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Maine’s winter high school sports players of the year
This year's best athletes recognized in basketball, ice hockey, wrestling, indoor track and field, skiing and swimming.
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Girls’ basketball: Nia Irving, Lawrence
A dominating inside force, the senior will next play at Boston University.Lawrence standout Nia Irving earned the Maine Sunday Telegram girls’ basketball Player of the Year honor by averaging 25.8 points, 21.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocked shots and 1.5 steals.John Donato has used many words or phrases to describe Nia Irving. Recently, the Lawrence High girls’ basketball coach used a new one when talking about his star player.
“She was like a mother this year,” he said. “All the sophomores were following her around, they wanted to be with her.”
Irving, a 6-foot-1 senior center, was the focal point of the Bulldogs’ success. This season her role expanded beyond just scoring points and grabbing rebounds; she became a leader.
“She had a very mature outlook on the game and all the kids on the team,” said Donato. “She was never negative, always positive. She was always trying to help the other kids.”
Irving is the selection as Maine Sunday Telegram girls’ basketball Player of the Year. She averaged 25.8 points, 21.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocked shots and 1.5 steals and became a four-time KVAC Player of the Year, leading the league in scoring each year.
For her career she scored 1,754 points – second in school history behind the legendary Cindy Blodgett – and grabbed 1,206 rebounds.
“She was the most dominating player I’ve ever had offensively and defensively,” said Donato, who has coached for 39 years at five schools, including the last six seasons at Lawrence. “She had great hands and anticipated so well. That’s because she played a lot of basketball in her life.”
Irving grew up watching her older sisters play at Lawrence.
“I was always practicing, always watching the game,” she said. “I love the sport.”
Her career highlight was winning the Class A state championship as a junior. This winter the Bulldogs lost 58-57 to York in the Class A title game.
“It was very tough,” said Irving. “Having played with the group of girls all year, we had built a strong connection.”
Donato said that was evident in the way she cared for her teammates. Hunter Mercier, a sophomore, missed most of her freshman year after tearing her ACL. Irving, who tore her ACL after her sophomore season while playing AAU ball, helped Mercier during rehabilitation.
“(Irving) talked to her, consoled her when she needed consoling,” said Donato. “She was her biggest partner in recuperation.”
“She was one of my best friends,” said Irving. “I understood what she was going through, how tough it is to sustain that injury and come back.”
Irving will next play at Boston University, where Blodgett happens to be an assistant coach.
“I’m looking forward to hearing what she has to say, because she knows a lot about this game,” said Irving.
TELEGRAM GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ALL-STATE TEAM
Alisha Aube, Westbrook junior, guard: A dead-eye shooter, the 6-foot Aube has the ability to play inside or out. She averaged 17.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals. Aube has 932 career points and 299 rebounds. She is being recruited by several Division I schools.
Kolleen Bouchard, Houlton sophomore, forward: The 5-foot-10 Bouchard is an inside-outside threat. In two years, she has scored 900 points, with 376 rebounds, 158 assists and 157 blocked shots. Houlton won the Class B state title as Bouchard averaged 20.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Anna DeWolfe, Greely freshman, guard: In her first varsity season, DeWolfe led the Western Maine Conference in scoring by averaging 20.4 points per game. She also led the Rangers with 3.1 assists and 3.6 steals, while pulling down 5.0 rebounds. Dangerous in the open court. She is being recruited by several Division I colleges.
Emily Esposito, Gorham junior, guard: A three-time all-state selection, the 5-foot-10 Esposito is being recruited by at least 10 Division I schools. She averaged 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.1 steals to lead the Rams to the Class AA state title. She has 1,034 career points.
Maddie Hasson, South Portland senior, forward: A finalist for Miss Maine Basketball and repeat all-state selection, the 5-foot-11 Hasson averaged 21.7 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.3 steals. She finished with 1,111 career points and 672 rebounds. She will play at Bowdoin.
Nia Irving, Lawrence senior, center: The winner of the Miss Maine Basketball award and a three-time all-state selection, the 6-foot-1 Irving has been the state’s most dominant inside player for four seasons. She finished her career with 1,754 points and 1,206 rebounds. She will play at Boston University.
Emily Jacques, Edward Little senior, forward: The 6-foot Jacques led the Red Eddies to the Class AA state final, averaging 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.1 steals with 26 blocked shots. She will attend Springfield.
Dominique Lewis, Lawrence senior, guard: A four-year starter, Lewis led the KVAC in assists each season. This winter, the 5-foot-5 Lewis averaged 15 points and six assists and led the league with 63 3-pointers. She finished her career with 1,054 points.
Kelsey Shaw, Mt. Desert Island senior, guard/forward: The 5-foot-10 Shaw finished her career with 1,031 points. This season, she averaged 17.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 4.0 steals. She will play at Division II Stonehill.
Chloe Smedley, York senior, forward: A three-year starter, the 5-foot-10 Smedley played her best in big games, including a 23-point effort in the Class A state final. She averaged 14.2 points and 6.9 rebounds. Smedley will next play at Maine Maritime.
Shannon Todd, York senior, forward: A Miss Maine Basketball finalist, the 5-foot-11 Todd led York to the Class A title. She averaged 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals, and finished with 1,095 points and 479 rebounds. She will play at Northeastern.
Jess Willerson, McAuley senior, center: A 6-foot-2 center, Willerson combined inside power with nifty moves to average 18.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. An all-state selection as a sophomore, she finished her career with 1,101 points. She will play at Cornell.
Coach of the Year
Rick Clark, York: It was a storybook ending as Clark retired after the Wildcats won the Class A state championship. That was the 508th career victory for Clark, who spent the last 34 years coaching the York girls, and it gave him his fourth state championship.
