Mack Plaque 2018

L A N C E R Volume 42 • Edition 1

Mack Plaque 2018

Londonderry High School

S P I R I T

CONTENTS

4 Football 6 Field Hockey 8 Boys’ Soccer 10 Girls’ Soccer 12 Golf 14 Boys’ Cross Country 16 Girls’ Cross Country 18 Volleyball 20 Cheer 22 Captain’s Quotes 24 Band 26 Senior Gators

lancerspiritonline.com

The

Lancer Spirit staff Letter from the editor

The Lancer Spirit is proud to bring you our first magazine edition of the school year for Mack Plaque 2018. In this edition we showcase the stellar fall athletes as they prepare for their biggest competitions of the season.

For the past 36 years, the Lancers have battled the Astros for the most acclaimed title in New Hampshire Division I High School sports, but with our last win 18 years ago in 2000, it’s time to take back the Plaque.

Our football team trained their hardest in double sessions this summer on a quest to “chase rings” this fall.

They crushed major competitor Salem in week two to get momentum in their corner.

Girls’ soccer is blowing their competitors out of the water, outscoring opponents 20-1 in their first four games.

Young talents are stepping up for boys’ soccer and both cross country teams, proving they can lead the Lancers to wins. Boys’ cross country even scored us our first point towards the Plaque.

Golf is relentlessly traveling across the state to grip it and rip it for the Lancers. Volleyball’s seasoned seniors are working hard to improve their record this year, and cheer is continuing to dominate, coming off a state championship last fall.

In this issue we also highlight the LHS Marching Band and Color Guard while also introducing Mr. Beaulieu as the new Music Director and Mr. Mundy as the new band director.

Lastly, we also showcase our senior tailgators, who are loyally coming out to support the Lancers in all sports. And now with Mack Plaque weekend approaching, we encourage all members of Lancer Nation to come out and cheer the Lancers on against Pinkerton.

Sincerely, The Lancer Spirit Staff

Editors

Liz Iaconis Morgan Torre Nick Desrosiers Tim Gore Kait Bedell Marissa McKay Amy Overhulser Juliana Hamel Katie Ehl Sean Cavanaugh Blake Melnik Zachary Malcolm Anna Drabik Jazz Conde Brian Boyle Rachel St. Louis Alyssa Neal Kat Provost Maxwell DesRosiers Thomas Fougere Myah Teague Eliana Patterson Lilly Grodt

Editor-in-Chief Asst. Editor-in-Chief Sports Chief Magazine Chief Online Chief Features Features Opinions Opinions Food Sports Sports Arts & Entertainment Lifestyle Business Manager Creative Writing Creative Writing Webmaster Podcast Broadcast Art Design Photography

Mrs. DeWinkeleer Adviser

Reporters

Karla Almanzar Sandoval Ash BarNoy Joe Behling Colleen Bernard Josh Berube Rylie Blondin Jason Bonta Sara Campagna Courtney Clark Evan Cormier Bella Cossette Nate Cripe Taylor Cruz Chris DeWolf Lexi Enman Mike Foley Laura Haas Kat Hallee Sara Hemenway

Katie Huggins Tyler Kayo John Kelley Amy Maffattone Bella McCutcheon Jillian Morani Ryan Morse Alexa Naar Hailey Neal Catie O’Neil Luke Pascarelli Alex Peters Izzy Todd Alyssa Treanor Tyler VanAvery Thomas Wolthers Alana Wyatt Olivia Yerian

September 2018

One yard at a time.

Football team hopes to turn Astro “red zone” into 20 yards of Lancer blue.

Blake Melnik SPORTS EDITOR With momentum off a huge upset game, beating Salem 28-21, the Lancers are ready to take on Pinkerton. The football team is looking to crack the 18-year winning streak Pinkerton holds for Mack Plaque weekend.

To win the big game Friday, Coach Case said the Lancers are going to have to “play mistakefree football, force Pinkerton to commit turnovers and bad plays, and eat a lot of clock.”

Along with that strategy, Case said the Lancers are going to look toward certain players to help deliver this win.

“On offense, Jeffrey Wiedenfeld, Jake Holland, and Evan Cormier are going to be huge assets to the game, along with Alex Tsetsilas who has stepped up while Cole Keegan has been out with an injury,” Case said.

“Patrick Hagearty, Ben Psaledas, Jack Ogden, and Josh Berube will be the important players on defense for upperclassmen, while Blaine Hopkins and Alejandro Arnaiz will step up for the underclassmen. It's up to the defense and special teams to win this game. The offense will take care of business in this one.”

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The Lancers have high hopes for their game under the Friday night lights, and starting quarterback Evan Cormier is looking to make a statement that he and the Lancers cannot be counted out.

“I write underdog on me before every game as a reminder that with the injury I sustained last year, it was unlikely I’d even play again let alone be in the position I’m in now,” Courmier said. “Looking down at the word “underdog” during the game reminds me not to take anything for granted and to play with no regrets.”

During last year’s Mack Plaque game as the Lancers chances of winning slipped away, Cormier was given a chance to come into the game and relieve quarterback, Mike McAlister.

Cormier put Londonderry on the board in the fourth quarter to end the game 35-7, getting his first taste of Mack Plaque playing time.

“I’ve been on the sidelines at all three of the Mack Plaque games since I’ve been a Lancer,” Cormier said. “Last year, I scored the only touchdown in garbage time late in the fourth.

This year I just hope I can make the right reads, play my game, and give our team the best chance I can [at winning].”

Cormier should have an easier time being able to focus on his game this year, with a

strong Lancer offensive line heavily guarding him.

“I feel like we have the best offensive line in the state,” senior captain Josh Berube said.

