Welcome to Mt Ararat High School Sports

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BOYS BASKETBALL VS OXFORD HILLS It was a longtime coming, but the boys finally got to taste the fruits of their labor by posting a 44-39 victory ... Read More

GIRLS BASKETBALL VS OXFORD HILLS Hell hath no fury like a Girls basketball team that has lost three straight (or something like that)... Read More

SWIMMING MID SEASON ROUNDUP The Swim team is about half way through their season and the swimmers' times are starting ... Read More

GIRLS HOCKEY VS YORK WILDCATS The MTA's girl's ice hockey team let the York Wildcats girls know they came to play today, after driving ... Read More

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Video Hi-Lites of Eagles 6-3 win over P-G-NG by Greg Emerson

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Eagles Trounce Vikings 57-39

Hell hath no fury like a Girls basketball team that has lost three straight (or something like that). The Eagles pronounced themselves alive and well as they both broke a mini three-game losing streak and avenged an early season loss to Oxford Hills, a game in which the Eagles led the entire game until the closing seconds. The Eagles made sure that would not happen again as they unleashed their balance attack and collectively shot 46% from the field and 77% from the foul line. Scoring was distributed evenly and two girls, Caitlyn LaFountain and Leah Hitchcock, registered double doubles. Caitlyn LaFountain led the Eagles with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Mallory Nelson added 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the floor, Leah Hitchcock bucketed 10 points, and Molly Estes threw in 8 more in an impressive return to form for the Eagles.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Boys Do It - Beat Oxford Hills 44-39

It was a longtime coming, but the boys finally got to taste the fruits of their labor by posting a 44-39 victory over Oxford Hills. The pre-game atmosphere was filled with air of excitement with the band playing and a large contingent of the the Swim team in attendance added to the electricity. Audrey Burns opened the ceremonies with another dazzling rendition of the star spangled banner. The stage was set for some basketball.

Oxford Hills jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening minute, but that lead lasted about as long as Kim Kardashian's marriage. A D J Cole three-pointer got the crowd right back into it and the Eagles seized the momentum. Josh Wright and Brandon Johansen converted free throws before D J Cole broke away for a lay up after a midcourt steal by Josh Wright. The basket gave the Eagles an 8-3 lead. The Vikings countered with a trey and a base line drive to tie it up at 8 all, before the Eagles rattled off nine consecutive points. Josh Wright hit a running right-hander and a couple of free throws. Tyler Charron nailed a three from the baseline. The Eagles were then playing for the last shot of the quarter and with the clock winding down, they lost control of the ball. Branden Johansen, who was a physical force throughout the game, scrambled for the loose ball, gathered it in, and banked it off the glass as the buzzer sounded to give the Eagles a 17-8 first quarter lead. It was their biggest lead of the season.

Oxford Hills started out the second quarter with a traditional three-point play followed by a basket to narrow the lead to 17-13. But once again the Eagles stepped up and responded. And once again it was Josh Wright and D J Cole who provided the impetus. D J book-ended a Josh Wright 15 foot fall away and free throw with three free throws of his own to give the Eagles a 23-14 halftime lead.

It was a very physical first half and that trend would continue throughout the game. The refs were letting the boys play. The Vikings came out determined in the second half and scored 5 points in the first minute before Coach Watson alertly called a time out. The Eagles calmed their nerves and restored their lead to 8 with buckets by Brandon Johansen and Mason Griffin, the latter coming off a nice Josh Wright to Brandon Johansen to Mason Griffin passing sequence. Josh again showed his passing acumen when he spotted Brett Martin underneath for a layup and a 29-20 lead. The Eagles again used some buzzer beating magic as Josh Wright hit a right-handed leaner in traffic to give the Eagles 31-24 lead after three.

Oxford Hills made another run to open the final stanza. A basket and a conventinal three-point play narrowed the lead to 31-29. D J Cole hit a three from the top of the key to stop the run, but the Vikings continued to fight back. With 3:08 remaining, a Viking free throw tied the game at 34. After the teams swapped possessions several times, Josh Wright Houdinied the ball to Alex Lapierre on the cut who layed it in and was fouled. Alex converted the free throw to complete the biggest three-point play of the year. The march to foul line began, but the Vikings were choosing the wrong people to foul. D J Cole calmly sank two free throws and Josh Wright showed ice water in his veins as he sank four consecutive free throws in the closing minute.

It was a great win for the Eagles and a big relief as no one wants to suffer through a winless season.

Post Game Interview with Josh Wright and Brett Martin (and special mystery guest)

Video of Girls and Boys Nordic Skiing at Maranacook Waves by Thomas & Greg Emerson

SWIMMING

Mid Season Swim Update

Click here to view a season summary of results for each athlete or here to view a season summary by event.