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Boys’ basketball: Amir Moss, Portland
The senior guard had impressive stats, but was at his best when the game - or championship - was on the line.Amir Moss often sacrificed his own offense for the good of the team, but he was at his best in the Class AA state championship game, leading Portland to a 52-50 double-OT win over South Portland.Amir Moss was quite capable of dominating games, according not only to his own coach, but to several opposing coaches.
He just didn’t need to, such was Portland High’s balance and Moss’ willingness to sacrifice his own stats for the benefit of the team.
With Maine’s first Class AA state championship hanging in the balance, though, Moss stepped to the forefront. He scored all 10 of Portland’s fourth-quarter points, the only two in the first overtime, and finally the last of his five go-ahead baskets in the second overtime of Portland’s 52-50 win against South Portland.
“I put that game on tape and I get goose bumps,” Portland Coach Joe Russo said. “Amir had to make like five game-winners.”
Moss, a strong, 5-foot-11 senior guard, finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds, doing most of his damage inside against South Portland’s much taller front line. His ability to raise his game when needed the most as the leader of the state’s best team is why he’s the Maine Sunday Telegram boys’ basketball Player of the Year.
“He stepped up on the biggest stage,” said Deering Coach Todd Wing. “He took over the game in the state championship game. He made big shots, and he’s the team leader. If you’re talking about the player of this year, it’s Amir Moss.”
Moss was a consistent force throughout the season, averaging 18.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals. He made 58 percent of his shots and often guarded taller opponents.
Also receiving strong consideration for player of the year were seniors Thomas Coyne of Falmouth, Andrew Fleming of Oxford Hills and Nick Gilpin of Hampden Academy. Fleming was named Maine Gatorade player of the year, and Gilpin was Mr. Maine Basketball.
“It’s an honor,” Moss said. “Especially with all that good talent around the state.”
Moss, who is undecided about college, played in three state championship games. He helped Portland win the Class A title as a sophomore sixth man in 2014. He suffered one of his three career losses to Hampden in the 2015 Class A final.
“Personally, I feel like I could have scored more, but I really didn’t have to or need to, and when I’m playing I try to put the team first,” Moss said. “I realize it’s not about me scoring a whole bunch more points every night.”
But when asked to score in the Class AA final, Moss obliged. “I did feel I needed to step up a little more than the past couple games and Coach Russo kept saying ‘If Amir’s open, get him the ball,’ ” Moss said. “My teammates did it, and I was trying to come through as much as I could.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Milo Belleau, Waynflete senior, guard: Led a balanced, veteran team to the Class C South title while averaging 14.2 points. The 6-foot-1 lefty made game-winning plays three times during season, including in an upset of Falmouth. Named the WMC’s Butler Award winner.
Thomas Coyne, Falmouth senior, guard: Capped his career with a brilliant playoff run to the Class A championship. Averaged 25.3 points, 5.1 assists and 2.9 steals, and made 47 3-pointers in the regular season.
Nicholas DePatsy, Medomak Valley senior, guard/forward: A Mr. Maine semifinalist, DePatsy led his team to a 17-4 season, averaging 19.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists while making 47 3-pointers and 83 percent of his free throws. Scored 1,313 career points.
Andrew Fleming, Oxford Hills senior, forward: The Maine Gatorade Player of the Year who signed a letter of intent to play at Maine, he averaged 28.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 4.1 steals for the 15-5 Vikings.
Nick Gilpin, Hampden Academy senior, point guard: Gilpin, chosen as Mr. Maine Basketball, capped a standout career by averaging 17.6 points, 7.4 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 steals. He will join Thomas Coyne at Bates.
Jackson Lesure, Lake Region senior, forward: The emotional leader of the Class B champions, he was known for his savvy and toughness and averaged 15.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
Amir Moss, Portland senior, guard: The leader of the Class AA state champions averaged 18.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals and made 58 percent of his shots as Portland went 20-1 to win its second state title in three years.
Matt Pushard, Brewer senior, center: The 6-foot-4 Pushard plans to play baseball at the University of Maine, but he was Brewer’s basketball MVP for three years and a Mr. Maine semifinalist. He averaged 19.8 points, a KVAC-leading 13.4 rebounds and a team-high 4.6 assists in a 15-5 season for the Witches.
Riley Robinson, Dirigo senior, forward: A Mr. Maine semifinalist, Robinson scored 1,974 career points. The three-time Mountain Valley Conference player of the year averaged 28.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists as a senior.
Tyus Sprague-Ripley, Massabesic senior, forward: An athletic, high-jumping post player who transferred from Oxford Hills, he averaged 19.5 points, an SMAA-leading 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.5 blocks while leading the league by making 64 percent of his shots.
Jack Tilley, Thornton Academy senior, guard: A first-year senior from New Brunswick, the 5-10 Tilley impressed with his ability to score in a variety of ways and set up teammates. He averaged 15.3 points and 4.8 assists and earned All-SMAA first-team honors for a 16-3 team.
Shyheim Ulrickson, Mt. Ararat senior, guard: The KVAC Class A South player of the year averaged 20.5 points, 4.6 assists and 6.5 rebounds. He also made 45 3-pointers and scored more than 1,500 career points.
COACH OF THE YEAR
David Halligan, Falmouth: After starting the year 8-3, Falmouth just kept getting better and peaked with a dominating win in the Class A final against Oceanside. While star guard Thomas Coyne and his brother, Colin, were known commodities, the key to success was the development of a dependable front court.
