Auburn News : Manchester

City must continue tax payments to Auburn

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:27:00 GMT

BY GRETYL MACALASTER

Manchester Water Works will continue paying the same tax rate this year after a case against the town of Auburn filed by the city department has been dismissed by a Superior Court judge.

Last year, Manchester Water Works filed a petition in Rockingham County Superior Court seeking abatement and a refund of the 2007 payment made in lieu of taxes to Auburn because the land had been placed into a conservation easement.

Manchester Water Works argued that Auburn imposed an “unlawful, excessive, inequitable, disproportionate and unjust payment in lieu of taxes” upon the property, “ignoring” the conservation easement, according to the court decision.

The town had denied the request for abatement and refund, arguing that the conservation easement is not valid and should not be taken into consideration in assessing property values for tax-related purposes.

One issue raised was that the easement was not placed in perpetuity, but allows the department to withdraw with 30 years’ notice.

Auburn Town Manager Bill Herman said the statute is very clear that a public entity, including a public water supply entity that holds land in another community is not entitled to the same abatement a typical property owner would be.

Tom Bowen, director of Manchester Water Works said that is true with regard to current use, but not with regard to a regular conservation easement, Justice John M. Lewis concluded that the town acted within proper bounds in not considering the easement in determining the value of the property for tax-related purposes and in arriving at its calculation of the due payment in lieu of taxes and dismissed the case.

“...certainly in connection with allowable ‘current use’ status, the Legislature has evinced a definite unwillingness to permit a water works entity like Manchester Water Works to at all avail itself of the use of a ‘conservation restriction’ to reduce its payment in lieu of taxes,” Lewis wrote in his decision.

Bowen said the department was not seeking current use status. “The values are set quite a bit lower in current use than what we were requesting,” Bowen said.

Bowen said they are disappointed in the decision.

“We thought that based on advice from our attorney that we were on strong legal ground. We were actually surprised that the case was dismissed,” Bowen said.

Bowen said the intent of the easement was to protect the watershed property.

“The property is not protected for the long term. We thought that by placing it into a conservation easement, it would help protect our customers,” Bowen said. “There are obviously some tax implications to it which is also beneficial to our customers.”

Manchester Water Works services about 160,000 people in the city and five surrounding towns. It is the largest landowner in Auburn, with about 4,000 acres of property around Lake Massabesic, the source of the water supply.

Herman said their payment in lieu of taxes is about $705,000.

“In total, the Manchester Water Works’ payment in lieu of taxes represents close to 16 (percent) of the total revenue the Town of Auburn receives in a year. A reduction in that revenue would have a significant impact on the property taxpayers of Auburn,” Herman said.

Bowen said he just received the decision on March 18 and has not yet had a meeting with legal counsel about whether they will appeal the decision or what other alternatives there may be.

He clarified that the motion to dismiss was based on the law itself, not the merits of the case.

Memorial’s spirited comeback answered decisively by state champs

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:05:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Manchester Memorial’s players erupted in a raucous celebration on the sidelines after erasing a 2-0 deficit late in the second half of its semifinal match against top-seeded Pinkerton Academy.

Eighteen seconds later, the Crusaders had nothing left to be excited about.

Pinkerton and Memorial combined to score six goals in the second half of their Class L contest on Nov. 4, but the Astros bounced back to score the final two, advancing to the title game and winning against Concord, 1-0.

After a scoreless first half, Pinkerton scored just 49 seconds into the second frame.

“That’s just poor halftime coaching on my part,” said Paul Ostberg, Memorial’s mentor. “It’s just the signature of a championship team to come out that quick, and for us it was the signature of a fourth-seeded team.”

After a second Astros goal made the score 2-0, the Crusaders’ postseason chances appeared slim, but with 16:35 remaining, freshman Peguy Ngatcha made a spin move inside the box and fired a shot off the crossbar.

Though Ngatcha’s shot didn’t go in, Sean MacDonald’s rebound did, cutting the lead in half. Less than eight minutes later, the Crusaders took advantage of a loose ball following a collision with the Pinkerton goalie, and MacDonald notched the gametying score, igniting the Memorial bench.

“We changed our formation up, and that really opened up the offensive game,” said Ostberg. “When we scored the second (goal), we stayed in our 3-4-3 formation. We really didn’t expect them to score that quickly.”

Following the equalizer, Pinkerton carried the ball down the field, putting a shot on goal that bounced back out to Michael Wanelik, who found the back of the net.

The Astros sealed their spot in the finals when Wanelik dropped a chip shot into the net from 45 yards out, leaving the Crusaders down two goals with 4:07 left.