The Swim team is about half way through their season and the swimmers' times are starting to plummet as their hard work at practice begins to pay off. At the latest meet against Edward Little, swimmers submitted new personal bests 26 times.

For the Boys, Ben Wade has established himself as a top swimmer. This meet, Ben won the 50 Free in a team and personal best and also finished first in the 100 Breast. At the other end of the distance spectrum, Howard Lin swam to victory in the 500 Free lowering his time in each of the 500s he has swum this year. Howard also placed 2nd in the technically and physically demanding 100 Butterfly. Jameson Bryant torpedoed his way to 2nd place in the 50 and 5th place in the 100 Free. Alex Cornwall posted a 2nd place finish in the Breaststroke and 4th in the 100 Free. Will McCorkle registered a 2nd place finish in the 200 with a PR. Tim Prindall captured 3rd place in the Individual Medley in a PR. Ben Volk (PR) and Ben Davis finished 4th and 6th in the 200 Free and 100 Free respectively. Abbey Morgan finished 4th in the Breaststroke with a PR and also set a PR in the 50 Free.

Other boys who established PR's include Jameson Bryant leading off the 400 relay, Jake Schoenberg and Ismael Thadal in the 50 Free, and Ethan Foss and Josh Fergeson in the 100 Free.

The Girls were just as impressive. Hannah Kincaid won the 50 Free in a PR and finished 4th in the 100 Fly. Libby Ouellette captured the 100 Free and finished 3rd in the 100 Breast. Abby Parker picked up a couple of 2nd place finishes in both the 200 Meters and the 100 Back. Kasey Gerencer dropped down from the distances and swam to 3rd place in the Backstroke and 5th place in the 200, where she established a PR. Jade Green had an impressive night as she placed 2nd in the 500 and 4th in the 100 Free. Brittinni Littleford, the team's leather-lunged cheerleader, knocked off 24 seconds as she lowered her time for the 4th consecutive time in the 500 where she followed Jade Green to the touch pad in 4th place. Carrie Smith continued to display her bona fides as an outstanding all-around athlete as she finished in 4th place in the 50 Free and 5th in the Breaststroke in her first year of swimming.

Other girls who set PRs include Kayla Chamberlain who set two personal bests in both the 50 and leading off the 100 relay; Destiny Driver, who has lowered her time in the 50 in six consecutive meets; Kaelin Fisher, Nicole Labbay, Rebecca Lewis, Jennifer Thenor, who also has improved her time in every meet she has swum; and Sage Mahar.

You didn't think that I forgot about Celia Ouellette, did you? Celia without question is the best swimmer that has ever swum for Mt Ararat. It seems that every time Celia swims, she sets a new school record. And when Celia breaks a record, she doesn't just break it, she smashes it. This meet was no exception. The only difference was that the record she broke this meet wasn't one of her own. Celia already holds all the freestyle school records ranging from the 50 to the 500. This week she displayed her mastery of all strokes as she broke smashed the 200 Individual Medley which was held by Sarah Holt since 1995. Celia broke the record by 2.5 seconds which is a lifetime when using the pool sundial. I wouldn't be betting against Celia holding all the school records before she is done.

GIRLS HOCKEY

MTA Lady Eagles Tame York Wildcats 9-0

Special report by Ron 'Hutch' Hutchins

Saturday, Rochester, NH - The MTA's girl's ice hockey team let the York Wildcats girls know they came to play today, after driving 2 hours in a snowstorm.

The Eagles wasted no time finding the back of the York net. With only 1:54 off the clock, Brooke Shea (Kayla Pinkham) put in what would be the first of nine unanswered goals. At 9:18 Mikaila Cloutier (unassisted) took the puck coast to coast and snapped one over the shoulder of York 's rookie keeper, Julia Hird. Wildcat's Hird faced 7 shots with 3 saves. MTA's net tender, Keeley Bartolini cleared away 6 shots in the first.

Second period the Eagles were soaring all over York 's defensive end. Nellie Hetherington (Brooke Shea) put in the first goal of the period. Scoring her first goal of her career, Alicia Caterina (Hannah Zimmerman) was just pickin' up the trash! Kayla Pinkham (Mikaila Cloutier) found her way to the back of the net at 8:04 and then again Pinkham from Cloutier at 8:54 . The fifth and final goal for the period came from the quick hands of Renee Rossignol (unassisted) as she Snuck one under the leg pads of keeper Hird at 9:33 . Hird faced 12 shots with 7 saves while Eagle's Bartolini had 5 shots, 5 saves.