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Boys’ hockey: Matt Caron, Scarborough
His coach calls him a 'dream player ... who was always working to get better.'Matt Caron, who helped Scarborough appear in two straight Class A state championship games, also impressed his opponents. “Caron is the best center in the state,” said Cheverus Coach Dan Lucas.SCAROROUGH — Matt Caron talks about his team and says “we” a lot, and speaks of Scarborough’s success because “we had everyone there.”
No doubt, Scarborough High had a good boys’ hockey team, reaching the Class A state championship game two straight years. But without Caron, that kind of success would have been doubtful.
It was Caron who came back from injury last year just in time for the Red Storm’s playoff run, when Scarborough went from a No. 4 seed in the West/South to the state championship.
And it was Caron who led his team in both goals (20) and assists (22) this season as the Red Storm won another regional title.
Caron, the recipient of the Travis Roy Award as the top Class A senior hockey player, is also the Maine Sunday Telegram boys’ hockey Player of the Year.
“I have to say Matt Caron is a coach’s dream player,” Scarborough Coach Norm Gagne said. “He’s a scorer, a playmaker, a defensive player, an unselfish player, a leader, and he’s a true competitor.”
Caron competed to the end. With Scarborough down 2-1 to Cheverus late in a regular-season game, Caron scored with 13 seconds left to secure a tie. He did the same thing against Lewiston, scoring with 6.3 seconds remaining to give the Red Storm a 1-1 tie.
“Caron is the best center in the state,” Cheverus Coach Dan Lucas said. “He is great on the draw, sees the ice well, has a second gear, and can finish.”
Scarborough remained undefeated until two late losses. Then came the 2-1 loss to Lewiston in the state championship game, with the Blue Devils scoring a last-minute goal this time.
“We were a bounce or a goal away from winning another state title,” Caron said. “We worked incredibly hard that game. Lewiston also had a fantastic game.”
That game was Caron’s last. He will not be playing in college.
“I considered it,” Caron said. “I thought if I played a couple of years of juniors, then I could go to a Division III school. But I thought it would be easier to play another sport that I love and go to college right out of high school.”
Caron is headed to Maine Maritime Academy, where he plans to study engineering and play soccer.
“Matt is just an all-round athlete that comes around just a very few times in a coaching career,” Gagne said. “He was never satisfied with his game, always working to get better.
“Matt was one of a great group of key players here at Scarborough that helped bring our program to where it is today.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Robbie Armitage, Falmouth junior, forward: A heady player, Armitage usually put himself in position to be a part of the Yachtsmen’s relentless attack, recording 25 assists along with his 14 goals.
Chris Camelio, Falmouth junior, forward: Camelio centered Falmouth’s feared top line and had 24 goals and 18 assists for the Class A South runner-up.
Matt Caron, Scarborough senior, forward: One of the state’s premier centers and clutch players, Caron led the Red Storm to a second straight trip to the Class A state final with 20 goals and 22 assists.
Walter Conrad, Yarmouth senior, defenseman: Was on the ice a lot because of both his defensive prowess and his offensive skills. He had 14 goals and 24 assists for the Class B South champions.
Derek Fournier, Bangor junior, goalie: Fournier kept the Rams in a lot of close games, often facing more than 40 shots against the best teams. His .925 save percentage was the best among full-time Class A goalies.
Ross LeBlond, Scarborough senior, goalie: LeBlond transferred from Cape Elizabeth and backstopped a stellar defense. He shined in the playoffs, stopping 80 of 83 shots to lead Scarborough to the title game.
Brandon Nale, Messalonskee junior, forward: Messalonskee again featured offensive fireworks, paced by Nale, who led the state with 75 points (including 39 goals) for the Class B North runner-up.
Jeromey Rancourt, Lewiston junior, forward: Led the state champions with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in the regular season. In the state title game, he assisted on one goal and scored the winner with 29 seconds left.
Andrew Roderigue, Waterville junior, defenseman: Besides being a solid defenseman, Roderigue can shoot. He scored 27 goals in the regular season and got the winner in overtime in the Class B title game.
Austin Roy, St. Dominic senior, forward: Roy led St. Dom’s to the Class A North final, totaling 17 goals and 13 assists.
Ben Steele, Edward Little senior, defenseman: The Red Eddies finished third in Class A North, and Steele sometimes carried the team, recording 33 points (four goals, 29 assists).
Walsh Troiani-Gagner, Thornton Academy senior, defenseman: Returned to high school play after a year in juniors, helping the Trojans become a contender again. He had 10 goals and eight assists.
Coach of the Year
Jamie Belleau, Lewiston: The Blue Devils had a blend of young and veteran talent, and Belleau toughened up the team with exhibition games against Massachusetts powerhouses, then had them peaking at the right time to win Lewiston’s first Class A state championship since 2002.
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Girls’ hockey: Sami Shoebottom, Scarborough
The talented scorer is heading to prep school after three exceptional seasonsSami Shoebottom, left, scored 52 goals in only 21 games this winter while leading Scarborough to the girls’ hockey state championship game. For the second year in a row, she’s the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year.SCARBOROUGH — Since her stellar freshman season two years ago, Sami Shoebottom has heard how she needed a greater challenge than high school hockey.
But Shoebottom likes her Scarborough High team, and stayed. She dominated as a sophomore, winning Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year honors in girls’ hockey in 2015.
Shoebottom did it again this winter. After a 69-point performance, Shoebottom is the first girls’ hockey player to be chosen as Telegram Player of the Year two seasons in a row.
But she will not win the honor a third straight year. Shoebottom is finally listening to those telling her to move on. Next year, she will play for The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
“It’s a good opportunity,” Shoebottom said. “I’m upset about leaving, obviously. I formed a lot of good friendships here. But if I want to pursue a career in hockey, I have to leave.”
