To put the past year of local high school sports in perspective and to get a preview of the new year, Pioneer Press interviewed first-year Maine South athletic director Andy Turner.
Q: What was the highlight for Maine South’s athletic programs this calendar year?
A: I’ve been here since August. We’ve got a team that (tied for) 16th in the state in girls swimming, a girls cross country team that finished 11th in the state (in Class 3A), a boys cross country team that finished ninth in the state (in Class 3A) and we won a (Class 8A) state championship in football. But we also had success in (girls) volleyball, boys soccer, girls and boys golf. I would say that’s a pretty successful fall. The key to that, though, is 66 of those 91 senior varsity athletes are scholar athletes. They’re kids that are high character and do very well in the classroom. That’s the fun of it. It doesn’t come down to just one day. All of the success that we’ve had is a credit to our kids being able to understand how to handle (academics and athletics).
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Q: What was one team that stood out in 2016?
A: That has gotta be the football team. At one time we were 4-3 in the season. Coming back from that and winning a state championship, that’s remarkable perseverance on their part. To have kids who can build on that and use their quality skills to go to the next level come playoff time was unbelievable to watch. That’s someone that no one in our community will ever forget. (Coach) David Inserra probably had the most rewarding head coaching trip that he’s gone through, and he has been a part of all of our six (football) state championship teams. This time, he was their head coach and defensive coordinator at the same time. That takes a tremendous amount of energy and passion on his side, which he did. That’s a tough job.
Q: Who was one athlete who surpassed expectations on the field or in the classroom, and why?
A: It’s tough for me to pick one. (Quarterback) Nick Leongas had sporadic play in his sophomore and junior seasons due to injuries. He comes into this year (to lead his team to a state championship), and that’s quite an accomplishment. Then there’s (fellow senior) Sean McNulty. He didn’t come off the field. He kicks, he punts, he plays right tackle and (defense). And in cross county, there’s Reese Jordan. His work ethic was tremendous, and he finished 11th in the state.
Q: Who was one coach who went above and beyond this year?
A: There are two parts to this. Allison Groessl, who’s our first-year (girls) volleyball head coach and a former Maine South alum, had success at Carthage College (as a member of the women’s basketball team) and has just done an outstanding job with the culture part of our volleyball program. Our kids were so competitive. She took into consideration their academics, so it’s student first and volleyball player second. They were just a play or two away from winning the regional and being right in the conference race.
Q: Looking back on 2016, is there anything that you wish would have gone differently within the program?
A: It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about earning respect from the people we play against and the people who want to be a part of our program. It’s that constant building of being a better person and helping others. I think that’s something that could’ve gone a bit better.
Q: When you look ahead to 2017, what is your athletic program’s New Year’s resolution?
A: Once you build those (aforementioned) character traits and weave them into your program, you’re going to have more success. Our kids understand the value of academics now more than they did. The carryover you’re going to get from that is learning what your demeanor should be like on a daily basis. If you do that at a high level, people recognize how you go about your business.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about Maine South’s athletics next year?
A: I think we’ll begin to start building on some of our facilities. We need to find a way to adapt our environments to make them more suitable for some projects we’re working on. I know we’re doing some things to our field house, making that more of an environment that’s going to be better for our kids.
Eli Hershkovich is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press