In recent years Memorial has been knocked out of the tournament early, something that has frustrated Ostberg.

“We need to get used to playing more playoff games. It comes down to one mistake, one chance. Every little thing is magnified,” said Ostberg. “This is like a recurring nightmare for me.”

For Sweeney, even a rebuilding year includes playoff appearance

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:28:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

David Flurey doesn’t like admitting it, but in the back of his mind he had to set the bar a little lower.

After all, his Sweeney Post 2 American Legion baseball team lost 10 players, including seven starters, after winning the state title in 2007 and earning a second trip to regionals in four years, its third in the last six.

Yet at the end of a grueling 18- game run, through rain and hot weather, Sweeney was, well, still Sweeney.

The Manchester squad scrapped to an 11-7 regular season and earned one of four District A playoff berths.

“I think we overachieved a little, especially coming off last year’s team, which may not have been the best, talent-wise, but believed they were the best,” said Flurey. “This was definitely a rebuilding year, and these kids exceeded the expectations of most.”

So even though Post 2 was bumped from the tourney following a 9-1 opening-round setback to Derry and a 12-10 loss to Hudson on day two, Flurey said the basic characteristics necessary to play for Sweeney were still clear in each of his players.

“We had a lot of physical and mental mistakes throughout the year, but the team definitely fought hard,” he said. “There was no quit in these players, regardless of the score, and that’s the type of kid that’s fortunate to play for Sweeney.”

In the final contest, Post 2 fell behind, 10-5, but came back to tie the contest in the eighth, before ultimately succumbing to Hudson’s relentless bats.

Still, minus the veteran leadership of 2007, Flurey said this year’s team demonstrated it could compete with any squad in the state. That’s no surprise considering Sweeney has 29 titles since the tournament was established in 1928 – a total far exceeding any foe’s.

Sweeney hosts the 2009 regional tournament in Manchester. Though that responsibility earns the host an automatic spot, Flurey said the expectation remains no less than state title No. 30. “The mentality of any kid that plays for Sweeney … they put the uniform on and they expect to win right up until the season’s over. They believe that, and that’s something that can’t be taught, it’s just a mindset and a tradition that’s been carried on through the years,” said Flurey.

The lone starters returning from last year were Manchester Memorial standout Kyle Morrill of Auburn, who plays baseball for Keene State College next spring, and his high school teammate Tyler Poltak.

While Poltak’s eligibility is gone, along with Victor Noel, Matt Keddie, John Goeman and Candia’s Zach Lemire, Morrill is expected to return.

Others likely to sport Sweeney navy blue and red again next season include Auburn’s Timothy Gregoire and John Kalliel, Hooksett’s Zac Harisiades and Manchester’s Shane Beauchemin, William Dubois, Matt Flynn, Zachary Hartshorn, Kyle Levesque, Shane Murphy, Matt Rosa and Michael Walters.

After two impressive wins, Memorial eliminated in semifinal

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:40:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

If you had asked him two weeks ago if his Memorial baseball team would be playing in the Class L semifinals, Don Menswar would have been more likely to laugh than nod. Yet that’s exactly where the No. 15 Crusaders ended up, facing third-seeded Goffstown at Nashua’s Holman Stadium on June 11.

And had it not been for an early missed opportunity, Menswar may very well have been preparing his team for the state title game.

Instead, Memorial found itself on the losing end of a 4-1 score.

With two outs and the bases loaded after a Kyle Morrill single in the first inning, a baserunning error at third base signaled a change in momentum. Two Memorial errors and two subsequent Goffstown runs in the bottom of the frame affirmed the shift.

“I told them after the game they have no right to hang their heads,” said Menswar. “You know, with beating a team like (No. 2) Keene, with beating a team like (No. 7 Pinkerton) and giving Goffstown all they wanted, I’m proud of these kids.

“They battled, but you know, against a team like Goffstown … we had (pitcher) Matt Gifford on the ropes in inning one. But they made the plays, and we didn’t.”

One person not surprised to see Memorial in the semis was Grizzlies coach Matt Benson. “The south end (of Manchester) always has good baseball players. Memorial is an outstanding … baseball school, and they’re notorious for that,” said Benson. “Those kids play baseball all summer, Sweeney Post is an outstanding program, and those kids, they know how to win. They know how to play tournament baseball. I could have easily seen them winning, no problem.”

Menswar said his players, at least until very recently, underachieved throughout 2008, and he noted next season may be an even greater challenge.

“We have six kids coming back,” said the manager. “The biggest message they have to get is you’ve got to scrap and battle every inning, and that’s what they learned in the playoffs that they didn’t in the regular season.”