She had quite a high school career, beginning with a state championship as a freshman, then reaching the regional final last year and the state final this winter.
“She put the team first and wanted to do whatever she could to get the team to the top,” said Scarborough Coach Caitlin D’Amour.
What she could do best was score, with 52 goals and 17 assists. In two regular-season games against rival Falmouth, Shoebottom scored twice in a 2-2 tie, then recorded two goals and an assist in a 3-2 win. In the playoffs, she scored a hat trick in a 5-2 victory over Falmouth.
“Sami can dominate a game and dictate the play in every zone,” D’Amour said. “She plays an obvious role on our team in regards to the scoreboard, but she also played a big part in the locker room … she’s been a role model to her teammates.”
Besides Shoebottom’s precise, laser shots, “she played hard, tough hockey,” said D’Amour said. “Not just the finesse fancy stuff – she’s a tough player that will grind hard along the boards and in the corners … I’m assuming she gets that from her dad (former Maine Mariners and Boston Bruins player Bruce Shoebottom).”
Shoebottom also has played junior hockey in Massachusetts on Sundays and in tournaments. That’s how Ari Baum, coach of the The Hill School’s girls’ team, discovered her.
“She immediately stood out for having superior hockey sense,” Baum said. “We really needed to add a player who could become a major offensive contributor – Sami has all the tools to be able to do just that.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Kristina Cornelio, St. Dominic freshman, forward: Cornelio was superb at finishing plays, as well as setting up her teammates. She finished with 25 goals and 27 assists for the state champions.
Isabelle Frenette, St. Dominic freshman, defenseman: Frenette is a complete player end-to-end. Strong with the puck, she totaled 22 goals – including the winner in the state final – and 13 assists.
Rebekah Guay, Biddeford junior, goalie: Guay kept her team in games, often facing 30 to 40 shots. She also recorded three shutouts and helped the rebuilding Tigers reach the playoffs.
Jill Hannigan, Cheverus senior, defenseman: Played both forward and defense, finishing with 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) in 15 games. Hannigan will play for Nichols College.
Sarah Hutcheon, Falmouth senior, forward: With a powerful shot, Hutcheon was a threat every time she touched the puck. She led Yachtsmen to the South final with 29 points (19 goals, 10 assists).
Avery Lutrzykowski, St. Dominic freshman, forward: An excellent playmaker who helped the Saints’ top line sizzle, she recorded 22 goals and 28 assists in 18 games. She had four points in a 5-4 win over previously undefeated Greely in the North final.
Ellie Schad, Greely junior, defenseman: Besides being the anchor on the defensive end, Schad often pushed up the puck, creating rushes. She ended up with 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists).
Sami Shoebottom, Scarborough junior, forward: With a remarkable scoring touch, Shoebottom was heavily defended in every game, yet still accumulated 69 points (52 goals, 17 assists).
Martina St. Angelo, Falmouth senior, defenseman: The Yachtsmen were known for their offense, but St. Angelo proved to be a very solid defenseman while chipping in seven goals and seven assists.
Danita Storey, Greely senior, forward: When Storey was around the net with the puck, she was hard to stop, recording 23 goals and 19 assists. Storey finished her career with more than 100 goals.
Courtney Sullivan, Greely sophomore, forward: Sullivan is 5-foot-10 with deceiving speed. She showed the ability to take over games, offensively and defensively, and totaled 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists).
Nica Todd, Greely junior, goalie: Todd became a dependable goalie who made big saves in close games while recording a 1.40 goals-against average.
Coach of the Year
Paul Gosselin, St. Dominic: Gosselin welcomed a load of gifted players, most of whom were freshmen. Dominating lesser teams and learning from mistakes in their losses, the Saints emerged as the state’s best team, only two years after the program was reduced to junior varsity status.
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Girls’ track; Nyagoa Bayak, Westbrook
The freshman was Maine and New England's best female high jumper, while also starting on the girls' basketball team.Nyagoa Bayak, a freshman from Westbrook, recorded first-place finishes in the high jump and long jump and placed third in the triple jump at the SMAA indoor track championships in Gorham on Feb. 6. Bayak went on to set a state record in the high jump at the Class A championships, then won the New England championship.Nyagoa Bayak earned a starting position on Westbrook’s basketball team during her first varsity season. And basketball wasn’t even her best winter sport.
Bayak also won state and New England titles in the high jump while setting a state record of 5 feet, 7 inches, even though she had little time to train. For much of the season, she was ranked fifth in the nation in the high jump.
That’s why Bayak, a freshman, is the Maine Sunday Telegram girls’ indoor track Athlete of the Year.
Four female athletes were double-winners at the two state meets this indoor season, and one won three events (Orono’s Tia Tardy). But Bayak was the only Mainer to win a New England title.
Those accomplishments came despite the fact that she devoted much of her time to basketball. Westbrook jumps coach Andy Lefebvre said most of Bayak’s high jump training happened at meets, because she worked track in around basketball practice and games. Lefebvre would tell Bayak during meets how to adjust her form or approach, and she would make the adjustment on the fly.
Bayak went into the Class A state meet with her sights set on the indoor state record of 5-61/4 set by Bangor’s Grace MacLean in 2010. She got it by clearing 5-7.
Then she went to the New England championships on Feb. 28 as the top-ranked jumper. After securing the New England title, she went after the Maine all-time best record of 5-9, set by Messalonskee’s Jesse Lebreck in 2008.
But the composure and maturity Bayak has shown throughout her freshman season gave way to a moment of complete exuberance.