MTA was looking confident in third period play. Hard skating, heads up, skilled hockey is what the fans saw all period. Accurate stick to stick cross ice passing was thrilling to watch. Rachel Schoenberg (unassisted) lit the lamp just 33 seconds into the period. Nellie Hetherington (unassisted) fired a shot from just outside the York blueline and whistled it under the stick of Hird at 11:37 . York 's goalie faced a total of 19 shots with 10 saves. MTA coach's got a solid look at their future net tender Keeley Bartolini, as she cleared away 12 shots in the third and a total of 23 shots for a shutout on the day. MTA Coaches Hutchins, Zimmerman and Shea all commented on how relaxed Keeley was in the net, like Tim Thomas is - Her flow from side to side was smooth, she appeared to have confidence in her stick work with the puck and she looked liked she belonged there. Keeley was attentive to where the puck was at all times. All 3 agree that she did a really great job, obviously.

The Mt. Ararat Girl's Ice Hockey Team is now 8-5-1 for the season (51GF/29GA). MTA's next games are 01/29 Sunday, 1:50pm at USM Gorham vs The Huskies and 01/30 Monday, 7:10pm at Kents Hill vs The Kennebec Moose.

BOYS HOCKEY

Eagles Comeback Falls Short, Lose to Brunswick 3-2

The Eagles fell behind 3-0 before roaring back with a comeback attempt in the third period. But goals by Jeremy Williams and Ethan Tome were enough as Brunswick held onto a 3-2 lead for the victory.

It was a well played game by both sides and the spotlight was on the goalies, especially the Eagles Zach O'Connor, who shone throughout. O'Connor ended up with 26 saves, many of them of the spectacular variety.

Brunswick scored goals late in each of the first two periods, both coming around the 12 minute mark. The Dragons added the third and decisive goal early in the third. With the Eagles playing a man down, Jeremy Williams got the Eagles on the board and back into the game when he took a Ben Bishop pass, broke in alone and top-shelfed a shot over Brunswick goalie Blake Alexanders's shoulder. The Eagles continued to pressure and Evan Tome made it a one-goal game when he poked home a Jeremy Williams rebound with 2:48 left. But the clock was working against the Eagles and Brunswick hung to collect a hard-earned victory.

NORDIC SKIING

Emma Wood 2nd, Eagles 11th at Hornet Classic

In case you haven't noticed, there has not been a plethora of snow so far this winter. So little in fact that the first two meets were cancelled and the annual Hornet Classic had to change venues from Leavitt to the world-class facility at Black Mountain in Rumford, where snowmaking equipment made up for mother nature's quirkiness.

Despite the lack of snow, the Eagles Nordic Ski team has been preparing with plenty of dry land training. While certainly not as much fun, it certainly prepared the Eagles.

The Eagles finished 11th overall (out of 27 teams), which is pretty impressive. Even more impressive was Emma Wood's performance as she finished 2nd overall (out of 150 girls). Maggie Bouchard picked up right where she left off last year with a 20th place finish. New comer Laurel Streeter finished 108, closely followed by veterans Addie Schneider (109) and Dani Ingle (114). Eloise Melcher (129) and Sara Getchell (137) had strong races in the first competition of the year on a bitterly cold and windy, yet sunny day.

For the Boys, Sam Wood (28), Nate McKenzie (55), and Jamie McCracken (67) paced the Eagles with Thomas Emerson (126) and Connor Read (130) submitting strong performances in the opening meet of the season. More than 180 athletes participated in the Boys event.

Boys Nordic Ski Race by Greg Emerson & Family

INDOOR TRACK

Mt Ararat Track Meet in 10 Minutes by Greg Emerson

Watch the hi-lites from the Mt Ararat track meet featuring more than 50 Eagle athletes.

Jan 13, 2011 - Eagles Finish 3rd

It's been a while since we've seen the Eagles in competition, so we were expecting to see some fireworks (legal in Topsham, banned in Brunswick). Technically the Eagles were hosts to schools from 7 other zip codes, so there was no shortage of runners. Makes for a long meet, but plenty of quality competition. Let's start off with the hi-lites. First, Maddison Prescott won the Long Jumg establishing a new school record with a leap of 16-01.00 breaking the old record of 15-11.50 held jointly by a couple of MTA track luminaries, Maureen Morin (2/18/1980) and Beth Wilcox (2/15/2005). Maddison also finished 2nd in the Triple Jump and 2nd in the 55 Meter dash. The other hi-lite was a KVAC record setting run by Brunswick's Alex Nichols, who edged out McKenzie Gary in the 400 in a time of 51.50. MacKenzie ran a season's best of 51.90. We all look forward to seeing these two runners face off in upcoming meets with more record setting performances. Some might say McKenzie had an off day, but an off day for McKenzie is a dream-like day for the rest of us. McKenzie won the Long Jump and ran the anchor leg of the 4 x 800. You read that right, McKenzie ran the 4 x 800 (which by the way was before his 400 event),