There may have been no better example of how to conduct oneself on the field than Auburn’s Morrill, who sacrificed his high school pitching career to dedicate himself to solidifying the team’s defense as shortstop.

“You don’t replace a kid like Kyle,” said Menswar. “Kyle Morrill is a kid who as a sophomore came up for us and pitched two dynamite games for us and helped us win the tournament. He’s a class kid from a class family, and Keene State (College) is lucky to have him next season.”

Sub-.500 Memorial two wins from state championship

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:49:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

As Pinkerton baseball manager Ron Manseau and his players boarded their bus, heads hung in defeat, a voice from behind called out. “Hey, did you guys catch something, or what?” “We caught something alright,” replied Manseau. “We caught lighting.”

The shock came when the seventh-seeded Astros fell via the mercy rule, 10-0, to Manchester Memorial, the No. 15 seed, in the quarterfinals of the Class L tournament.

“We haven’t been ‘10- runned’ all year, so it’s kind of embarrassing,” said Manseau. “It started with the Keene game, and (Memorial) just started putting it together at the right time. We ran into a buzzsaw. What can I say?”

Indeed, after a 7-12 regular season, the Crusaders used a two-week layoff to regroup before upsetting 16-win and No. 2-seeded Keene, 8-4, in the opening round of the playoffs.

“’I’m not going to say those two weeks helped us, but it got our 10 seniors in a frame of mind where they realized this year is it,” said Memorial’s manager, Don Menswar. “And now that every game could be their last day, they’re at a point where they’re playing like we expected them to all season.”

The team showed hardly a glimpse of its current form during the regular season, so add Menswar to the list of those surprised by the recent developments.

“We were averaging six walks a game, three errors, a couple hit batsmen. We’d win a ball game here and there, but it’d be 15-14,” he said. “We lost our last three … I really wasn’t confident in this team. I mean, we haven’t done this all year. Forget up and down, we’ve been down. We flat-out struggled all year.”

But Menswar credits his seniors, including Kyle Morrill of Auburn, for turning the season around at the right time. “We’re gelling at the right time,” said the coach. “We’re throwing strikes. We’re getting hits in timely situations. We’re not making errors. We’re just playing good, good Memorial baseball.”

Even up 10 runs against Pinkerton, however, the Crusaders were kept on their toes. Twice the players ran out of the dugout and onto the field in jubilation. Twice they were sent back.

On the third attempt, Memorial was finally allowed to celebrate its accomplishment.

An umpire first called the game based on the 10-run Class L mercy rule, another stepped in and said the procedure applied only to opening-round games. After a conference, the officials changed their minds three more times until finally Memorial was declared the winner and sent to the semifinals against No. 3 Goffstown. The contest was scheduled for Wednesday, June 11.

“We’re on a roll,” said Menswar. “They’re as good as we expected, and we’ve been telling them all year that they’re this good, and they didn’t believe it. I don’t know, maybe they’re believing it now.”

Local towns wait to see what Manchester will do with high school budget cuts

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:56:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

With the Manchester Board of School Committee having announced several times they would not authorize the dissemination of 80 pink slips to teachers in Manchester schools this year, communities holding tuition contracts with Manchester’s school district are breathing a wary sigh of relief as they wonder how the funding will play out.

“I’m guardedly optimistic,” said Elaine Hobbs, chairman of the Auburn School Board. “I think that the Manchester Board of School Committee is working really hard to make sure that the students within the Manchester school district are provided with the best education they could possibly get.”

The deadline for layoff notifications has come and gone, but a few teachers have left for other positions in anticipation of losing their jobs.

Hooksett, Auburn, Candia and Bedford all have tuition contracts with Manchester that stipulate class sizes remain under 30 students and that nothing happens that jeopardizes Manchester schools’ accreditation.

Since the city of Manchester’s public budget meeting on April 28, which about 2,000 people attended, the Manchester Board of School Committee has reiterated three times that they would not issue pink slips to teachers in the district.

The Board of School Committee asked for $153 million to cover the costs for the district in 2008-09, but Mayor Frank Guinta cut that to $140 million.

While school expenses comprise about half of the city’s overall $276 million budget proposal, the school budget number is $7.3 million less than the district’s 2007-08 appropriation.

Manchester’s Board of Aldermen must approve a budget for the city, including the school district’s portion of the budget, by June 10.

Some aldermen have said they would be happy with tax increases of between 2 to 4 percent, or a budget around $145 million, for the school district. A school appropriation of $145 million would still be $2.3 million less than what they’ve been authorized to spend this year.