“It was typical 14-year-old nerves,” Westbrook Coach Tim Even said. “When she got to 5-8, she was so ecstatic she won she couldn’t get her nerves under control. Her three attempts all happened within two minutes.
“I think the reason that happened at New Englands was for the first time, she was in this huge meet environment jumping for a championship. There are so many factors that go into making you jump well. I think her not being able to practice definitely affects her.”
Still, Bayak didn’t let the nerves of being a novice varsity athlete get in the way of her collecting two major titles and a state record.
“She definitely handled it pretty well and was able to overcome her nerves and have success,” Even said.
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Nyagoa Bayak, Westbrook freshman, jumps: Won the Class A high jump with a state record of 5-7, then captured the New England title at the same height. For much of the season, Bayak ranked sixth in the nation in the high jump.
Anna Beaudet, Edward Little senior, sprints: Took second in the 55 meters (7.41) and third in the 200 (26.79) at the Class A state meet and also ran a leg on the winning 800 relay (1:48.60) that gave Edward Little its first indoor team championship. The same relay team also ran a Maine all-best time of 1:47.70 at the New England meet.
Emma Egan, Yarmouth senior, sprints/jumps: Broke her own Class B state record with a high jump of 5-6 to repeat as champion, and also won the 55 (7.46) and took third in the 200 (27.20). Egan finished second in the high jump (5-5) at the New England championships and sixth at the New Balance nationals (5-51/4) to earn All-America status.
Katherine Leggat-Barr, Greely junior, distance: Runner-up in both the mile (5:14.30) and the 2-mile (11:32.11) at the Class B state meet. Ran a state-leading 11:14.44 in the 2-mile to finish 12th at the New England championships.
Maddy Price, Skowhegan senior, sprints/jumps: Was a double-winner at the Class A state meet, winning the 55 by a hundredth of a second (7.40) and soaring to a state-leading mark of 35-63/4 in the triple jump.
Elisabeth Redwood, Bonny Eagle senior, sprints: Won the 200 (26.32) at the Class A state meet and finished second in the 400 (58.74). Earlier in the season, she set an all-time Maine best in the 400 (57.52). Redwood finished sixth in the 600 (1:35.45) at the New England meet.
Anna Slager, Gorham sophomore, distance: Was a double-winner at the Class A state meet, capturing the 1-mile by 10 seconds (5:19.23) and also winning the 2-mile (11:27.70). Earlier in the season, she ran a 5:14.34 mile.
Lauren Stoops, Orono senior, sprints/hurdles: Stoops won the hurdles (8.70) and 200 (26.68) and was the runner-up in the 55 (7.49) at the Class B meet to help lift Orono to its first state championship.
Tia Tardy, Orono junior, distance: Won three events at the Class B state meet – 800 (2:23.24), mile (5:10.46) and 2-mile (11:30.72). At the EMITL championships, Tardy became the second fastest indoor miler in state history, posting a time of 4:55.23.
Emily Turner, Cheverus junior, sprints: Captured the 400 (58.47) at the Class A meet and was the runner-up in the 200 (26.64). Finished 11th at the New England championships in the 300 (41.16).
Coach of the Year
Chris Libby, Orono: Guided the Red Riots to their first Class B indoor state championship, as Orono won seven of 14 events to capture the title with ease, 87-65 over Greely. The indoor championship comes after Orono won four consecutive Class C state championships outdoors.
– Deirdre Fleming
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Boys’ track: Sam Rusak, Scarborough
After a tough finish in the state meet as a sophomore, he bounced back to become one of Maine's best ever vaulters.Scarborough’s Sam Rusak has established himself as one of the best pole vaulters in Maine history with a top height of 15 feet, nine inches. He’s also a state champion in the high jump and an aspiring decathlete.As a sophomore last year, Sam Rusak went into the Class A indoor state meet seeded first in the pole vault but fouled out without clearing any height.
This season, he was a different athlete.
Rusak cleared 15 feet for the first time in January, then two weeks later won the SMAA title at 15 feet, 9 inches – the fifth-best vault ever in New England. Another two weeks passed, and he captured his first state title at the Class A championships with a vault of 15-6. He also won the high jump (6-2) and finished sixth in the 400 meters (52.30) to help his team to its fifth state title in six years.
Rusak, who now ranks second in Maine history in the pole vault, is the Maine Sunday Telegram boys’ indoor track Athlete of the Year.
“I thought he had an outstanding sophomore year. Then the state meet was a little bit back to reality for him,” said Scarborough Coach Derek Veilleux. “He came back this year, and you could just tell he was never going to let that happen to him again. He realized he had put too much pressure on himself last year. He was in a funk, and it took him (the entire outdoor season) to get out of it.
“You could just tell this year, weeks before the state meet, he was in a different place mentally. His confidence played a huge role in how he did this year.”
Scarborough has a long tradition of exceptional pole vaulters: 14 indoor champions since 1985 and 17 outdoor champions dating back to 1936.
Rusak’s ability to overcome setbacks and become one of the state’s all-time best makes his performance stand out.
His best finish at a state meet before this season was second at the Class A outdoor meet last year, which he secured with a height of 13-6. This indoor season, he vaulted more than two feet higher and improved by eight inches in the high jump.
“Last year he cleared (6 feet) once in the high jump. This year, every time he was over 6 feet,” Veilleux said.
Rusak still has a ways to go in the pole vault to reach the Maine and New England all-time best mark of 16-9 set in 2008 by David Slovenski of Brunswick. In the long run, though, Rusak’s best event might be the decathlon.
He’s slowly mastering the 10 events and has had success at the regional level, winning his age group in the decathlon at the USA Track and Field Region 1 meet last summer.
