In fall 2016, freshmen Chloe Arsenault and Hunter Crocker began their journeys as three-sport athletes. Crocker was a wingback on the football team and Arsenault a striker on the field hockey team. And whether it was football, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, or field hockey, the two excelled and propelled their teams in the next four years to success on the fields and courts.

But this spring, the coronavirus worldwide pandemic ended the spring season for high school, college, professional and recreational athletes all over the globe. The two seniors are disappointed in not playing their final Boothbay Region lacrosse and baseball seasons. For Arsenault, no spring sports means no chance in reaching a scholastic lacrosse milestone. Arsenault accumulated 86 goals in her past three seasons, and likely would have reached the 100 mark this spring. 

On the diamond, Crocker was entering this season as his team’s best hitter and pitching ace. He is also the team’s best catcher and is an occasional outfielder. Even though Boothbay baseball hasn’t achieved the same winning success of its football and basketball programs, Crocker’s favorite sport is baseball. “I really enjoy the game, and I’m definitely disappointed with the season being cancelled,” Crocker said. When reports about a worldwide pandemic started to surface, Crocker didn’t know what to expect when it came to this baseball season. “I didn’t really think much about the season being cancelled until the decision was made. It really surprised me,” he said. Arsenault echoed Crocker’s sentiments. “I’m pretty bummed,” she said.

Last spring, Arsenault and her lacrosse teammates qualified for the tournament by overcoming a competitive disadvantage. Boothbay often played one or two players down, but won enough games to finish seventh in the Heal point standings. Each of the five seasons as a varsity sport, Boothbay lacrosse has overcome inexperience and small rosters to qualify for the tournament. Four years ago, Arsenault was one of those inexperienced players. Her introduction to lacrosse was as a freshman. “A lot of us never really played before high school. Our team has a lot of great athletes, and we all get along, so that’s why we’re able to compete in a sport no one has a lot of experience in,” she said.

In field hockey, Arsenault was named to the Mountain Valley Conference First Team and the All-State field hockey team for her sophomore, junior and senior years. As a junior, she was also one of four finalists for the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame high school female athlete of the year award.

Crocker has also played a large part in the success of the Boothbay sports programs in the past three seasons. Prior to his arrival, the baseball team struggled with low roster numbers and went nearly four seasons without a win. In recent years, another Crocker played a role in boosting Boothbay’s baseball fortunes. His father Ed Crocker became the varsity coach and the Seahawk roster and win totals both grew modestly. This season, Boothbay had several returning players along with four from Wiscasset on a combined baseball team. “I was looking forward to playing, and it would’ve been interesting seeing how those Wiscasset players would’ve helped us.”

This past winter, Crocker and Arsenault led their teams to successful basketball seasons culminating in deep tournament runs. Arsenault was a three-year starter and played on the 2019 Class C State Championship team. The Seahawks’ title defense came up short against No. 1 Winthrop in the regional final. Despite the loss, Arsenault shined in the final, scoring 20 points. Crocker was also a three-year basketball starter. Boothbay qualified for the tournament in each season which included two regional semifinals appearances. He also narrowly missed scoring 1,000 points. Crocker scored 949.

As a sophomore, Crocker played a key role in the football team’s capturing the first-ever Class E championship. His 43-yard touchdown reception sparked a come-from-behind win in the title game. Boothbay trailed 13-6 midway through the third quarter and hadn’t shown much on offense since the first drive. But quarterback Jay Hasch found Crocker open on a broken play and the wingback eluded Maranacook defenders for the tying score. The past two seasons, Crocker played quarterback for the Seahawks’ final season in Class E and inaugural eight-man football. Boothbay lost in the Eight-man Small Conference championship game.

Arsenault’s fall exploits were equally outstanding. She scored 43 goals in her senior field hockey season which helped her accumulate 78 for her four-year career. She also played a key role in the Seahawks’ posting two regional semifinal appearances. Her prowess on the field hockey and lacrosse fields earned her partial sports scholarships to the University of Southern Maine in Gorham. She will play for the Huskies field hockey and lacrosse teams. Arsenault hasn’t decided upon a post-college career, but she will study health care-related classes. 

Crocker will play basketball for Thomas College in Waterville. He will study cybersecurity.