone.

Being able to coach beside Dennis Walch taught Nicholas a lot about being a successful wrestler and coach, with lessons like time management, preparedness and working hard to accomplish your goals. Walch helped Nicholas become a better person and Nicholas now passes on those habits to his wrestlers.

“I always wanted to coach at my alma mater, and I was able to do that for a long time and now continue to,” said Nicholas. “I wanted to create a positive environment where kids enjoy wrestling and want to work hard to achieve their goals.”

He likes where his career has taken him. His teams have brought success into their system by showing up every day, working hard, learning, improving, wrestling tough and having fun.

Wolfpack assistant varsity coach Nick Buckley has coached next to Nicholas for three years. Buckley said Nicholas is a great mentor, has a lot of knowledge – knows what works and what doesn’t work, is consistent with his message, always wants to win and is always looking for that edge.

“When he came [to Windham] he changed the culture,” said Buckley. “It was almost a recreational team ... but when he came [to Windham] now we’re here to wrestle and get better. Getting better is an expectation and winning is a byproduct of that. He made a tougher practice schedule and held people accountable. When you do that teams get better.”

“It is nice to be acknowledged for 200 wins,” said Nicholas. “I hope what it says about me is that I have continued to produce teams that are tough, have good sportsmanship, and keep improving.

He said that he plans to continue coaching the Wolfpack and producing tough competitive teams that keep striving for a state title. <

Windham Parks and Recreation’s summer track and field team showcases skills at state meet

Windham freshman Karl Longstreth receives
congratulations from Windham Parks and
Recreation track and field coach Katherine
Slomczynski after he became state champion
in javelin with a 120-foot throw during the
United States of America Track and Field
Meet at Cony High School in Augusta on Aug.
13. PHOTO BY MARINA LONGSTRETH

By Matt Pascarella 

The Windham Parks and Recreation summer track team competed in the Maine United States of America Track and Field (USATF) state meet at Cony High School in Augusta on Saturday, Aug. 13. Windham performed with distinction, sending a squad of 16 athletes from ages 8 to 15 to represent the town.

To participate in the state competition, athletes had to place in the top four at the qualifier meet.

The COVID-19 pandemic had temporarily halted the summer state meets for a while and Windham had not competed in one since 2019.

“The kids missed being able to do the meets the past few years, so they were excited to be back,” said Windham Parks and Recreation track and field coach Philip Jackson. “The kids liked being able to see their progress from meet to meet. The 13 to 14-year-old boys were a cohesive group. They were very supportive of each other and were good at pushing each other as well. I am especially proud of the sportsmanship of our athletes.”

At Augusta, Windham freshman Karl Longstreth was the boys’ javelin state champion with a throw of 36.62 meters – about 120 feet. He also placed second in the 100 meter, and third in the 200.

Many other Windham athletes also racked up exceptional performances in the state competition including:

· Windham freshman Meg Kingsley finished second in the 400, third in the javelin, fourth in the girls’ 100 and fifth in the long jump.

· Windham seventh-grader Peter Funk finished second in the boys’ shotput and fifth in the discus.

· Windham’s Josephine Sanborn placed third in the 9 to 10-year-old 800 race-walk.

· Windham’s relay team of freshmen Aaron Sanborn, Marek Slomczynski, Connor Witham, and Karl Longstreth finished in second place.

Windham’s Mason Bragdon finished third in the 13 to 14-year-old boys’ 3000 run and also competed in discus.

· Windham freshman Nick Verill finished third in the boys’ high jump.

· Windham freshman Connor Witham finished fifth in the boys’ javelin.

· Windham seventh-grader Renner Gerrity finished fifth in the boys’ 80-meter hurdles.

· Windham sixth-grader Jacoby Burton finished fifth in the boys’ triple jump.

“The whole Windham team worked so hard all summer putting all of our effort in every meet,” said Longstreth. “Every practice we try our hardest pushing our limits and making us stronger which made us faster and better for the state.”

