George Rolleston, the longtime track and field coach at Foxcroft Academy, will not skipper the team this season because of health problems, but the Ponies are operating just fine for now under two assistant coaches and a volunteer.

Rolleston, who had coached the outdoor track and field team for 20 years, indoor track for 13 and cross country for nine, declined to specify his health problems. He is still teaching chemistry and physics at the school.

“My doctor told me to curtail my extracurricular activities,” Rolleston said.

The school has advertised Rolleston’s position and Foxcroft athletic director Dave Clement has “a couple of leads.”

Meanwhile, third-year assistant Cori Knight, former Foxcroft runner Sunshine Weinrich Mechtenberg and volunteer coach Chris Almy are running the team and the Ponies haven’t missed a beat in practices.

“We’re in pretty good shape,” Clement said. “I just need someone to oversee the whole thing.”

Rolleston said he has missed not coaching even though the season hasn’t started yet (preseason workouts began March 25, the season opens April 13). He had a group of seniors who would have been in their 12th running season with him.

“Certain days when it’s cold and windy and rainy I don’t [miss it],” he said with a laugh. “But it’s bittersweet, really. It’s hard. I still see the kids every day.”

Richards receives award

Bangor High softball coach Lisa Richards has received the Heroine in Maine Sports Award, an annual honor given by the Maine Principals’ Association.

Richards, a physical education teacher at the William S. Cohen Middle School in Bangor, was honored at the March 4 Mentoring Women in Sports conference, which is sponsored by the MPA.

Richards has coached the high school team since 1988 and does commentary for Maine Public Television during the high school girls basketball tournaments. She also coaches boys soccer and girls basketball at the Cohen School.

Two Megans out with injuries

One Bangor High softball starter and another player who will likely see time at the varsity level are both named Megan – and they’re both out with injuries to their right (throwing) arms.

Starting first baseman and standout hitter Megan Huckins is sitting out with a possible tear in her shoulder. Doctors have told her to give the shoulder total rest for the next two weeks.

With Huckins out coach Lisa Richards has given some playing time at first base to pitcher Shelby Soohey.

“With Megan out we’ve been able to find a spot for [Soohey] in the field, and we already have [pitcher Jen Jimmo] at second when she doesn’t start,” Richards said.

Megan McCrum, who is working her way onto the varsity team, broke her arm during the Bangor girls basketball team’s Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal loss to Cony of Augusta. A projected third baseman, McCrum could get the go-ahead from her doctor next week.

Bangor scrimmaged Skowhegan Monday, the Rams’ first real day of practice outside, and won 6-5.

Softball equipment clarification

The National Federation of State High School Associations has issued information regarding softball equipment for the 2002 season.

First, the NFHS has determined that batting helmets with a permanent National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NCOSAE) sticker will be allowed. Previously, the stickers had not been allowed.

Second, questions had been raised about the legality of laser-engraved bats which some retailers and suppliers are marketing as a way to personalize equipment. The NFHS found no problem with professionally engraved bats. However, bats engraved by an amateur – a parent at home, for example – could have rough edges and therefore change the structure of the bat. Umpires are asked to not permit that type of bat in competition.

Equipped 2 Play grant available

The Women’s Sports Foundation and The Gatorade Company announce a grant program available to girls’ sports programs in junior high and high school, clubs and other recreational organizations in need of equipment and apparel.

The application can be found at www.WomensSportsFoundation.org or by calling the WSF at (800) 227-3988. The deadline for applications is May 30 and winning applications will be announced in August.

Jessica Bloch’s High School Report is published Tuesdays. She can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.