BOYS HOCKEY
Last season: 11-18-2 (did not qualify for playoffs)
Head coach: Gino Khachadourian (1st year)
Key returnees: Shawn Khachadourin, Jr. F; Jerome Cappadona, Sr. F; Mitch Luti, Jr. D; Max Goldstein, Sr. D; Chris DeVito, Soph. G; Brandon Franco, Jr. F.
Interesting newcomers: Mike Riley, Fr. F; Ryan Lovell, Fr. D; Matt Cavanaugh, Fr. D; Chris Ussgelio, Jr. F.
It’ll be a great season if: A young Highlanders team can rely on their strengths — goaltending and leadership from the upperclassmen — through an extremely difficult prep schedule. Cappadona returns as the leading scorer from a year ago with 8 goals and 15 points.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Last season: 13-8 (Lost in Eastern Independent League final in OT)
Head coach: Sarah Carpenter (6th year, 43-65-2)
Team captains: Mackenzie Foster, Sr., D; Ally Heffron, Sr., G; Jillian Witwicki, Jr., D
Other key returnees: Kristina Caradonna, Jr., F; Leah Heinze, So., F; Katie Shreenan, So., F; Adrineh Nalbandian, Sr. D; Michaela Bryne, Sr., D.
It’ll be a great season if: They stay healthy. The Highlanders have a smaller roster and captain Heffron is the only goalie on the squad, so the injury bug would be tough to deal with. They’ll also need to develop some secondary scoring with 100-point getter Lily Sabatini lost to graduation.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Last season: 19-6 (Lost to Hebron Academy in the first round of the New England Tournament)
Head coach: Steve Gibbs (10th year)
Team captains: Kyle Lentini, Jr. F; Connor Reardon, Jr. C/F; Johnny Spears, Jr. G.
Other key returnees: None.
It’ll be a great season if: The Highlanders can find a way to mesh their talented juniors captains with a strong freshman class. Freshmen Nino Leone (6-foot-5), Alonzo Jackson (6-5), Justin Asad (6-3), and Griffin Beal (6-1) are big and talented, but there may be a breaking in-period for Pingree.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Last season: 5-14
Head coach: Christina Kennedy (3rd year)
Team captains: Katlyn Oliver, Sr. G; Mdolelle Dolo, Sr. F; Alex Kruck, Sr. G.
Other key returnees: Haley Sabino, So. G; Caroline Fay, Jr. G.
It’ll be a great season if: “We play together, communicate on defense and keep the ball moving,” said Kennedy.
SWIMMING
Last season: 10-4 (girls finished second in the NEPSSA Div. III championships)
Head coach: John Young (7th year)
Team captains: Veronica Monteiro, Sr., diving, butterfly; Nick Sweetser, Sr., breaststroke, freestyle.
Other key returnees: Erin Cunningham, Jr., backstroke, IM; Solina Powell, Jr., breaststroke; Kyle Skelton, Jr., sprints.
It’ll be a great season if: Depth comes through. The team has blossomed to 27 members, adding eight freshmen and two sophomores. After losing just four kids to graduation, the Highlanders aim to remain among the top ranks of Division 2 prep schools, said Young