The sending towns had scheduled a non-public meeting with Guinta on Tuesday, May 13, to discuss the budgetary impacts on students from those towns. While not all board members from the sending towns would be attending the meeting, Hooksett School Board Chairman Maura Ouellette said she would be there.

“I don’t think it’s my place to comment on what dollar amount the Manchester School District budget should be. I think it’s our responsibility as a sending town to be sure that Manchester is adhering to the terms of the tuition agreement,” said Ouellette.

“My concern is with the quality of the educational experience of our students attending Manchester high schools. The sending towns have lived up to their end of the tuition agreement and we fully expect Manchester to do the same,” she added.

All four school districts sent letters from their attorneys to Manchester reminding them of their obligation to maintain class sizes and accreditation status in keeping with the terms of their contracts.

While the boards of the sending towns agreed it is a waiting game for them, they added they are watching the situation closely to see what direction should be taken.

“Passing a budget of any number does not put Manchester in violation of the contract,” said Candia School Board Chairman Ed Caito. “At this point, I think we have to let the budget process play itself out in Manchester.”

Ouellette said part of the problem may lie in Manchester’s timing in developing their budget.

“If it were done earlier in the year, as is done in Hooksett, there wouldn’t be the need to even consider pink slips to the staff. Everyone would know well in advance what the budget would be for the following year,” she said.

Memorial’s first-ever varsity victory buoys team’s morale

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:08:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

With his boys lacrosse team led by a stingy defense and a solid core of veterans, Memorial coach Joe Bernier said it may finally be time to accumulate some wins.

In fact, the Crusaders notched the first Division I victory in the program’s fouryear history on April 14, a 6-5 triumph over Nashua South – a playoff team last season. Memorial overcame a 4-1 fourth-quarter deficit to win the contest.

“That was a huge step for us because it kind of showed the kids we’re worthy of competing in Division I,” said Bernier. “Before that we always just entered games assuming we were going to get killed, so it was nice to build some confidence.”

Because Memorial has no funding for a junior varsity or freshman team, however, Bernier said it’s tough for his program to be competitive in D-I with the likes of Bishop Guertin, Pinkerton, Hanover and Exeter. All have deep player pools.

The good news this year, said Bernier, is the Crusaders get through most of their tough opponents by midseason, which gives them the opportunity to string some wins together and pick up momentum. Heck, they may even sneak into the playoffs.

“We’re definitely much improved over last year and absolutely the most competitive team Memorial has had yet,” said Bernier. “I’m really excited about this team’s potential this season.”

Senior captains Jack Croasdale, TJ Burkish, Pat Bresnahan and Cody Kelley led the Crusaders.

Croasdale, who won the team’s MVP last season, and Burkish anchor a “tough as nails” defense, while Kelley, a long-stick midfielder, and Bresnahan handle the team’s transition game.

Croasdale plans to play prep school lacrosse next season. Bresnahan, the team leader in goals and assists, has been recruited to play at LaSalle University, said Bernier. Both are likely all-staters, and Kelley may earn the honor as well, he added.

Auburn’s Steve Delahanty, a junior attacker, is one of the hardest workers and most versatile players on the team, said Bernier of the third-year starter.

Attacker Brandon McMaster, who started every game as a freshman, is as good a sophomore as you will find in the state and will likely play college lacrosse, said his coach.

Another sophomore, Dillan Norcross, started all but three games on defense last year and is another player Bernier said he’s excited to watch develop. Senior goalie Richard Kelley provides the team with solid play in net, said Bernier.

Also on this year’s team are seniors Scott Morin, Mike Marshhausen and Adam Pike; juniors Josh Lee, Corey Bartlett, Chris Brunelli, Shawn Mancini, Cody Quinn, Pat McLaughlin and Joey Mason; sophomores Mike Marcotte, Jon-Luc Gagnon, Chris Emery, Pat Lewis and Nick Voight; and freshman Eric O’Connell.

City’s proposed high school cuts scare parents, students; April 28 meeting set

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:34:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Parents of high school students being tuitioned to Manchester schools may want to attend a meeting at Manchester Memorial High School on Monday, April 28, at 6 p.m., to discuss the proposed staffing and programming cuts the fiscal year 2009 Manchester school budget will bring.

School officials have been grappling with the gouging cuts after Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta requested the city’s Board of Aldermen reduce the district’s budget from $153 million to $140 million for the coming year.

Many teaching and administrative positions in all Manchester schools are being cut from the budget to realize the savings, including the eight assistant principals recently given notice of possible layoffs.

Music, art, ROTC, full-day kindergarten and athletics have also been cut from the budget, leaving many parents worried about the quality of education and level of character-building Manchester schools will now provide.