Longstreth said he felt like a champion when he heard how far he threw the javelin before he became state champion.

He’s been working hard at track and field for seven years now, and that hard work has finally paid off.

According to Longstreth, he’s very proud of everything he accomplished during this year’s state meet in Augusta. <

Windham High track team continues excellence

Windham senior Matthew Fix clears the high jump bar at
5 feet 10 inches during a track meet with Bonny Eagle,
Marshwood and Gorham at Bonny Eagle in Standish
on Thursday, May 12. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

It was a hot day, but Windham’s outdoor track and field boys’ and girls’ teams were ready to compete. The girls remain undefeated, 3-0, as they finished first with a score of 99 against Gorham, Marshwood and Bonny Eagle in a dual meet at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish on Thursday, May 12.

The boys’ team had several athletes finish in the top five at the meet. Windham senior Matthew Fox finished first in the high jump with a height of 5 feet, 10 inches. He has already qualified for states.

“It feels good,” said Fox. “The main goal now is I want to win out states. It’s fun to be up here, but I think the main job is winning that.”

The boys finished with a score of 56; Gorham finished first with 79.50, Marshwood 70 and Bonny Eagle 59.

Girls

Freshman Tayla Pelletier finished first in the high jump with a distance of 4-11.00. She finished first in the triple jump with a distance of 35-04.00; she finished second in the 300 hurdles, with a time of 51.15 seconds. She qualified for states in all these events.

Pelletier said it was a good day. She felt like the heat didn’t impede her performance and she got several personal records. She said it’s nice to have teammates cheering you on.

In the pole vault, senior Isabel Dionne finished first and qualified for states with a height of 7-06.00.

Sophomore Jasmynne Heath finished first in the 1600 racewalk with a time of 11:17.23 minutes and qualified for states.

Freshman Ava Gerrity finished second in the long jump with a distance of 15-08.75 and the triple jump with a distance of 32. She qualified for states in both events.

“The Lady Eagles track and field team is showcasing excellence. These ladies ... bring the fun to the ‘game’ daily; they set goals, they are building self-confidence and belief in themselves ... as an all-in and incredibly motivated team.”   

Boys

Windham junior Max Arbour finished second in the shot put with a distance 38-03.25.

Senior Josh Guite finished second in the javelin throw with a distance of 132-00.

Junior Owen Weatherby finished third in the 400 with a time of 56.75.

Senior Wyatt Flibbert came in second in the long jump with a distance of 18-10.00.

Windham boys coach Paula Pock said the athletes had a lot of personal bests in the sprints, jumping and throwing events. The weather was a motivator; the team was looking forward to this and the nice weather helped with performances. <

Windham/Westbrook/Gray New-Gloucester wrestling finds success at Zeb Leavitt Memorial Tournament

The Windham/Westbrook, Gray New Gloucester
prep wrestling team finished in second place with
a score of 136 just behind Sanford at the Zeb
Leavitt Memorial Tournament at Cheverus High
School on Saturday, Jan. 15.
PHOTOO BY BROOKE REID 

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham/Westbrook/Gray New-Gloucester wrestling team turned in an amazing showing in their first tournament of the season at the Zeb Leavitt Memorial Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Cheverus High School.

The team was more than ready for this tournament, and it felt great to return to the mat after Covid took a year from them last season. This was the first time the program placed in a tournament when they finished second with a score of 136.

Windham/Westbrook/Gray-New Gloucester put six wrestlers in the finals and had two individual champions: Windham junior Scott Ingalls who won the 170-pound final and Windham freshman Ayden Cofone who won the 113-pound final.

“Everyone on the team chipped in during the day,” said Windham/Westbrook/Gray-New Gloucester coach John Nicholas. “We talked about what it takes to win a tournament and for most of the day we were in first place before slipping a bit in the late rounds. However, we were very competitive all day and pulled off a few upsets along the way.”

Cofone was expecting some hard matches for himself and the whole team and said it felt good to have upperclassman cheering him on as he wrestled. 