“If we are able to force turnovers, and get the offense on the field as much as possible, I think we can come out with a win this year.”

With Cormier protected by his O-line this year, he’ll be able to spend more time on the field targeting his passes, with many weapons to choose from on the offense. One of the standouts of this offense, senior slot receiver Jake Holland, believes Londonderry has what it takes this year to bring Mack Plaque back home.

“This year I think we have more talent and size over Pinkerton,” Holland said. “I think we’ll be able to break them down easily.”

Taking on Pinkerton at Mack Plaque is always a challenge, but with the right game plan and execution, Head Coach Lauzon believes this year the Lancers will be able to compete with anyone, even the Astros.

“In order to beat them it will just come down to execution,” Lauzon said. “In some years we know PA may have us outmanned in some positions, but this year we have some good players and size of our own. Ultimately, it will all come down to having a good game plan and executing a good game plan.”

Varsity Football Roster

1 Evan Cormier QB/DB 48 Jake Naar RB/LB 2 Zack Chau SB/DB 50 Nathan Gehris OL/LB 3 Mitchell Phelps SB/DB 51 Cooper Bartlett OL/LB 4 Jake Holland SB/DB 52 Jack Ogden OL/LB 5 Tyler Kayo RB/LB 53 Ian Ward OL/LB 7 Cole Keegan WR/DB 54 Benjamin Psaledas OL/LB 8 Nate Cripe WR/DB 55 Timothy Bajek OL/DL 9 Matt Pemberton RB/DB 56 Dan Gear OL/LB 10 Artie Wilkinson SB/DB 57 Gabe Ramshaw OL/DL 11 Ethan May WR/DB 58 Brendan Bedell OL/DL 12 Jeffrey Wiedenfeld RB/DB 59 Tim Breau OL/DL 13 Aiden O’Loughlin QB/DB 60 Michael Watts OL/DL 14 Jake McEachern QB/DB 61 Nick Walter OL/DL 15 Mason Marquis RB/LB 63 Anthony Pucillo OL/DL 16 Matt Jones SB/DB 64 Taylor Dyer OL/LB 17 Dylan McEachern QB/DB 65 Jay Delano OL/DL 18 Devin O’Loughlin WR/DB 66 Justin Miller OL/DL 20 Brandon Drake SB/DB 67 EJ Donovan OL/DL 21 Devin Janas SB/DB 68 Eric Brown OL/DL 22 Alex Tsetsilas WR/DB 69 Richard Alback OL/DL 23 Lorenzo Inglese WR/DB 70 Joshua Berube OL/DL 24 Eric Raza SB/DB 72 Hayden Fielder OL/DL 25 Kyle Proulx SB/DB 73 Mike Waddle OL/DL 26 Lucas Seaman WR/DB 74 Blaine Hopkins OL/DL 27 Jay Hayes WR/DB 75 Patrick Hagearty OL/DL 28 Tim McAlister WR/DB 77 Justin Watson OL/DL 31 Keith Cucinotta RB/LB 81 Cameron Babine TE/DL 34 Johnny McKinnon SB/LB 83 Anthony Santosuosso SB/DB 35 Robbie Derhak RB/DB 84 Max Desrosiers TE/DL 41 Marek Michno OL/DL 85 Ian Lidster WR/DB 42 Jeffery Kelly OL/DL 87 Nate Truesdale WR/LB 43 Cameron Storace RB/LB 88 Clifford Fusco WR/DB 44 Wil Reyes SB/LB 89 Sebastian Bernardini WR/DB 45 Alejandro Arnaiz TE/DL 90 AJ Thistle OL/DL 46 Joseph Behling OL/DL

Strong traditions power Lancer field hockey Sean Cavanaugh FOOD EDITOR While field hockey is a sport played with sticks, goggles, shin guards, and 11 players, it’s not just about the tough competition on the field. It’s also about what goes on behind the scenes.

The Lancer field hockey team has a lot of traditions, which help bring these players together.

It all starts after tryouts with a tradition the senior class of 1998 began. Once the team roster has been posted, the girls who make varsity will go out to Mary-Ann’s diner and feast on their first meal of the season together as a team.

Another one of the team’s favorite heartwarming traditions is personal notebooks.

“Every player on our team has a notebook and before each game another player will write a good luck message in the notebook,” senior captain Miranda Galan said. “Our notebook tradition was started last year by our Coach, and we all love doing it.”

Beyond their traditions, the Lancer girls have some superstitions too.

“For certain people on the team, the way their hair is braided is because of their superstition toward it,” Galan said. “A lot of us feel better when we get our hair done before the game.”

Along with that, the field hockey team has pasta parties with lots of pasta, meatballs, and garlic bread before every home game. They claim they need a carbo load.

“I love hanging out with all the girls off the field, and we all love the food as well,” senior captain Lauren Mullen said. “I think it is a team bonding thing that we do, but the only way to we will be able to succeed this year is if we play as a team and not as individuals.”

Even further, it isn’t just what they do, it is also what they wear. Everyone on the team buys crocs then designs them with unique jibbits.

“We think it’s fun to do something out of the ordinary as a team and crocs are a fun and comfortable way to do that,” senior captain Alivia Proulx said.

The bonds they’ve created off the field help them compete on the field.

“I definitely think our traditions help with team bonding, especially the pump up sessions before games, because we’re all in one room singing and dancing and not caring what we look like,” Galan said. “Because we’re all friends on the team which helps us play and win on the field.”