Many Hooksett students attend West High School, where the phasing out of Bedford students, thanks to a new high school in Bedford, has left a $7 million shortfall in expected revenues.

Auburn and Candia high school students are also tuitioned to Manchester high schools. Chris Martin, director of fine arts for the Manchester School District, holds one of the many positions being cut from the budget.

Eliminating this position puts extra duties on the even slimmer music staff in place, some of whom are also being cut.

“I think this community appreciates the arts. The community needs to speak out about what’s important to it,” said Martin.

Hooksett resident Tom Shepherd, whose daughter, Julia, 8, will one day attend a Manchester high school – unless Hooksett eventually decides to build its own high school, calls it an idea some residents support. “We keep paying more for education in Manchester and getting less out of it. It’s like any investment,” Shepherd said. “At some point, you have to evaluate the investment and say we’re not getting the return.”

Martin said it’s hard to say what else could be cut from the budget to save money when revenues have fallen so flat for the district.

“If I could think of a way for a public education to be a revenue- generating source, I would win a Nobel prize,” Martin said. “Unfortunately, we are dependent on the tax dollar and right now that’s not a healthy position for us to be in, given the state of the economy.”

Gagnon, among all Manchester grapplers, reaches New Englands

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:24:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Among city schools competing at the Meet of Champions, it was Manchester Memorial finishing highest with 20 points to Central’s 13 and West’s 10.

That’s due, in large part, to Jacob Gagnon’s second-place finish in the 215-pound weight class at the meet on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Londonderry High School.

As one of eight grapplers to reach the MOC from Queen City schools, the Memorial standout repeated his Division I performance, making it to the finale and losing to Concord’s Marshall Gleason. He was pinned the first meeting, but lost a 9-7 decision this time around.

The effort earned the Gagnon a trip to the New England Championship on Friday, Feb. 29, and Saturday, March 1, in Lowell, Mass., where he won the Lowell Holiday Tournament in December.

Central’s Juan Taveras came in fifth place by pinning Bow’s Jim Paveglio.

West 135-pounder Jared Crain of Bedford, who took second at the D-I meet, and 145- pounder Casey Bradford each finished sixth.

Other locals reaching the MOC but not placing include Memorial 130-pounder Brandon Marquez and 189-pounder Chris Violette, West’s John Miller at 189 pounds, and Central 152-pounder Miles Davis.

Bedford High School 112- pounder Caleb Earnshaw, a sophomore who earned fourth place in Division II a week earlier, also reached the Meet of Champions, but didn’t place.

First-year MHS coach gives voice to positive outlook

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:23:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

For Beth Dooley, the best part of being the head coach of Memorial’s girls lacrosse team is never having to be quiet. The first-year mentor leads a Crusaders squad that hasn’t seen a win in more than two years.

But not having to hold her tongue has kept the Crusaders smiling and positive despite their winless record.

“I was an assistant coach at Plymouth (State University),” said Dooley. “But now I can say whatever I want because it’s my own program. I can get on them about the bad things, but then be the first one to talk about the good things. We don’t talk about the bad anymore, but look at every good thing we did each game.”

Though Dooley brings college playing and coaching experience to the Crusaders, she said the transition to high school wasn’t what she expected.

From a roster full of players with developed lax skills, Dooley now leads athletes who never picked up a stick prior to making the Memorial roster.

The team’s improvement was evident in a 12-6 loss to city rival West on May 10. The Crusaders posted their second highest-scoring performance of the year. Their best offensive attack came a week prior in a 13-9 loss to Central.

“We’re a very new program with no feeder program,” said Auburn senior Jenna Stitt. “It’s hard because we’re so much less experienced than other teams. But we’re getting better.

We can see it. Our first game against West we went out and tried, but this time you could see it in the score, in shots-on-goal, in interceptions.”

Stitt shares the captaincy with goalie Cassie Cronin, who logged 14 saves against West, center Natasha Poulin and Nicole Adinolfo, who each scored one goal against the Blue Knights. Poulin and Adinolfo lead a Crusaders offense that’s recorded 25 goals in 11 games.

Freshmen standouts Samantha Gonzalez and Alison Gogna, both of Auburn, give the team a strong nucleus for the future. Gonzalez, an attack/ wing, put up one goal against West, while Gogna played well at different positions.

Poulin led Memorial’s scoring with three goals against West.

“I’ve got 30 people on the roster, and you have to try to keep everyone positive,” said Dooley. “Every game we always end on a positive note. I want everyone to know it’ll take time to turn things around, but if we stay positive, it’ll be a lot more fun.”