According to Cofone, tt meant a lot for him to be on a team that took second place and this win will definitely be motivation for the team, as well as him, in future meets and tournaments.

“This whole season the whole team has been going hard in practice, really preparing us for any competition we face,” said Ingalls. “Getting into the final felt great, as during freshman year I never qualified to wrestle for first or second. It really gave me a confidence boost going into my final match. This top two finish really shows that if we work hard in practice and deliver on the mat in competition, we can really be a top contender.”<

Windham/Westbrook/Gray New Gloucester wrestling shows improvement in final meet of 2021

Windham junior Scott Ingalls holds his opponent to the mat
during the Windham/Westbrook/Gray New Gloucester prep
wrestling home meet against Kennebunk and Deering on
Wednesday, Dec. 29. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham/Westbrook/Gray New Gloucester wrestling team showed marked improvement last week in their first home meet of the season against Kennebunk and Deering. It was the first time local wrestlers hit the mat at a home gym since 2019.

Windham/Westbrook/GNG was persistent and fought until the end. They lost to Kennebunk 55-18 but came back to beat Deering 60-6.

Windham/Westbrook/GNG is improving every meet. They knew their match against Kennebunk was going to be a challenge and the match against Deering would have contenders in it too.

Kennebunk

Starting in the 113-weight class, Windham freshman Ayden Cofone got the pin against his opponent.

In the 160-weight class, GNG senior Owen McDuffie got control of a writhing opponent, took them to the mat with two forceful slams and pinned them after two periods.

McDuffie said he did okay and was hoping to pin a little quicker. He thought the team struggled in their meet against Kennebunk but had more energy against Deering which made a difference.

GNG junior Jason Hart had a powerful takedown against Kennebunk for the win in the 220-weight class.

Deering

In the 132-weight class, Westbrook sophomore Owen Pillsbury flipped over to avoid being pinned. A short time later, he pinned his challenger.

Windham sophomore Chris Harvey got the win and the pin in the 145-weight class.

Westbrook senior Zach Davis did the same in the 152-weight class. Davis went for his opponent’s legs, brought them to the mat and got the pin.

Windham junior Scott Ingalls held Deering to the mat in the 170-weight class, but they were able to get away. Ingalls then took them right to the mat with a stellar takedown and pinned them for the win.

“Every meet we got to think it’s going to be a dog fight,” said Ingalls.

He said that everybody fought hard, even in the tougher matches; they left nothing on the mat. Everybody wrestled their heart out.

In the 182-weight class, Windham senior Austin Goslant pinned his opponent.

Windham/Westbrook/GNG wrestling coach John Nicholas told the guys after a tough loss against Kennebunk to come out a little hungrier against Deering and they did just that. They got a lot of pins and a lot of takedowns, so he was happy they had a win to finish the day.

Nicholas was impressed with the intensity level of the team against Deering. In the match against Kennebunk, Nicholas said the team had a lot of fight; they battled right to the end and that’s all you can ask for. <

U-12 Windham girls' soccer team reaches state finals

Windham sixth-graders Madison Buzulchuck, left, hugs Ashley
Anderson with Morgan Clark and Anna Bowie in the background
after the final horn in Windham's 3-0 win over Kennebunk in
the youth soccer playoffs on Oct. 24 in Cumberland. 
PHOTO BY BRANDI GOOD 

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham Youth Soccer Association U12 girls’ team had a solid season and did very well in the playoffs. As they went into the postseason, they were 11^th seeded with a 2-4 record. Windham showed other towns just how tough they were and rose through the ranks to make it all the way to the state finals.

During the playoffs, Windham kept their opponents scoreless on the Lady Eagles’ road to the finals. Windham first defeated seventh seeded Cumberland, in Cumberland, 2-0 on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Next, Windham beat third seeded Kennebunk 3-0 on Sunday, Oct. 24 also played in Cumberland. During this game, Windham had great defense and goalkeeping.