All photos used with permission from Dina Miles

Photos courtesy of Dina Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 23 24 25

Stephanie Laconto C-Miranda Galan C-Alivia Proulx Chelsea Mullen Jenna Madigan Isabella Augusta Julia Fothergill Grace Chicko Sophie Karlson Morgan Brutus Courtney Shay Lauren Doherty Courtney Julian C-Lauren Mullen Kaitlin Bedell Emily Cowette Jenna Stowell Andrea McEvoy Megan Packard Sierra Sessa C-Hunter Langley Jillian Fitzgibbons Kayla Miles Coach Treadway

On the field

All photos used with permission from Dina Miles Varsity field hockey players Lauren Mullen, Emily Cowette, Kait Bedell, Chelsea Mullen, and Courtney Shay celebrate a victory after their relay race in the annual Play for a Purpose jamboree. The Lancers wore peach tie-dyed shirts representing thyroid cancer while they took on other teams in scrimmages and stick skill competitions.

How to play field hockey.

Know the rules. Enjoy the game.

At the beginning of the game eleven players, including a goalie, line up on one side of the field in preparation for the whistle signaling the start of the game.

The basic order consists of four forwards, who’s main purpose is to score, the midfielders, who attempt to turn the ball over in the middle of the field, and the defenders who keep the other team out of their net. The ball is normally passed back from a forward to a midfielder, and the game begins.

The object of the game is to keep the other team from scoring, while also attempting to get the ball in their net. Field hockey also consists of many specific rules which may determine the ultimate result of the game.

Some significant rules include: Third party - Third party is called when two people are going for the ball and a third party player cuts across the opponent when joining in. It is legal to double team the ball, but the third person must refrain from cutting in between their opponent and the ball. The official of the game normally signals a third party foul with a cross of their arms.

Obstruction - Obstruction is a foul when a player with or fighting for the ball turns and plants their back against their opponent, preventing them from playing the

ball. This would be legal if the player continues to move their body as they turn, but will otherwise be called.

Foot- In field hockey, the ball must never hit a players feet. If the ball is hit into another player, the person who was hit will be fouled for touching their feet. The only exception to this is a highball that is considered dangerous.

Dangerous ball- When a player takes a hit, their stick must remain below the hip throughout the entire swing unless there is open space. If the ball raises more than a foot off the ground, it will be considered dangerous ball.

Air dribbling- When a player uses the technique of air dribbling, which is hitting the ball of their stick in the air, they must maintain a steady and controlled height at which they dribble. The defender must refrain from hitting the ball, unless they can cleanly hit the ball without touching their opponent’s stick.

Strokes - When the goalie or a defender covers a ball with their foot on a corner, the ref

will then determine that the foul requires a stroke.

In order for a stroke to be taken, both teams all gather at the 25 line to watch as one teammate from the opponent’s team is chosen by their coach to take it The player then lines up behind the white stroke line waiting for the signal to lift the ball into the net. The ref will then say “Goalie ready? Stroker ready?”, and blow their whistle indicating the stroke taker to begin. They have one opportunity to make the shot, and if they do not the game continues.

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Senior captain sets path for boys’ soccer Morgan Torre ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF With the team losing 14 seniors this year, the pressure is on for young team members to step up for varsity boys’ soccer.

“We do not have a big returning class,” senior captain Brian LeClair said. “Hopefully the newbies can fulfill their new roles.”

Expectations in D1 soccer might be low for the Lancer boys this year, but for this team, it’s all the more reason to prove their competitors wrong.

“We know we’re gonna be pretty much underdogs throughout the season because of how many people we lost, but that just helps take any pressure off I think,” senior Jack Brown said.

There are only 6 seniors on the team, and 4 of them are varsity returners. LeClair is the sole senior captain, and therefore is in the spotlight.

Luckily for the team, he is a strong player.

“He’s comfortable on the ball and has a good touch which helps us play out of the back,” Brown said.

Love for the sport is what makes a good player great, and LeClair definitely enjoys soccer.

“I like the fact that soccer is fast paced,” LeClair said. “It is definitely more fun when the ball is being passed from player to player fast.”

Playing abilities aside, LeClair is enjoying his new leadership role.

“Being captain is different,” LeClair said. “I’ve never been the most vocal person, so I wasn’t really sure how I would be as a captain but so far I like it. Who doesn’t like being in charge?”

LeClair is well-liked by his teammates and

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Photo used with permission from Keith Fletcher

The varsity soccer team gathers in a huddle before every game to get focused. According to senior Alex Peters, team captain Nick Weinmann’s “firey pep talks” consist of motivational words like “let’s go destroy these guys” and every so often will include “some choice words.”

is characterized as being “approachable and non-abrasive,” according to Brown.

“I am close with Brian,” Brown said.

“We’ve been playing together since we were little and have always been friends. He’s a

Photo used with permission from Keith Fletcher

really good captain and was the only captain throughout the summer.”

LeClair tries his best to ensure team spirit is high at all times. All eyes are on him to lead the team to a Mack Plaque victory. The odds are not completely against the team this time around.

“I think Pinkertons team is decent,” Brown said. “But in terms of sports I think soccer is one of their weakest. Although we lost last year,we have had the better of them in the last couple years before. Either way it should be a good game and fun to watch.”

The team has a great connection, and LeClair remarked that they all “know each other pretty well.” Most of the boys have played with one another for years now.

“In terms of getting along I don’t think that’s ever been a problem on the soccer team,” Brown said. “Everyone is comfortable with joking around and messing with each other.”

Boys’ soccer plans to use this energy and unity to take on one of their biggest opponents of the season.

LeClair’s final words: “Beat PA.”

