Fall sports teams get underway

DIXFIELD -- A new sports season is upon us, with preseason practices underway.

Hopefully, the student-athletes had entered in to a physical-training program, prior to the organized drilling. If not, odds are there is numerous sore and aching muscles, combined with those individual's grasping for oxygen.

Athletic Directors Chris Moreau of Dirigo and Al Cayer of MV each held mandatory meetings with respective coaches, student-athletes and parents. The meetings were designed to go over procedures, expectations, fan decorum and to answer questions.

The preparation for the upcoming seasons has actually been on going all summer.

"Our teams all worked very hard over the summer," said Moreau. "And we are excited about the season. It is not going to be easy to replace the senior class from last year - but I am fully confident that the Cougars will be roaring loudly this fall."

During the previous school year, a check was done - due to wear and tear - on all equipment, facilities, etc. At Dirigo, there was little in the way of construction for the fall season. They continue to work on the new softball field behind the central office (Nash Street), and the portable field hockey scoreboard needed to be fixed.

"Our facilities remains one of the best in the Mtn. Valley Conference," said Moreau. "The credit goes to Clint Doloff for his tireless efforts in keeping the grass as plush and green as it is through this hot dry summer."

Cougar boys soccer and x-country have received new uniforms, thanks to the generosity of our boosters group. Todd Papiano is the new head coach for boys' soccer at Mountain Valley and JT Taylor is the junior varsity coach.

"Everything pretty much status quo," said Cayer. "We have veteran football and field hockey staffs. Girls' soccer had a nice season last year and Jason (Perrault) should have some pretty good talent. Boys' soccer needs to step it up and the golf team has a veteran coach with some talent."

The only new hires at Dirigo were JV field hockey - Erin Wainwright and Tanya Perrault.

The lights at Harlow Park has been a wonderful addition and Dirigo continues to work diligently to ensure that the lights do not negatively affect the local community "while at the same time providing our student athletes with an amazing experience of playing under them," said Moreau. "Our fans were and continue to be some of the best around. They cheer loudly and proudly for our student athletes and I am happy to say we had little 'issues' to deal with."

The Harlow Park/DHS campus is the social center of town and the facilities are always buzzing with activity - it just takes planning and everyone working together to avoid any conflicts. All groups that use the facilities work very well together and the lines of communication are wide open.

The Hosmer Field Complex is under direction of Mike Mills and the Rumford Parks Department.

Dirigo Cross Country made inroads on the regional and state levels under coach Gunnar Bradbury. The girls placed fifth, best finish ever at states, and Natalie Bolduc placed fifth.