There were plenty of other bright moments. Nick Oram continued to showcase his versatility and talents, not to mention his free-spiritedness, with a first place finish in the Hurdles. Nick also ran the 4 x 800 and the mile as he continues to sample the smorgasboard of events that track offers. Will Hirnak won the 800 in a sizzling 2:03.74. Ryan Smith was right behind him in 3rd place. The Eagles have a stable full of strong runners in the 400, and they let a couple of stallions loose to try and chase down McKenzie. Colton Burne and Seth Bryant finished 4-5 respectively behind McKenzie. In the 200, Derine Gnidehoue and the original 'Stallion', Ty Veno scored points with a 6-7 place finish. Darine Gnidehoue finished 7th in the 55 Meters, followed by Ryan Smith.

In the Mile, Nathan Bryant led the Eagles with a 3rd place finish in 4:49 and brother Seth scored points with a 7th place finish in the 2 Mile.

In the field events, McKenzie Gary won the Long Jump and up-and-coming Andrew McCracken finished 2nd in the Pole Vault clearing 9-06. Tim Brown finished 4th with a vault of 8-06. Robert Cornelison was 6th in the Shot Put and finished a very respectable 8th in the 200, a perfect combination of speed and strengh.

For the Girls, Kelly Lynch continues to develop into one of the premier distance runners in the state with a win in the 2 Mile smashing through the 12 minute barries with a time of 11:52. Lauren McNett finished 3rd in the 2 mile and doubled in the Mile with a 3rd place finish as she cut a monstrous 9 seconds off her season best. Alicia Eggleston continues to impress, running a solid 2:35 good for 5th place in the 800. Lizzie O'Neal competed in perhaps the two most demanding events in indoor track, the 400 and the 55 Hurdles, ran a strong 400 to finish 4th and also finished 4th in a very competitve 55 Hurdles field. Emma Chase also ran a strong race in the 400 finishing 7th followed by two impressive freshman, Lauren Grant (8) and Alyssa Scannevin (9). Tracy Tran showed her mastery of the hurdling technique with a 7th place finish.

In the field events, besides Maddison Prescott's heroic 1st and 2nd place finishes in the Long Jump and Triple Jump, Lauren Grant finished 6 and 7th in each event. Sydni Clark set a PR in the Triple Jump as she finished 9th. The Girls continue to develop in the Shot Put under the watchful eye of Vantiel Elizabeth Duncan. Vantiel has the girls smiling, having fun, and improving. Katie Frizzle (3rd), Danielle Krausse, and Kim Leslie all had PRs. Kathleen Bodmer finished 8th in the Shot and hit a season high in the High Jump good for 5th place. Sydni Clark finished 8th. Click here to view slideshows.

WRESTLING

Wrestling Update

Wrestling is a tough sport. It requires mental, physical, and dietary discipline. It requires strength, agility, bursts of energy, and endurance. It involves strategy, ability to adapt spontaneously to the immediate situation, and the ability to react and execute. Meets are long, often with long periods between matches which sometimes provide opportunity for rest and sometimes provide loss of focus. It is a physically punishing sport.

Mt Ararat has a very young team with ony two seniors on the team, Corey Allen and Max Mondonedo. Corey is a veteran and Max is a newbie. Both have have enjoyed good results. Junior Danny Ewing is another veteran who is having a successful season and continues to improve. Joey Burr has all the physical and mental requisites, and as a first year wrestler he he is quickly learning the techniques. Other juniors include Felipe Gunter, Jacob Kenney, Zach Gray and Chad Pine, who all have enjoyed success. The Eagles have nine freshman so the future looks bright.

Wrestling fans also get to see Brunswick's Jared Jensen at every Eagles' meet. He is the type of wrestler where you want to be able to say "You saw him when." Jared is a potential state champion and provides transfer of knowledge and technique to the Eagles wrestlers during practice.

Wrestling is more than sport. It is a character building activity. Ask any employer and they will tell you if a job applicant is a former wrestler, they have an automatic advantage over other applicants.

The Eagles are off to their annual participation in the Essex Junction (VT) Touranment which is always a great experience for our wrestlers.

Check out some videos of wrestling action and interviews here.

Brooke Smith sings the National Anthem

Eagles score vs Brunswick

It's actually Annie McIntyre who scored assisted by Devon Hutchins.

Celia Ouellette Incredible Finish in Girls 400 Yard Relay vs Morse

Click here to see 7 new videos from the Morse meet as well as earlier videos from the Lewiston meet.

Audrey Burns sings the National Anthem at the Boys Basketball Game vs Messalonskee

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