CC

ER

VARS I

O

T

OYS’ S B Y

2

Colin LeBlanc

2020

3

Peter Misiaszek 2020

4

Jack Brown

2019

5

Alex Peters

2019

6

Nick Weinmann 2020

7

James Cranmer 2019

8

Brady Hanley

2020

9

Keith Fletcher

2020

10

Cam Ness

2019

11

Tyler VanAvery 2019

13

Shaun Sullivan

2020

14

Hunter Smith

2021

15

Bisan Gurung

2020

17

Anthony Ramy

2021

20

Jaxon Boudreau 2020

21

Cody Hanley

2021

23

Brian LeClair

2019

1

Colby DiMaggio 2020

00

Alex Hufford

Coach

Todd Ellis

Photo used with permission from Keith Fletcher

“We’re a pretty well put together group,” said #11 senior striker Tyler VanAvery. “We play our best when we give our 100% effort, but we don’t always do that.” However, VanAvery has high hopes for his team during Mack Plaque weekend. “We plan on beating Pinkerton convincingly in front of our home fans,” he said.

2020 Photo used with permission from Keith Fletcher

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Standout senior captain leads Lancer girls’ soccer Liz Iaconis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Four years ago, Sammy LeClair took the field as a freshman for varsity girls’ soccer. Now, LeClair steps onto the field for her final season of Lancer Soccer as a senior captain. A lot has changed for this team in the past few years, but LeClair has been a standout and leader for the team through it all.

“Sammy is that teammate that can help you no matter what,” varsity goalie Jazzy Richards said. “She’s always a positive influence, and everyone on the team looks up to her.”

Teammates are proud to play with LeClair and appreciate her off the field as well. Her leadership has helped the team grow over the past four years.

“Sammy is, in my opinion, the core of our team. She has been [on varsity] the longest, and she just knows how to keep things positive,” teammate and senior captain Bella Cossette said. “She works really hard all the time, and I think that pushes all of us individually to keep up with her.”

LeClair has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old. She began playing recreationally as most kids do, moved to playing for club teams, and now, she plays for the varsity Lancers,

captaining the team as a junior and senior. This, she admits, has been time-consuming and hard to juggle, but LeClair has learned to handle the pressure. “[Being on varsity all four years] has been fun. Obviously, at times it’s very stressful, and at first it’s hard to balance school, but each year it gets easier to manage my time and to be more comfortable and relaxed on and off the field.”

She says although the experience has been challenging, the irreplaceable memories this sport has brought her make it all worthwhile.

“My most memorable soccer moment as a Lancer was back to freshman year at the championship. I had already taken, and scored, a penalty kick in our semi-final game [that season], but walking up to the line to take a penalty in the finals against our arch rival (Pinkerton) is a moment I will never forget.”

But even with the memories, LeClair always looks forward to new seasons with new teammates and new experiences. Every season is a new chance for the Lancer girls to play and dominate in the game they love.

“Every year feels like a fresh start.

New players always bring new skills and personalities. The last few years we’ve been very promising throughout the season and had some trouble in playoffs. This year we hope to change that.”

VARSITY GIRLS’ SOCCER 2 Alyssa Anderson 4 Rachel Stone 5 Olivia Galluzzo 6 Darby Dupuis 7 Bella Cossette 8 Gillian Vilela 9 Gwen Barnes 11 Liv Stowell 12 Abbie Ellis 13 Ashley Manor 14 Sammy LeClair 15 Alex Metro 16 Katie McCudden 18 Lea Baum 19 Kelly Calawa 20 Delaney O’Leary 0/10 Jazzy Richards (G)

“Sammy is, in my opinion, the core of our team. She has been [on varsity] the longest, and she just knows how to keep things positive. She works really hard all the time, and I think that pushes all of us individually to keep up with her.”

- Senior captain Bella Cossette

Photos used with permission from Mrs. Cossette

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Mack Plaque on the green

Golf looks to tee it high, keep scores low Nick Desrosiers SPORTS CHIEF

Photo used with permission from Dan Grant

Senior Thomas Marcantonio (middle) tees off on hole one during a practice round at Passaconaway Country Club.

The Lancer golfers know that every stroke matters whenever they are competing in matches, but shaving off a couple strokes against an always tough Pinkerton team could be crucial this weekend.

Bringing back only four of the eight golfers from last season’s squad, this group has a lot to prove on the big stage. Fortunately, they will be able to compete from the comforts of their home course.

Two of the three seniors on the roster have experience playing in the ramped-up atmosphere of Mack Plaque weekend, and they will be expected to fill the void of role models for the underclassmen heading into the match.

One of these seniors playing in his fourth and final season as a lancer is team captain Brian Boyle. Tying his career match low of 36 in his first match, the lanky 6’3” standout has had great success through his career at LHS, but this year he has made it a priority to get his team in

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a position to take down their dominant rival.

“If we all put our best foot forward, we will have a chance,” Boyle said. “Our team is young, driven, and filled with overall great kids. This is the match that we have been looking forward to competing in all year, and we are ready for the challenge.”

Needless to say, Boyle will have to have his ‘A’ game for the Lancers to hang with the Astros, but he will also need his teammates to ride to

“Lancer golf is ready to grip it and rip it.”

-Senior Brian Boyle

the occasion.

Fellow senior and Varsity veteran Thomas Marcantonio has been putting up low scores for quite some time now. His scores early on in the season indicate that he is getting hot at the perfect time with their biggest match just days away. With an unconventional (yet effective) swing off the tee box, and a level headed approach on the green, Marcantonio is destined for a great round this weekend.

“I’ve been feeling confident with my game lately on the greens,” Marcantonio said. “The whole team has been practicing hard this weekend in anticipation for our most important match to date.”

The roster heading into this weekend will feature three seniors, one junior, three sophomores, and one freshman. Led by the knowledgeable and well-respected coach Daniel Grant, this group is ready to grip and rip at home this weekend and come out on top.