Crusader softball edges Central in its last at-bat

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 09 May 2007 20:26:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

Kelsey Isham really is a good sport. But after driving in the game-winning run and earning her team a victory over a favorite rival, the Auburn native couldn’t resist going over to remind her opponents of the play.

It’s not something you’d usually see Isham do, but this opposing lineup was different.

“Well, I know most of them. We’re all friends,” said Isham after leading the Crusaders’ 2-1 win over Queen City foe Central.

“It’s different when we’re playing against each other, but once the game’s over, we’re all friends again. If it were the other way around, a Central player would come here, and we’d be happy for her, too.”

With two outs and pinch runner Heather Ryan of Auburn on second base, Isham stroked a single to score Ryan in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending the Crusaders into celebration and Central head coach Trish Ellis to face a frustrated lineup.

“We’re still making the mental mistakes that are costing us games,” said Ellis. “This was a great game. Both pitchers were on par, and it looked good until the end where we made a mistake on a play we shouldn’t have. I know if (we) just play the way (we) can, those mistakes won’t happen.”

Hosting the Little Green on Friday, May 4, Memorial, last year’s Class L runner up, posted nine hits in Central starter Ashley Kitchell’s complete-game performance.

Trailing, 1-0, entering the bottom of the fifth, Memorial tied things when catcher Sam Hebert singled and later scored on third baseman Rachel Hedge’s groundout.

Crusaders head coach Dave Hedge said intra-city match-ups aren’t played often enough. “This is like a playoff atmosphere,” said Hedge after the game. “I wish they’d let us play each Manchester team more than once. I’m not sure about the other Manchester coaches, but I certainly would love to do that. The rivalry is special, one pride vs. another. This time it was red, white and blue over green and white pride.”

Familiarity amongst players on Manchester teams, said Hedge, enhances long-standing rivalries. “Throw out the records,” said Hedge. “They don’t matter when it’s an intra-city rival. The idea they Isham said the idea of seeing her summer-league teammates in different uniforms “makes things more exciting.”

know each other adds to the game. It doesn’t make one team have an advantage or disadvantage over another. It just adds to the game.” On Friday, May 11, Central hosts Alvirne. Memorial visits Nashua North.

With new coach, new attitude, MHS wants wins

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:52:00 GMT

BY MATT STOUT

For two straight seasons, Cody Kelley, Jack Croasdale and the rest of the Manchester Memorial boys lacrosse team have endured different coaches, different systems and the same heartbreak that comes with consecutive 0-16 campaigns.

So this season, Kelley and Croasdale’s junior year, there’s a push for change.

With Memorial alum Joe Bernier at the helm, the Crusaders have put an emphasis on defense.

They’ve added more plays to help solidify an offense brimming with young talent. The midfield – led by senior and Auburn native Kyle Charbonneau, senior Chas Sullivan and junior Patrick Bresnahan – and the defense – headed by Kelley, Croasdale and returning goalie Richard Kelley – are experienced.

Thrown all together, Memorial hopes it equates into winning. Heck, it hopes it equates into a win.

“Yeah, (the program) needs a win,” Kelley said with a laugh following practice on Saturday, April 14. “It needs some kids who know how to win and know how to put the ball in the net.”

Fortunately, Memorial has some of those, too. In Charbonneau, Kelley and Croasdale, the Crusaders have three leaders who helped guide the school’s hockey team to the Division I semifinals this past winter. Simply put, they know how to win, and that experience will go as far as any spin move or hard shot will take them.

As for the scoring part, the Crusaders hope they have that covered in returning sophomore Matt Cormier who, as son of a lacrosse coach, has both the background and the touch around the net to produce some goals. Joining him are freshman Brandon McMaster, a goalie on the hockey team but attackman by spring, and Scott Morin, another promising scorer.

Though the recent weather has postponed the team’s first two games, Kelley said the delays may have been a good thing.

With a new coach and so many new faces, the Crusaders have used the extra time to get a better feel for one another’s games, as well as the expectations Bernier has for them.

“I just think when we show up, most teams are going to have to play the entire game; there’s no quit in these kids,” said Bernier, who helped coach the school’s club team four years ago. “I say the only thing that’s going to fix any problem is hard work.”

“It’s definitely ready to win, to be a better program,” Kelley added.

“I think we can definitely get over that hump this year.”

The Crusaders are scheduled to host Souhegan of Amherst on Thursday, April 19, before traveling to face Nashua North on Monday, April 23, and city rival Manchester West on Tuesday, April 24.

’07 Memorial in search of identity

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:56:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

When the girls of Memorial softball kick off their 2007 campaign, head coach Dave Hedge has four solid reasons why he thinks they can make another appearance in the championship game.

