Reluctantly, Ouellet resigns at Methuen

At some point in the future, don't be surprised to see Scott Ouellet coaching cross country and perhaps track at Lowell High School.

But don't broach the idea with Ouellet now. He's still adjusting to his resignation as an assistant cross country and track coach at Methuen High School.

A standout distance runner at Lowell High, Ouellet teaches social studies at his alma mater, but he's been an assistant at Methuen the last nine years, helping Bill James in cross country and Roger Fuller in indoor and outdoor track.

During that time, Ouellet has proven himself as one of the premier assistants in the state and helped the Rangers build a dynasty in cross country. The Rangers, who have a 25-meet unbeaten streak, have won the MVC seven of the last eight years and been the most consistent team in the state in the post-season.

Methuen has qualified for the Division 1 All-State Meet seven of the last eight years, usually as a contender, finishing a heartbreaking second last year. And the hard-working, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Ouellet has been instrumental all along.

Highly respected around the MVC, Ouellet has entertained head coaching offers in the past, including a tempting one at Chelmsford, but he's remained loyal to his troops at Methuen. Even now, he's devastated that, because of a later dismissal time at Lowell and extra responsibilities caused by budget cuts, he felt he had to resign.

"I'm very emotional about this and I'm heartbroken that I won't be with the kids and the coaches," said Ouellet, who also assists the Merrimack Valley Striders. "I make this choice with a lot of regrets, but it was going to be impossible to keep coaching at Methuen. It's extremely disappointing."

Although the Rangers graduated star All-Scholastic Jared Reddy and four other college recruits from last year and were rebuilding, Ouellet was enthusiastic about the upcoming runners.

"We've got some great young runners, led by Michael O'Donnell, who beat Jared's freshman mile record (4:35) and is coming over from soccer, and I know what's coming up," said Ouellet. "Paul McGovern Jr. is one of them, two Reddy brothers and some other kids.

"The program is in good shape and you expect that with a proven coach like Bill James. I'm just sorry I won't be part of it anymore."

Fortunately, James has another fine assistant in former Rangers and UMass Lowell star Kevin Alliette, who has learned under Ouellet and will switch from the girls to the boys team, but Ouellet's departure is huge. He's clearly one of the best assistants in any sport in the region.

Ouellet does say that he hopes to coach again in the future, but that his "coaching employment options outside of Lowell High School would be limited."

That's why I see Ouellet one day replacing 28-year veteran Phil Maia, who has built a terrific program at Lowell over the years and was once Ouellet's coach.

NECC selects new coach

Andrew Barron of Norwood was recently named track and field coach for Northern Essex Community College on the heels of the team completing one of its most successful seasons ever. This spring it placed eighth out of the 25 scoring teams during the NJCAA Division III meet at Howard Community College in Columbia, Md.

Barron's previous experience includes serving as head track and field indoor coach at Emerson College and cross country coach at Framingham State College where he will begin his fifth season. Most recently he was the volunteer assistant track coach at Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley.

Barron is an avid runner who has competed in more than 200 races, three marathons, and 10 half-marathons.

Barron replaces Dawn Caputo, who was the NECC track and field coach for 10 years.

"I'm excited to take over the program," he said. "Dawn did a great job building it up and I look forward to keeping the tradition going."

In addition to coaching, Barron works full time as a data assistant for FirstSearch Technology Corporation in Norwood. He also volunteers his time for the Youth Enrichment Services in South Boston, which introduces children three to 14 to outdoor recreation.

This past year, three members of the Northern Essex women's track and field team were stars at the NJCAA Division Meet, led by freshman Noelia Figuereo of Haverhill.

Figuereo won the 200 meter title (26.18) and also placed second in the 100 meter dash (12.72) which earned her a second-team All-American status in that event. She became the first woman in NECC history to win a national title and joins James Mwangi, who won the 400 meters (49.16) in the inaugural season of track in 2006, as the only athletes in NECC history to win national titles.

Fendone named assistant

Former Central Catholic standout Joey Fendone has been named an assistant wrestling coach at Edinboro University. A three-time New England champ with a 176-6 record for Central, Fendone had a fine 105-40 record as an Edinboro heavyweight, wrapping up his career in 2009 with his third trip to nationals.

Fendone, who ranks second all-time at Edinboro with 45 pins, received his bachelor's degree in sports administration in May of 2009. His brother, Shawn, will be a fifth-year senior for Edinboro this year, competing at 197 pounds.

Legault to help out at Brooks

Haverhill wrestling coach Brett Legault, who was recently told that the Hillies' numbers-challenged mat program will compete this winter, will be a volunteer football coach at Brooks School this fall.

Legault, who previously coached at Haverhill and Sanborn, is well respected as a football coach and will be a welcome addition to Alex Konovalchik's staff, where he'll join — among others — former Timberlane head coach Mike Pariseau.

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Assistant track coach extraordinaire will be missed

Site Map

Contact Us