VARSITY GOLF ROSTER Matthew Anderson

2021

Riley Anderson Brian Boyle (Captain) James Griffin Zachary Malcolm Thomas Marcantonio Samuel Seibert Joshua Traynaham

2021 2019 2022 2019 2019 2020 2021

Photo used with permission from Dan Grant

The Lancer golfers tee off, hoping to drive the ball deep into the fairway.

Photo used with permission from Dan Grant

Photo used with permission from Dan Grant

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Boys’ cross country dominates Boys’ Cross Country is a unique fall sport, it’s an individual competition but with a strong team bond. The boys’ team oddly has no captains, but this is because the hard-working teammates, according to junior Kerry Daley, “know the standards of the team and know what’s expected of them.” This team bond though, does not dull the cross country team’s competitive nature.

“Maintaining a team mentality in cross country is quite simple, despite it being fairly individualized in performance, [but] when racing, you always want to beat your teammate, no matter how much you love them,” Daley said. “Keep in mind, they also want to beat the guy faster than them. If everyone is being competitive and pushing each other, it creates a conveyor belt that unites and pushes the team to great performances.”

The cross country season is just starting out, but already, the Lancers are shattering expectations and standing out more in D1 than they have in years. With young talent, as well as seasoned returners, the boys are showing up and running their hardest in every meet thus far. The team has already raced for Mack Plaque, and upset the #2 ranked Pinkerton to score Londonderry the first point of Mack Plaque.

“Our Mack Plaque race this year went the best way possible,” Daley said. “We had five runners in a row before Pinkertons second runner, dominating and claiming victory 2041.”

Cross country races are scored by the first five runners to place. Their times are added up, and the lowest score wins. In the event of a tie, the 6th and 7th place runners would be added to scores to break it.

Varsity runners for the Lancers are the top

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Liz Iaconis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

7 placers on the team. This year the line-up is sophomore Matt Griffin, sophomore Will Heenan, senior Eric Nowak, junior Kerry Daley, senior Kyle Hoglund, junior Dylan Hotter, and senior Ben Palumbo. According to Daley, Griffin is the most crucial runner on the boys’ team this year. Daley also credits Palumbo with his hard work that continues to propel the team upward.

“Last year, our standard runner was the phenomenal Will Heenan, who has multiple state records for his age. Matt has challenged him this year and beaten him in multiple races, which makes our team much more competitive now with two historically great runners. Also, Ben Palumbo is in his best shape he’s ever been in, and has dropped minutes off his time to

launch himself into a varsity spot.”

Teammates agree that the long August to November cross country season is looking promising for Londonderry’s boys. With strength scattered throughout classes, the future looks good for this team as well.

“The Londonderry cross country team this year may be one of the best teams in the state.

After dominating former #2 ranked Pinkerton, we are certainly destined to move up,” Daley said. “Our team will be competing at several notable meets this year that our nationally covered, like the Manhattan Invitational in October and the Nike Northeast regional in November. As exhausting as it seems, the season provides a very rewarding and fun experience by the end of it.”

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY Matthew Adamson 2022 William Bieler 2021 Nicholas (Cole) Borovicka 2022 Christopher Burpeau 2020 Kerry Daley 2020 Justin Dickson 2022 Danny Garrity 2022 Brody Gray 2022 Matthew Griffin 2021 William Heenan 2021 Kyle Hoglund 2019 Dylan Hotter 2020 Brendan Julian 2022 Carter Letalien 2019 Colby Lynch 2022 Jack Marshall 2022 Kevin Moscat 2022 Levi Nezballa 2020 Eric Nowak 2019 Matthew Palmer 2022 Benjamin Palumbo 2019 Will Plante 2022 Cameron Robbins 2021 Christian Smith 2019 Jack Sprague 2021 Matthew Vogel 2021 Kyle Wheeler 2019 Michael Williams 2022 Andrew Young 2022 Ryan Young 2021

Photos used with permission from Lancer Track Club

On the course Cailin Borovicka Caitlin Boufford Jasmine Brown Rebecca Buckley Emily Hatem Lillian Law Ashley Lynch Sage Matzker Grace McDonough Cailey McDonough Alea Millis Adriana Nadeau Maura O'Shaughnessy Gabrielle Page Ashley Perry Abby Rollison Delaney Root Kaelyn Rourke Alyssa Treanor Coach Burgess Coach Sanborn

2020 2020 2020 2022 2019 2020 2019 2022 2022 2020 2022 2022 2022 2021 2021 2021 2021 2019 2020

How cross country is scored -The team’s seven fastest runners race in a 5 kilometer. (3.1 miles) -The seven fastest runners aren’t usally set in place until later in the season.

-The first five finishers from the school are given points corresponding with their place number. First place would score 1 point, second place would score 2 point, and so on.

-The objective is to have the least amount of points.

-If two teams come in a tie, it’s broken by the sixth finisher’s point score.

Photos courtesy of LHS Track Club

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Girls’ XC races to their goals

Eliana Patterson MAGAZINE DESIGN EDITOR

based, that doesn’t mean that the runners don’t have a team supporting them.

Cross country is both a physically and The girls’ cross country team is a very close mentally challenging sport for those who group, who every year create a bond that drives participate. them to be more motivated and to be the best Unlike other sports, whose members runners that they can be. work together to win a game or a match, this “We are all very close on the team,” junior sport is more individual-based. The runners Jasmine Brown said. “Everyone gets along with have personal goals that they try to beat, and one another and people are always welcomed into sometimes, they even want to outrun their own the group. There’s never any fighting or drama teammates. But although it’s more individually happening.”

While the official racing season has just started this month, for the girls the beginning of the season started way back in the middle of the summer.