“His vault is good, but there are plenty of (NCAA) Division I vaulters. Something he has his eye on is the decathlon,” Veilleux said. “He certainly has a lot to learn. But he knows all the events now. And he is getting better at them all the time.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Ryan Bender, Mt. Desert Island senior, sprints: A double-winner at the Class B state meet, placing first in the 200 (23.00) and 400 (51.64) while taking second in the 55 (6.71). Finished 13th in the 300 (36.62) at the New England championships.
Paul Casavant, Hampden Academy junior, distance: Won the 2-mile at the Class A state meet by 16 seconds (9:34.68) and finished fourth at the New England meet (9:22.63).
Paolo DeMarco, Deering senior, sprints: Won the 400 at the Class A state meet in a state-leading time of 50.62 and finished second in the 200 (23.21). DeMarco was sixth in the 300 at the New England championships (35.52).
Tre Fletcher, Cheverus freshman, jumps: Took second at the Class A state meet in both the long jump (20-81/2) and high jump (6-0). Fletcher also placed third in the long jump at the New England championships (21-7)
Trever Gray, Waterville senior, throws: Successfully defended his Class B state title in the shot put (52-73/4) and was the runner-up at the New England championships (54-61/4).
Griffin Madden, Scarborough senior, hurdles: Won the hurdles at the Class A state meet (7.79) and finished eighth in the high jump (5-10). Also placed third in the hurdles at the New England championships with a state-leading time of 7.69.
Austin Lufkin, Brewer junior, throws: Won the shot put at the Class A state meet (54-91/2) and finished fourth at the New England championships (53-113/4).
Erick Seekins, Brewer senior, jumps: Won the long jump (21-2) at the Class A state meet and finished second at New Englands (21-91/4). He also finished fifth in the 400 at the state meet (51.91).
Matt Polewaczyk, Falmouth junior, sprints: Won the 200 at the Class A state meet (23.14), was third in the 55 (6.78) and ran a leg on Falmouth’s winning 800 relay that set a state record (1:32.89). That relay finished third in New England in an all-time Maine best time of 1:31.83.
Sam Rusak, Scarborough junior, jumps/sprints: Won the high jump (6-2) and pole vault (15-6) at the Class A state meet and also placed sixth in the 400 (52.30) to help lead Scarborough to the team title. Earlier in the season, he posted the fifth all-time best mark in New England in the pole vault (15-9).
Coach of the Year
Ted Hutch, York: Hutch led the Wildcats past Foxcroft Academy, 56-44, at the Class B state meet for an unexpected championship – York’s fourth title in five years.
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Boys’ skiing: Luca DeAngelis, Maranacook
He won almost every major race in an injury-free senior season.Maranacook senior Luca DeAngelis won almost every race he entered this winter, including the Class B freestyle state championship by 11 seconds, which came a day after he posted a 31-second win in the Class B classical race.Luca DeAngelis grew up in a skiing family. He followed the tracks of sister, Hannah, and brother, Tyler, and spent big chunks of his childhood watching his father, Steve, who has coached Maranacook’s Nordic program for 31 years.
When DeAngelis was younger, he remembers not liking skiing all that much because of the cold and having to watch others ski. Once he had a chance to pull on a bib, however, his perspective changed.
“I definitely liked racing more,” he said.
A summer of hard work paid off this winter, as the Maranacook senior won every major high school Nordic race in Maine, including the Sassi Memorial classical and the Class B freestyle and classical state championships. He also was Maine’s top qualifier for the Eastern High School Championships, held last weekend in Ripton, Vermont.
He is our choice as Maine Sunday Telegram boys’ Skier of the Year.
“He’s worked at it a long time,” said Steve DeAngelis. “His freshman, sophomore and junior years, he was very good, but something always got in the way, whether it was injuries or sickness or being nervous.”
Not this year. DeAngelis built up his upper-body strength for better double poling and his lower-body strength for longer, more powerful gliding. He also learned to relax.
“If you can relax, it’s possible to ski much faster,” Steve said. “If you’re tense, you can’t balance, so you wear out faster. Of course, he’s a coach’s kid, so he’s heard all these things a million times, but he had to internalize it.”
DeAngelis won the Leavitt Hornet Classic 5K in early January over a field of 126 and, except for the Oxford Hills Sprints – a mad dash that’s over in less than four minutes – he kept on winning. His margin of victory in the Sassi Memorial was 22 seconds. It was 11 seconds in the KVAC freestyle, three seconds in the KVAC classical, 31 in Class B classical and 11 in Class B freestyle.
“It was the year everything came together for me in skiing,” he said. “It was a fun year for me, because I didn’t have as many injuries or illnesses. There’s always been something. This year, I worked around that and trained less during the season and avoided it.”
As valedictorian of his class, DeAngelis has several good options for college, including Bowdoin and Middlebury. He plans to continue skiing and study government and law, possibly political science.
“I know I want to go into public service or humanitarian law,” he said, “somewhere in that realm.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Tucker Barber, Mt. Blue junior: Class A classical champion who also placed second in freestyle to lead Mt. Blue to the Nordic state title. Runner-up in the Sassi Memorial classical race and an Eastern High School Championships competitor.
Maxx Bell, Edward Little sophomore: Won the Class A slalom by three seconds and placed eighth in giant slalom to lead EL to the Alpine state title. He was the top Maine qualifier for the Eastern championships.
Taylor Davis, Lake Region senior: The top Maine finisher in slalom at the Eastern High School Championships, and a two-time WMC slalom and giant slalom champion.