With the third-year head coach relying on the arms of returning hurlers Kerry Webb, Rachel Hedge, Morgan Ziemba and Auburn’s Sara Murray, the Crusaders are indeed in line for another run at the Class L title.

“It’s very comforting to have that many returning pitchers,” said Hedge. “If one girl’s having a bad day, I know I have some depth behind her. I can rely on them in pressurepacked situations, too, since they were all a part of bringing last year’s team the farthest it’s ever gone in the playoffs.”

Murray, a junior, will anchor the rotation after pitching in a 1-0 loss in the finals against Salem last spring.

Murray needs to get used to pitching to someone other than batterymate Natalie Gendron, also of Auburn, who graduated last year.

The loss of five seniors, including Gendron and Hooksett’s Jenn Waldecker, last year’s biggest offensive threat, presents a tall task for Hedge. Though he loses a large chunk of 2006’s offense, Hedge said his defense will be just as strong.

Left fielder Kelsey Isham of Auburn brings back her catalytic, timely hitting to the lineup. The junior was one of the main reasons, said Hedge, the Crusaders made it to the finals. Senior Martha Routos provides a strong arm in center field, while shortstop Krystin Squires protects the diamond’s sweet spot.

“Martha has one of the strongest arms I’ve ever seen, male of female, in my entire coaching career,” said Hedge. “And Krystin is one heck of a shortstop and will probably be looked at as one of the best in the state. Kelsey was the quiet one who didn’t get the big double but got the bunt to drive in the tying run to keep us alive during the playoffs. She did some great things as a first-year varsity player, and she’ll do them again this year.”

With a healthy mix of veterans and underclassmen, Hedge said the program should be able to draw from a strong junior varsity program. He won’t, however, rely on past seasons to dictate current or future success.

“I mentioned last season once the first day of tryouts,” said Hedge.

“But that’s it. I want each team to define itself that year. Of course I want to get to the finals and win it, but the only way we move forward is to treat each individual game as the game of the year.”

All-around effort - Different styles highlight local programs

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:46:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

SALEM – As athletes representing Manchester Memorial at this year’s NHIAA Girls Gymnastics State Championship meet, Amanda Campbell and Stephanie Day displayed two distinct types of competitiveness at the meet on Saturday, Feb. 10.

After performing in all four events, Campbell walked away frustrated, quiet and not quite ready to listen to her coach’s words of encouragement.

“I’m usually better on floor and vault,” said an upset Campbell. “Those are awful scores. I wanted to be in the top six in those events, but I put too much pressure on myself, and it backfired.”

Day, though, remained calm after receiving scores in her three events. Though she fell once during her balance beam routine, the junior from Auburn simply smiled and said she isn’t that competitive.

Joining these polar-opposite Crusaders were the girls of Central, who brought another gymnast recognized for her competitive nature. Nicole Simoneau repeated as the individual state champion, finishing with 36.600 points in the all-around. Entering the meet as the favorite, Simoneau placed second on the bars with 9.050 points, sixth on balance beam with 8.825 points, first on floor exercise with 9.350 points and first on vault with 9.375 points.

Day called Simoneau “a competitor who’s so nice and humble about it,” saying the Central gymnast holds her accomplishments dear but makes herself approachable.

Manchester head coach Meg Norklun, who leads the three public school Queen City teams, said Campbell and Day’s disparate reactions to their performances is one of her favorite aspects of coaching high school teams.

“It’s nice because you can find girls who are one way and some who are the other,” said Norklun. “You get to see various levels and personalities, and it’s a bit of a nice challenge to try and blend it all together into one team.”

Simoneau led Central to a third-place finish with 131.325 points.

Chelsie Gilbert scored 8.250 on the vault and 7.700 on the beam; Sarah Conley scored 8.100 on the vault, 6.400 on the bars and 8.075 on the floor exercise; and Ansley Smith finished with 8.650 on the vault, 8.200 on the beam and 9.075 on the floor exercise.

Rounding out Central’s scoring were Bonnie Duval, who scored 6.800 on the bars, and Grace Fitzgerald, who finished with 7.225 on the bars, 7.900 on the balance beam and 8.350 on the floor exercise.

Despite Campbell’s frustration after recording an 8.725 on the floor exercise and 8.350 on the vault, she admitted the feeling wouldn’t last too long.

“I’m really competitive, but I’ll let it go later today,” said Campbell. “It’s funny because some of us are like me, and some are like Steph and are totally laid-back no matter how they do. It just depends. It’s cool to see the dynamic, though.”

Results

For Memorial, Campbell finished 21st overall with 33.325 points; Day scored 23.525 points. Stephanie Dollard of Auburn finished with 15.850 points.