“During the summer, we all trained at the school almost every day, and I feel like that really strengthened our bond,” Brown said.

This season, the girls are missing past members of the team who brought energy and spirit, but that doesn’t stop them to create a new kind of exciting energy.

“We are all still trying to find the energy that we get every year that really motivates the team to push through, even if it hurts,” Brown said.

With race courses that seem never-ending, the team finds ways to relieve stress before and after races to get into the right headspace and just relax. And some of their traditions have been long-standing.

Before each race, the girls do a special cheer

Photo courtesy of LHS Track Club

that gets everyone into good spirits. After the girls race in the Souhegan Relay, they have a traditional swim in a pond near their course. Of course, there’s also a pasta dinner before each meet.

“We go over to someone’s house, and we just eat pasta and bread and have a carbo load up. It’s a way to relax before a race,” freshman runner Rebecca Buckley said.

Most girls use the energy and motivation from one another to get further in races or to get better times. A big goal this season for most of the girls is to get a PR (personal record) time, and these girls are able to accomplish this goal with help from their teammates.

“This team is a great one to be on,” Buckley said. “I always love the energy all the other girls give and it really makes you believe you can win any race you run.”

Photo used with permission from Coach Sanborn

Can you dig it?

Girls’ volleyball can.

Kate Ehl OPINIONS EDITOR

As the girls’ volleyball team walks on the court during Mack Plaque weekend, they will have one mission: Winning.

And senior captain Maddie Sanborn will lead them there.

“I’m really excited to see how we all come together and play for Mack Plaque,” Sanborn said. “We have four new girls this year, so I’m really excited to see what they can do to add to the team dynamic.”

Even though they didn’t win the Plaque last year, the practices have been going well, so they know they are ready to compete against Pinkerton’s team.

“I think we have a really good chance this year based off of how practices are going,” Sanborn said. “As long as we play our best, we have a really good chance of winning.”

But when the team isn’t focused on taking the title or practicing, they are doing some major team bonding.

Not that they need it.

“We eat a lot of food together,” Sanborn said.

“Pretty much all of our team bonding involves food, but we did a ropes course kind of thing this year.”

Team bonding is what as helped bring this team together this year, but two major bonds had already been made years ago. There are currently two pairs of sisters on the team: senior Maddie Sanborn and freshman Kelsey Sanborn as well as junior Anna Haas and freshman Laura Haas.

Maddie thinks spending so much time together during practices and games and at home can have its challenges, but she said she looks forward to seeing “how we all get along.”

Her sister Kelsey is glad to be on the same team as her sister.

“Honestly, I love working with Maddie,” Kelsey said. “She is able to help me a

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lot with skills I need to work on, and it’s just so fun playing with her.”

Freshman Laura Haas said while playing with her sister an be very fun, it can also be “annoying” at times.

“Sometimes I will be in a fight with her when I go to practice,” Laura said, “but it will go away because we need to make sure we are teammates on the court and sisters when we walk off.”

Even though they can get on each others’ nerves, the girls know find they get on the court, they are able to help each other and play as teammates.

“She is only a freshman, but [she] brings a lot of positive energy to the court,” Anna said. “Our favorite part is standing next to each other for defense and working together to help the team out.”

After their recent win against Alvirne, his team is even more excited to work harder towards winning the Plaque.

Yet even if they don’t win Mack Plaque, at the end of the day, these girls are a team and will be there for each other no matter what happens on the court.

“I really love the relationships that I’ve made with the girls,” Maddie said. “We are a really close-knit team, and I love being able to trust everyone on the team on and off the court.”

Serve

Block Assist Dink Joust Spike

Attack Dig

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Win Varsity volleyball roster Madison Sanborn 2019 Gillian Lynch 2019 Britney Clark 2019 Natalie Brooks 2019 Anna Haas 2020 Sarah Joe 2021 Jordan Galluzzo 2021 Emma Detellis 2021 Laura Haas 2022 Kelsey Sanborn 2022 Photos used with permission Allison Lamson

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LHS Cheer strives for states again Lilly Grodt PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Londonderry Cheer team was never more excited than they were when they broke Pinkerton Academy’s 14-year streak of being state champions.

“We were completely shocked, and we never thought it would happen, and hearing our names being called was unreal. We were screaming and crying, and we were all hugging each other, it was an amazing moment,” sophomore Lilly Tharrington said.

Winning states for the first time was an overall shock for the girls, but they did their best and it worked.

“It was unreal, it was like one of the best days of my life,” coach Chelsea Dennis said.

Londonderry and Pinkerton have always had a major rivalry between each other, and although LHS took the “L”, the cheer team took the “dub”. Not only was winning exciting for the girls, it was exciting for Dennis.

Dennis has been working hard with the Lancer cheerleaders since 2011 when she took on the team. Her cheer team doesn’t look picture perfect without her help and devotion, and she starts everything very early.

Tryouts this year were from August 13 to August 14, a week later than they would normally start. Immediately after tryouts, they formed stunts groups, worked on skills, and more importantly, started working on their competition routine. By the 16 and 17 of August, the team had their choreographer come in to help them with a routine that will hopefully get them another state champs title.

“The teams in our division are very talented, but we are ready to accept the challenge,” said Tharrington.

Last year, Tharrington was one of four freshmen on varsity cheer, and even though it was nerve-wracking, her team was very welcoming. It wasn’t easy for her to be a freshman on the team, but the

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girls worked hard together and they helped each other out.

“I believe that the team is on a great track to keep the title as state champs,” junior Ashley Greenwood said.

Greenwood, now a junior, has been on varsity since freshman year. Since then, she has been with different people every year, but over the years she’s learned to bond with her teammates.