Luca DeAngelis, Maranacook senior: Swept the Class B Nordic freestyle and classical races by 11 and 31 seconds, respectively. He also won the Sassi Memorial classical race over a field of 162 and was the top Maine qualifier for the Eastern championships.
Joey Guimond, Fort Kent senior: Won slalom by three seconds and placed second in giant slalom to lead Fort Kent to the Alpine state title in the school’s first year competing in Class B.
John Lane, Yarmouth junior: Runner-up to Luca DeAngelis in the Class B freestyle and classical races. Placed fourth in the Sassi Memorial classical race, as well as second in WMC freestyle and third in classical.
Devon Lathrop, Cape Elizabeth freshman: Won giant slalom and placed fifth in slalom to help the Capers finish third in Class A Alpine. Was the second Maine skier in giant slalom at the Eastern championships.
Axel Lindsay, Greely junior: Runner-up in both slalom and giant slalom in Class A Alpine. The top Maine finisher in giant slalom at the Eastern championships, second in WMC slalom, and third in WMC giant slalom.
Ian McKendry, Forest Hills senior: Class B giant slalom champion who placed fourth in slalom (after tumbling on his back just before the finish line and crossing on one ski). Placed sixth in Class C giant slalom as a junior.
Willson Moore, Waynflete junior: Runner-up in Class C freestyle and classical races, and WMC classical champion by 12 seconds, as well as fifth in freestyle. Was the third Maine qualifier for the Eastern championships.
Tucker Pierce, Maine Coast Waldorf junior: Swept Class C freestyle and classical races (by 48 and 28 seconds) to lead MCW to a fourth straight Nordic state title. Also was the WMC freestyle champion and an Eastern championships competitor.
Brad Ravenelle, Portland senior: The Class A freestyle champion who also placed second in classical. He was third in the Sassi Memorial and an Eastern championships competitor. He plans a gap year at Maine Winter Sports Center before enrolling at Bates.
Coach of the Year
Joel Hinshaw, Freeport Nordic: In his 14th year at Freeport, Hinshaw guided the Falcons to the Class B Nordic title with a junior-dominated team that squeezed four classical skiers among the top 10 and four among the top eight in freestyle.
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Girls’ skiing: Kaelyn Woods, Gray-New Gloucester
The senior won two state Nordic titles for a third straight year and excelled at the Junior Olympics.FARMINGTON, ME - FEBRUARY 19: Kaelyn Woods, of Gray-New Gloucester, skis in the Girls Class B Freestyle race Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Farmington, Maine. Woods finished in first place. (Photo by Joel Page/Staff Photographer)To the surprise of no one, Kaelyn Woods dominated Maine’s high school Nordic season.
The senior from Gray-New Gloucester High won her third straight Class B freestyle state title and third straight classical title.
She also earned all-America honors in three events at the Junior Olympics in Cable, Wisconsin, and led a Maine contingent at the Eastern High School Championships in Ripton, Vermont.
“As far as athletics and coaching, she was a dream,” said G-NG Nordic coach Jeff McEvoy. “She makes it easy, makes me look good when I don’t actually do anything.”
For the second year in a row, Woods is our choice as Maine Sunday Telegram girls’ Skier of the Year.
The daughter of Becky Woods, the longtime Bates College Nordic coach, Kaelyn grew up around Nordic skiing but didn’t limit herself to it. She’s also a four-year varsity soccer and softball player and an honor student.
As a freshman, she raced slalom and giant slalom in addition to Nordic and won the Class B skimeister competition.
“She’s pretty easy-going and self-contained,” McEvoy said. “It didn’t take much to motivate her. She knows what she’s doing. She’d tell me if she needed more kick, and that’s about it.”
Woods won the state classical crown by 25 seconds and freestyle by 45. Over the same course on the same day, neither Class A winner finished within a minute of Woods.
“I know Kaelyn will always do really well and it’s motivation to have her back there,” said Lily Johnston, a Freeport senior and Class B runner-up who started ahead of Woods in the freestyle race. “She’s a superstar.”
For a third straight year, Woods trained with the Maine Winter Sports Center, as did several other local high school skiers. At the state meet, Woods spent much of her postrace time exhorting them across the line.
“I made a lot of really, really close friends through the Nordic skiing community,” Woods said. “It’s just fun to cheer on your friends and see how they finish.”
Woods also qualified for Junior Olympics last winter, but the altitude in Truckee, California, proved problematic. Earlier this month in Wisconsin, she placed fourth in her 5-kilometer classical age-group race, 10th in her 10K skate race and third in a relay.
At Easterns, she placed fourth in a classical sprint and ninth in a 7.5K classical race after a 31st-place finish in the 5K freestyle race.
“The first day was kind of crazy,” she said. “I fell and broke a ski, so that was rough.”
After exploring other options, Woods decided to join her mom’s program in Lewiston.
“I definitely had other schools on my radar,” she said. “But when it came down to it, I realized Bates is a really good fit.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Fiona Ahearne, Maine Coast Waldorf senior: Successfully defended her Class C freestyle title and won classical as well to lead MCW to a sixth straight Nordic state crown. Also won the Sassi Memorial classical race over a field of 156. Will continue her career at Bowdoin.
Lucy Alexander, Yarmouth senior: Placed third in freestyle and fourth in classical to help Yarmouth win an eighth straight Nordic state crown. Also placed third at the Sassi Memorial. Plans to continue her skiing career at Williams.
Shelby Cowin, Greenville sophomore: Won the Class B giant slalom by five seconds, and in a faster combined time than any of the boys who covered the same course. Also placed third in the Eastern High School Championships slalom, the only Mainer in any discipline among the top 15.