Windham goalie and sixth grader Jennifer Schwarz had between eight and 10 good saves during the Kennebunk game. This win was revenge for Windham from a 3-1 loss to Kennebunk earlier in the season.

Windham took on second seeded Gorham on Sunday, Oct. 31 in Gorham. Windham sixth grader Emily Wardwell got a hat trick and scored all goals and Windham advanced to the state finals after an outstanding 3-0 win.

“I feel like we all learned a lot as the season went on,” said Windham sixth grader Madison Buzulchuck. “We knew we could make it to the finals as we were playing our best soccer going into the tournament and having a lot of fun doing it."

The state final game was against Scarborough at Hunter Road Fields in Freeport on Sunday, Nov. 7. Windham never gave up. After Scarborough scored in the first half, Windham played strong in the second half but couldn’t find a way to score. Windham played with a lot of heart and confidence, but came up short, 1-0.

Windham Youth Soccer Under-12 coach Ryan Buzulchuck said that he enjoyed getting to know the girls as this was his first year as their coach. The team worked hard all season and peaked at the right time as they entered the playoffs. As he watched Windham through the years, he always knew the talent and potential they had.

Buzulchuck said Windham played to the best of their ability; whenever they were on the field, they played with all the confidence in the world. He was excited to have been give the opportunity to coach alongside Jason Bowie.

Schwarz could not be happier with how the team played and fought during the finals. She said they were one, not 17 individuals.

“It was a lot of fun playing with my friends and it felt like the competition was harder this year, so we had to work harder and together to win,” said Windham sixth grader Ashyn Good. “Getting to state finals I was so happy for the team and felt proud to have contributed to that.” <

Windham Wood Bat League squad ends season with overall improvement

Windham junior Dylan Hanrahan takes a swing so hard that
his bat cracks in two during the Wood Bat League playoff
game at Sanford's Goodall Park on Friday, July 23.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

For the Beacon Pizza-sponsored Windham High School Wood Bat League baseball team, and it’s been a team-building season.

Since opening the year on June 15, their record of 1-13-1, does not reflect the progress the team has made at the plate and on the field. Windham took on Sanford at Goodall Park in Sanford on Friday, July 23 for the first game of the playoff season and despite Windham’s best efforts, Sanford advanced with a 13-0 win.

Windham got things going in the first inning against Sanford when junior Bob Wing crushed the ball and sent it to the outfield for a base hit. Junior Ethan Barker followed Wing and he also got a base hit. Junior Ryan Bernard was next to get on base after he sent the ball into the outfield. Wing put in a great effort to make it home but was tagged out.

In the bottom of the second inning, Windham showed concrete defense when sophomore Aiden Benish caught a pop fly and later Bernard did the same.

Sanford put two on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning.

Windham’s defense was ample in the third inning when sophomore Ryan Smyth and junior Nathan Jordan made great catches to send Sanford back to the dugout.

“We’ve definitely seen some improvements coming along,” said Windham Coach Cody Dube.  “It was nice tonight to have a consistent lineup for the whole game ... we took a lot of good at-bats; we’ve become more aggressive. If we’re striking out, we’re striking out swinging. The plate appearance improvement has been really nice to see.”

Bernard singled in the top of the fourth inning. Later, junior Dylan Hanrahan swung the bat so hard it split in two pieces.

Windham prevented Sanford from scoring a run in the bottom of the fifth when Wing threw the ball to junior Logan Marden who tagged a runner headed home.

The bottom of the sixth inning brought Wing with a stellar line drive catch.

Windham put up a good fight in the top of the seventh inning but could not catch Sanford.

“I think overall today we did really well at the plate,” said Marden. “We were being aggressive and hitting first pitch strikes. I think defensively the biggest thing was errors and we couldn’t come around to ourselves and make the ... plays that changed the game.”

In the Wood Bat League season, Marden felt the team hasn’t been able to come together and have some solid games. He said it was good to get out on the field and he thought that overall, everyone worked hard, the team was happy to play, and it was a fun season. <