“We do a lot of team bonding, we like to have a lot of sleepovers and do scavenger hunts,” Greenwood said, “during practices we like to try and be inclusive and we hangout and talk during water breaks, and try to be on our phones less”.

With the help of team bonding and winning the state title, it has given the team motivation towards their future competitions this season.

“Pinkerton has been knocked off their throne, and we’re working really hard to keep our title, junior Emma Gehris said.

Gehris is a junior that has been on varsity

since she started her time at Londonderry. She has been to states twice with the Londonderry Lancer Cheer team, placing third her freshman year and winning states her sophomore year.

“We do a lot to prep for competitions,” Gehris said,”we do conditioning for endurance and like to do full outs which is when we run our whole routine”.

After becoming N.H. State Champs last year, Londonderry High School cheer team is back and more ready than ever.

“Our goals are to keep a positive attitude during the season because that definitely helped us last year,” Dennis said.

DI State Champs last year.

High hopes for this year.

For the first time in LHS history, the Lancer Varsity Cheerleaders won the State Cheer Competition in fall of 2017. Their hope is to do it again this year.

“I believe that the team is on a great track to keep the title as state champs,” junior Ashley Greenwood said.

Pictured right is the State Champs plaque the squad received.

Cheer Roster Kathryn Hughes-C Nikki Longua- C Brooke Bodkin Reyanna Broadhurst Ava Campbell Caitlyn Czekanski Kylee Dodge Emma Gehris Ashley Greenwood Erin Leonard Samantha McCarthy Megan McHugh Alana Mobbs Madison Ouellette Alyssa Pitarys Kaylee Rowan Arianna Squeglia Jayden Stack Lillian Tharrington

Photos by Lilly Grodt

CAPTAINS’ Quotes

Boys’ XC » “If everyone is being competitive and pushing each other, it creates a conveyor belt that unites and pushes the team to great performances.”

Kerry Daley, junior SEE PAGE 14 FOR FULL STORY

SEE PAGE 4 FOR FULL STORY

«

Football .

Cheer .

“The team is really talented, and we lost a lot of seniors, but we want to come back stronger than last year.”

Katie Hughes, senior

«

“The team has a bad taste in our mouths from last year, it would be an amazing feeling to win and make up for the last 20 years.”

Josh Berube, senior

SEE PAGE 20 FOR FULL STORY

« Girls’ XC

“I think this season is going to go really well. We have had big improvements so far from last season and we are closer as a pack this year than any other year I’ve been on the team.”

Kaelyn Rourke, senior SEE PAGE 16 FOR FULL STORY

« Boys’ Soccer

“Team spirit is good. I’ve been playing with these kids for years and years so we all know each other pretty well.”

Brian LeClair, senior

SEE PAGE 8 FOR FULL STORY

SEE PAGE 12 FOR FULL STORY

« “Last year we were a young team, but this year we have matured and gained experience.

We’re hoping to make it to Final Four.”

Sammy LeClair, senior

Golf

«

Girls’ Soccer

“The Lancer golfers are ready to grip it and rip it.”

Brian Boyle, senior

Volleyball »

“I love the diversity of all the different kinds of personalities that come together and trying to figure out how all different people will work together to form one tight group.”

Maddie Sanborn, senior

SEE PAGE 9 FOR FULL STORY

SEE PAGE 18 FOR FULL STORY

Field Hockey »

“I definitely think our traditions help with team bonding, especially the pump up sessions before games because we’re all in one room singing and dancing and not caring what we look like.

Because we’re all friends on the team which helps us play and win on the field.”

Miranda Galan, senior SEE PAGE 6 FOR FULL STORY

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New band director Mundy leads rocking field show Amy Overhulser FEATURES EDITOR

Moving to Londonderry from Pelham High School, where he was the Music Director for eight years, Mr. Mundy is stepping into a new role as Band Director at LHS. Mundy graduated from Michigan State University in 2010 with a masters degree in music education and immediately started at PHS. He said he is “very excited” to be teaching at LHS because of its “phenomenal music program.”

Mundy loves Led Zeppelin so when he found out the show included one of the band’s songs Kashmir he was excited that his first band show would be filled with rock and roll music.

“The culture here at LHS is really positive,” Mundy said. “The staff is really friendly, and the students are great. [It’s] a great environment to teach in.”

As Music Director at PHS, Mundy taught songwriting, piano, guitar and drumming classes. At LHS Mundy has migrated to teaching classes such as jazz lab, jazz ensemble and orchestra.

Playing every instrument except for violin, Mundy will be able to work with with Music Director Mr. Beaulieu in teaching students how to play music, how to read it and how to write it.

“Working with Mr. Beaulieu has been really fun,” Mundy said, “and I think we work really well together.”

Photo used with permission from Lancer Music Smugmug.

Band Director Mr. Mundy watches the band finish their half-time show performance on the last day of band camp on August 16.

Photo used with permission from Lancer Music Smugmug

The band performs the opening set in Part 1, forming the word ROCK during the football game against Salem.

SECTION LEADERS Eva Gertz Eric Marsden Alyssa Griffin Emily Haney Kayla Best Mackenzie Conner Patrick Cohen Alyssa Jarvis Courtney Julian Chloe Wilson Kati Huntting Trevor Senecal Alex Quitongan Jimmy Fitzgibbons Anna Hutchinson Max Henson Sammi Miller Izzy Todd AJ Godin Catherine Soucy Zelda Owre Joel Feldmann

Drum Captain Drum Captain Piccolo Piccolo Piccolo Piccolo Clarinet Clarinet Clarinet Clarinet Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet Alto Saxophone Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Mellophone Trombone Trombone Sousaphone Sousaphone Pit

Photo used with persmission from Lancer Music Smugmug

Drum Majors Cassidy Curry, Ian Goodspeed and Mike Crowley converse after the band does a practice run through of the halftime show at Band Camp.

