MANCHESTER, NH – The fields outside are mostly covered in snow or ice. However, things are heating up inside the gymnasium, the pool and outside on slopes and trails throughout the Granite State as athletes and coaches at Manchester Memorial High School prepare for the winter sports season to begin over the upcoming weeks. Here’s a preseason glance at each team:
Alpine skiing
Head coach:
– Tara Michaud (1st season as head coach after 2 years as assistant alpine skiing coach and experience coaching varsity volleyball at Memorial)
Key returners:
– Madisson McCafferty (Captain)
– Zach Telge (Captain)
Promising newcomers:
– Giulia Gazzella (Exchange student from Italy)
Potential challenges:
“Weather is our biggest challenge. Warm weather causes slushy conditions, not ideal for racing; extreme cold weather can cause icy conditions which are also ideal for racing.” – Michaud
Expectations:
“I expect to head back to the Meet of Champions again this year and break some PR records throughout the season.” – Michaud
Swimming
Head coach: Steve VanDerBeken
Key returners:
– Ryan White (Captain)
– Ted Stevens (Captain)
– Dakota Scribner
– Grace McDonald
– Madylyn Harrington
– Abby Proulx
– Mya Woo
– Chantel Sanchez
Promising newcomers:
– Emma Wallace
– Maecyn White
– Eli Marziano
– Sam Stevens
Early season results:
Ryan White and Maecyn White made qualifying times for the NHIAA State Championship Meet at Manchester’s Dec. 9 meet at Bedford.
Upcoming meet:
Manchester’s four city high schools, including Memorial, have their second meet at Goffstown’s Allard Center on Tuesday, Dec. 17 against Goffstown, Bow, Merrimack and Bishop Brady.
Wrestling
Head coach:
– Craig Whittick (4th season)
Last season:
– 4-12
– Four wrestlers qualified for Meet of Champions
– Two placed (including Jayden Kuilan who was runner up at D-I and MOCs. He also qualified for New England’s and beat a Massachusetts state champion in his first match)
Top returners:
– Jayden Kuilan (Senior captain)
– Dom Rowell (Senior captain)
– Caiden Wyman (Senior captains)
– Tavin Bland
– Nasr Abbari
– Jyzeah Almonte
– Cam Girardi
Promising newcomers:
– Isaiah Leary Hernandez
– Michelle Kiev
– Mike Hicks
Potential challenges:
“Having holes in the lineup, tough to compete in a dual meet when giving up points to start off. However we will be a tough tournament team and should have multiple athletes placing on a regular basis.” – Whittick
Expectations:
“My expectations are always going to be high. Having a returning athlete who was a state finalist sets the tone in the room for the younger athletes. We cannot make excuses, we just have to go out there and wrestle tough.” – Whittick
Girls basketball
Head coach:
– Lauren Gaudette (1st season)
Last season:
– 5-13 (missed the playoffs)
Key returners:
– Avery Jenkins (Sophomore)
– Jenavyzia Collazo (Sophomore)
– Jaelyn Hartford (Sophomore)
– Ashlyn Bartnicki (Senior)
– Elizabeth Champagne (Senior)
– Kelly Legallo (Senior)
Promising newcomers:
– JoJo Alley (Junior)
– Taylor Angerami (Sophomore)
– Taelyn Gould-Poulin (Freshman)
Potential challenges:
“We are building really special here, so it’s going to take some time to solidify a lot of things, but we’ve started really well! Our offense might take some time to gel, but we’re excited about how we play defense.” – Gaudette
Expectations:
“As I mentioned, we’re building something special here, and if we all can build the foundation this year while finding ways to grow and improve. I can’t say how many games we’ll win, but this season can be the start of something great!” – Gaudette
Indoor track
Head coach:
– Leanne Guimond (3rd season)
Top returners:
– Jordan Courter (Junior captain)
– Hannah Rodriguez (Senior captain)
Promising newcomers:
– Deijah Roberson (Senior, but brand new at the sport)
“She is bringing awesome energy!” – Guimond
Expectations:
“Each athlete will consistently work toward their personal goals on the track in order to help the team perform well as a whole.” – Guimond
Boys basketball
Head coach:
– Danny Bryson (8th season)
Last season:
– 7-11 (missed the playoffs)
Key returners:
– Bory Bory (Captain)
– Devin Lavallee (Captain)
– Joel Gomez (Captain)
– Jack Brooks
– Christian Bill
Promising newcomers:
– Aging Aging
– Jake Ornelas
– Eldan Taric
– Dylan Jolicoeur
Biggest challenge:
– Staying consistent
Expectations:
– Playoffs
– Host a home game
Note: All coaches have been contacted for this article. The teams of those who responded are featured here.