Leavitt outdoor track and field 2017 preview

Coach: Boys: Jamie Juntura (third year); Girls: Sara Thurston (first year).

Class: B; Conference: Kennebec Valley.

Last year’s results: Boys: KVAC champions, fifth at state meet; Girls: eighth in KVAC, 19th at state meet.

Returning athletes: Boys: Seniors — DeAndre James (sprints), Jason Labbe (distance), Noah Lind (mid-distance), Isaiah Andreis (mid-distance); Juniors — Caleb Bowen, Ryan Pratt, Colton Santomango; Sophomore — Roy Varney. Girls: Seniors — Allie Belaire (throws), Shannon O’Malley (sprints), Julia Labbe (distance), Kayleigh Cote (mid-distance), Miranda Coombs (jumps); Juniors — Nicole Daigle, Keragan Davis, Sam Martineau; Sophomores — Tamra Benson, Kristen Roux.

Key losses: Boys: Billy Bedard, Nathanael Goullette, Noah Hutchinson, Joey Baumann. Girls: Ashley Pratt.

Promising newcomers: Seniors — Noah Pierce, Allessandro Ravizzotti; Juniors — Aidan Parmenter; Bryce Pelletier; Freshmen — Trevor Gaudin, Riley Parmenter, Chase Rowe. Girls: Junior — Hyla Webster; Freshmen — Aaliya Trask, Ava Pertrin, Alex Hawksley, Chloe Bellgarde.

Season outlook: The Leavitt girls have several returners and expect to be a force in all events. Those veterans have been diligently working to increase their differences and drive their times down. The newcomers have displayed a work ethic that should make them a strong supplement to the returning seniors and juniors. The Leavitt boys’ team has again increased in size, which should make it a more well-rounded squad with scoring potential in each area this season. Strong sprinters graduated last year, but the returners and rookies are working to fill the void left. Juntura says to expect the unexpected from the Leavitt boys this season.