For Central, Smith placed 29th with 31.925 points; Conley posted 22.575 points; Molly Friden-Cowan tallied 15.225 points; Emi Clark earned 15.050 points; Duval posted 13.850 points; and Lucy Weathers earned 5.100 points.

For Pembroke Academy, Jen Acheson finished 13th overall with 34.050 points. Kelsey Dobe placed 44th with 28.100 points.

Inside job - Memorial takes second at indoor track meet

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 15:50:00 GMT

BY MATT STOUT

HANOVER – Richard Provencher said his Memorial boys track team had to be perfect if it hoped to contend with Merrimack at the Class L indoor track and field championships on Saturday, Feb. 3. Instead, the Crusaders were near perfect.

Despite strong finishes in the relay races at Leverone Field House, Memorial couldn’t catch the powerhouse Merrimack squad, which totaled 87 points to the Crusaders’ 68 to earn the Class L title.

Memorial enjoyed strong performances from Auburn’s Wes Cotnoir, who finished second in the 55-meter dash and ran the third leg of the state champion 4 X 200 team; Auburn’s Thomas Piccioli, who took third in the 55-meter dash with a personal-best time of 8.20 seconds; and David Irving, the day’s shot put champion with a throw of 52-feet, 5 inches. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the Tomahawks or their star, Gabe Dano, who edged Cotnoir for the 55-meter title, took the 300-meter dash crown and anchored the 4 X 400-meter relay team that nipped Memorial for first place.

“We needed to win high jump and place high in long jump to win it,” Cotnoir said, adding the team was down as many as 29 points entering the relay events, which close the meet. “Our guy didn’t beat their Merrimack guy in the long jump, and our high jump guy didn’t do as well as we thought he would.”

Though they couldn’t quite match Merrimack, Memorial still saw solid finishes in those events and more. Freshman Domingo Cruz took fifth in the long jump with a leap of 20-05.25 – about three and half inches short of Merrimack’s Corey Schueler, who placed second – while topseeded Chris Lemieux took third in the high jump at 6-02.00.

Cotnoir was Dano’s only competition in the 55 dash, and had beaten him a week prior at a meet, but the senior said he got off to a delayed start out of the blocks and couldn’t quite catch the defending state champion.

“Flip the coin,” Provencher said of the two competitors. “Gabe’s the best and Wes tried to beat him. Gabe is no doubt the best sprinter in the state.”

Memorial results

Bobby Johnsen also placed in the 55 dash at fourth with a time of 6.69, while Craig Berube took fifth in the 300 at 37.10 seconds. Corey Duchemin placed fourth in the 600 at 1-minute, 24.68 seconds, two spots ahead of teammate Scott Morin, who ran it in 1:28.19, while Ben Coutu finished fourth in the 3,000 at 9:12.99.

The boys 4 X 800-meter relay team of Jack Bauer, James Covey, Joseph Baroody and Nate Grant took fifth at 8:33.79. William Wrobel rounded out the placefinishers at sixth in the shot put.

For the girls, Tahisha Nelson ran to a fifth-place time of 7.61 seconds in the 55 dash, Holly Banaian finished in fourth in the 1,500 at 4:58.41, and Jacquelyn Dussault took seventh in the 3,000.

Central results

Matt Paulson held off topseeded Brendan Hyland of Concord for the 1,500 title with a time of 4:05.26 for the sixth-place Central boys, who earned the rest of their points with strong relay finishes. The defendingchampion 4 X 800 crew – Paulson, Corey Sinotte, Craig Brown and Dante Vitagliano – successfully retained its title, finishing in 8:18.27.

The 4 X 200 team of Mitch Albro, Chris Mitchell, Muzafer Aku and Paulson also fared well, finishing third in 1:36.25. The Central girls compiled 22 points en route to finishing seventh, thanks to Michaela Levasseur’s sixth-place time of 7.62 seconds in the 55 dash, her fourth-place finish in the 300 and two sixth-place finishes from Sarah Brooks – one in the 1,500 at 5:13.09 and another in the 3,000 at 11:11.87. Lucia Capano also took sixth in the 55- meter hurdles at 9.04 seconds.

The relay teams cleaned up the rest of the points. The 4 X 200 team of Lindsey Johnson, Capano, Levasseur and her sister, Aria, took second; the 4 X 400 team of Whitney Fremeau, Christen Carrier, Courtney Carrier and Arianna Vailas took fifth; and the 4 X 800 team of Lauren Ashby, the Carriers and Hannah Dow took fourth.

For complete meet results, visit lancertiming.com.