DIRECTORS

DRUM MAJORS

COLORGUARD CAPTAINS

MUSIC DIRECTOR:

IAN GOODSPEED

ADRIANA BELANGER

MR. BEAULIEU

MICHAEL CROWLEY

RHIANNON BLACK

BAND DIRECTOR:

CASSIDY CURRY

MR. MUNDY

Halftime Show Performance Lineup PERCUSSION FEATURE:

PART 1:

“CRAZY TRAIN”

“KASHMIR”

PART 3:

PART 2:

“CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON”

“BACK IN BLACK”

Photo used with permission from Lancer Music Smugmug

The LHS Marching Band and Colorguard take the 2018-2019 school year photo during band camp.

Photo used with permission from Lancer Music Smugmug

Music director Mr. Beaulieu, Band Director Mr. Mundy and retired Music Director Mr. Soucy converse with Govorner Chris Sununu at the Londonderry Old Home’s Day Parade.

Photo used with permission from Lancer Music Smugmug

Mr. Mundy and Mr. Soucy walk together towards the field at the recent Salem football game.

Beaulieu continues LHS Marching Band legacy

Photo used with permission from Lancer Music Smugmug

Mr. Beaulieu prepares to lead the band in the Star Spangled Banner, along with the Salem band on September 7, 2018.

Stepping into the role of Music Director, Mr. Beaulieu is looking forward to the year to come.

“This year, although busy,” Beaulieu said, “is going to be really fun.”

Beaulieu was the band director before becoming Music Director, which he said has been “an interesting change.”

Beaulieu graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in Music Education and went back to UNH to receive his Masters in Music.

When Beaulieu isn’t teaching symphonic and the C and D period band classes, he’s volunteering his time at theatre associations such as Kids Coop Theatre, Majestic Theatre and Peacock Players as a sound technician.

“My kids joined these theatre organizations,” Beaulieu said, “and I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Beaulieu is also the orchestra pit conductor for the LHS Drama Club productions.

Beaulieu is excited for the year to come, and only has one thing to say about taking over Andy Soucy’s role: “I’m not always quick on bad jokes like Andy is.”

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Kait Bedell ONLINE CHIEF

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Each year, Lancer Nation shows their pride in the notoriously loud student section of the bleachers ruled by the Senior Gators.

As seniors begin their final year of high school, the opportunity to join Senior Gators becomes available.

Students come together before home football games to eat and strategize chants before taking the stands to cheer on their classmates.

“It’s a great opportunity for the class to come together at the beginning of the year. To have a family-like community and have “It is something in common to do at the home football games,” said Senior important Gator organizer Ms. McDevitt.” to be involved This year McDevitt leads the senior class of 2019 in organizing Senior and support our Gators for the fall season. classmates in school and “I am excited,” McDevitt said,” but a little nervous because I did it on the field,” senior Abby while I was in high school, so it’s gonna be different to be on the other Follansbee said. “I have been side of coordinating everything.” looking forward to Senior Gators all of After knowing how the system works, McDevitt is eager in her decision high school, and I can’t wait to be apart of to switch things up this year by doing different themes each week. Themes it.” may be based on spirit week costumes, Follansbee or even the opponent’s mascot. along with other “I’m looking forward to seeing this students enjoy supporting come together and to see the senior the team as well as hanging out class have a great beginning of senior before the games. year,” McDevitt said.

“Senior Gators is really fun Another new thing McDevitt hopes because you get to eat a lot of food for this season is the acceptance of all and hang out with friends,” senior four classes in the student section. After Patrick Murphy said. “We like receiving new bleachers, McDevitt throwing the football around before hopes to utilize this extra space to the games and talking about chants welcome a wider variety of ages to the we want to do.” stands.

Students look forward to finally “I think it’s great that they now have having their turn to make some - senior Anthony Federico a set of bleachers where it can fit more noise in the crowd and set the tone of the student body,” McDevitt said. “It for the rest of their senior year. is a student body section, so it’s not all “In the past it’s always looked like about the seniors. They don’t just have one section.” a lot of fun and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” senior Maddie Croteau McDevitt views this new space as an opportunity to further bring said. “It’s an opportunity to get more people excited about football and together the student body and unite a larger portion of Lancer Nation. also a chance to get more involved with my senior class.”

“Everyone can sit together,” McDevitt said. “It shows as a community Both Follansbee and Croteau especially look forward to the Mack that we can all be together and not be segregated from everyone else.”

Plaque game and creating memories while cheering on their classmates Along with banding together different groups of seniors, the Senior throughout the season.

Gators also serve as a positive support system for athletes on the field “When your class comes together to encourage each other, it makes while also helping to keep students out of trouble off the field. the experience more memorable,” Croteau said.

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“I like how it brings out the best in all the fans.

We get together and it makes all of the games more memorable.”

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MACK PLAQUE 2018 GAME SCHEDULE Tuesday 9.4.18 - Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Wedneday 9.19.18 - Golf, 3:30 p.m. @ Passaconway Country Club Friday 9.21.18 - Football, 7 p.m. @ LHS Stadium Field Saturday 9.22.18 - Volleyball, 10 a.m. @ LHS Gym Saturday 9.22.18 - Girls’ Soccer 11:30 a.m. @ Varsity Soccer Field Saturday 9.22.18 - Field Hockey, 1 p.m. @ Matthew Thornton Field Saturday 9.22.18 - Boys’ Soccer, 2:30 p.m. @ Varsity Soccer Field

LET’S GO LANCERS