Waterford — Joshua Bessette has been named head boys' soccer coach at Waterford High School, athletic director Chris Landry announced on Tuesday.

Bessette replaces Joe Mendonca Jr., who guided the Lancers for eight seasons.

Bessette was previously the head girls' soccer coach at Williams School and has served as an assistant at a number of high schools. He also coaches in the CT Rush club soccer program.

"Josh will bring great soccer knowledge to the team and will build upon the competitive soccer tradition that Waterford soccer is known for," Landry said in a release.

Added Bessette: "I am excited to make a positive impact on the Waterford community and to meet the student-athletes that will be a part of the program for next year and future years to come."

Boys' track and field

• Ledyard's Adam Crawford sits in seventh place after Day 1 of the CIAC Decathlon at Manchester High School. Crawford has 2,980 points after the first five events. He finished the 100-meter dash in 11.85 seconds, the long jump in 20 feet, one-half inch, the shot put in 32-0.25, the high jump at 5-6 and the 400 in 52.80.

Two other local athletes are in the top 30. Norwich Free Academy's David Osagie is 14th with 2,843 points, including 11.61 in the 100, 17-7.5 in the long jump, 34-9 in the shot put, 5-10 in the high jump and 56-84 in the 400, while Fitch's Ethan Alves is 28th with 2,655 points, including 12.03 in the 100, 18-8 in the long jump, 32-0.25 in the shot, 5-8 in the high jump and 58.96 in the 400.

Bristol Central's Hunter Peterson lead the event with 3,239 points. The final five events will be held on Wednesday starting at 11 a.m.

Girls' track and field

• Montville's Lauren Ross is in 24th place after Day 1 of the CIAC Heptathlon at Manchester. Ross has 1,744 after the first four events, finishing the 110 hurdles in 17.64, the high jump in 4-4.25, the shot put in 23-11.75 and the 200 in 30.86. New Britain's Raven Jarrett has the lead heading into Wednesday's last four events with 2,582 points.

• Ledyard freshman Katherine Harren placed 15th in the CIAC 2,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:34.61. East Lyme also had three competitors with Karenna Kung placing 26th (9:05.72), Phoebe Provencher 30th (9:31.40) and Saige Deveau 31st (9:51.34). Sydney Dzenutis of NW Regional won the vent in 7:22.55.