Gabby Farrell, Falmouth junior: Overcame early season illness to win the Class A Nordic freestyle. Also was third in classic to help Falmouth finish second to Mt. Blue in the team competition. Competed in the Eastern championships.
Alisha Guimond, Fort Kent sophomore: Put down the two fastest runs on an icy course at Black Mountain to win the Class B slalom championship. Also placed sixth in giant slalom to help Fort Kent win the Alpine state title. Represented Maine at the Eastern championships.
Lily Johnston, Freeport senior: Runner-up in both Class B freestyle and classical races, in faster times than those of the Class A champions. Also the runner-up at the Sassi Memorial; she plans to continue her career at Bowdoin.
Brooke Lever, Edward Little senior: Won the Class A slalom title and placed second in giant slalom to help the Red Eddies finish third overall in Alpine competition. Also won the KVAC slalom title and placed third in giant slalom.
Krysia Lesniak, Falmouth senior: Placed third in giant slalom and fourth in slalom to help Falmouth win the Class A Alpine title. She was the Western Maine Conference slalom champion and the second overall qualifier from Maine for the Eastern championships.
Lena Martin, Brunswick senior: Won the Class A classical race by 24 seconds and placed third in freestyle. Represented Maine at the Eastern championships.
Alex Shapiro, Falmouth senior: Won giant slalom and placed fifth in slalom to lead Falmouth to a second straight Class A Alpine state title. She was the fourth Maine qualifier for the Eastern championships.
Kaelyn Woods, Gray-New Gloucester senior: Three-time Class B Nordic state champion in both freestyle and classical, she competed in the Junior Olympics in Wisconsin and the Eastern championships.
Keaton McEvoy, Gray-New Gloucester senior: Excelled in all four disciplines in Class B, finishing sixth in slalom, eighth in giant slalom and 14th in both classic and freestyle. McEvoy was an Eastern championships Alpine competitor.
Coach of the Year
Greg Voisine, Fort Kent, Alpine: In his 25th year, Voisine led a Fort Kent sweep of the Class B Alpine titles at icy Black Mountain in Rumford. Fort Kent had won two of the previous three Class C girls’ Alpine titles and five of the previous seven for boys, but this marked the school’s first Class B crowns. The girls beat Maranacook by 33 points and the boys beat Mountain Valley by 61.
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Girls’ swimming: Caitlin Tycz, Brunswick
She took to swimming early and kept improving for a state record in the 100 butterly this season.Caitlin Tycz of Brunswick won the 200-yard individual medley at the Class A girls’ state meet in Orono by seven seconds, and her state-record time in the 100 butterfly was faster than the winning time in the 100 freestyle.On land, Caitlin Tycz admits, she can be a bit clumsy. But, oh, how she loves the water.
“And it’s always kind of loved me,” she said. “I know it sounds crazy, but when I get in the water, everything works out for me. Somehow, my arms and legs do the right thing.”
A junior at Brunswick High, Tycz set a state record of 53.32 seconds in winning the Class A 100-yard butterfly – lopping a full second off the record and beating the winning 100 freestyle time by half a second. She also won the 200 individual medley in 2:06.23. Her winning margin in each race was seven seconds.
Tycz also anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay and meet-record-setting 400 free relay to help Brunswick repeat as Class A champion. In addition to her times in the butterfly and 200 IM, she also swam the state’s fastest time in the 200 free (1:52.36 at the KVAC meet).
Her times were second in Maine in the 100 free and 100 backstroke and third in the 50 and 500 free.
Tycz is our choice as Maine Sunday Telegram girls’ Swimmer of the Year.
“She’s been a good swimmer for a long time,” said Brunswick Coach David Bright. “Sometimes kids like that who are very good when they’re young plateau and stop developing, but she seems to be able to keep turning it up a notch.”
Tycz took up the sport at age 7 and dabbled briefly in soccer, gymnastics and ballet.
“I couldn’t bear to spend another day out of the water,” she said. “By third grade it was all swimming, all the time.”
An added benefit of swimming for Brunswick High is the presence of Nate Samson, the two-time Telegram Boys’ Swimmer of the Year. They share a personal trainer and push each other in practice.
“I’m always trying to keep up,” Tycz said, “and he’s always trying to make sure I don’t.”
For the third straight year, Tycz earned All-America status (top 100 times nationally) in the 100 butterfly. At a national meet in Indianapolis last summer, Tycz won the 50-meter fly and tied for second in the 100 fly.
The qualifying standard for the Olympic trials 100-meter fly is 1:01.19. Tycz, who also competes for Long Reach Swim Club out of the Bath YMCA, swam 1:01.35 in a January meet in New Jersey.
She’ll have another chance at qualifying early next month at the YMCA Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina. If successful, she will compete in the Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska, in June.
Ranked among the top 10 in her class, Tycz sports a 4.0 GPA and is considering studying genetics or rocket science in college. She plans to visit Yale, Princeton and the University of Virginia this spring.
“The whole recruiting process is crazy,” she said. “I have a lot of decisions to make, but I’m excited to see where I’ll go.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Lydia DaCorte, Mt. Desert Island junior: Set a Class B meet record of 5:05.68 in winning the 500-yard freestyle for a third straight year. She also successfully defended her title in the 100 butterfly with the second-fastest time in the state (57.55).
Elaine Dudley, Massabesic senior: Won her second straight Class A 200 freestyle title, in 1:56.49. Also won the 100 freestyle in 53.80 and swam on two relays to help the Mustangs place sixth. Holds the South Southwesterns 200 freestyle record of 1:56:30.
Charlotte Janelle, Falmouth senior: A four-time state champion diver who scored 417.40 points in the Class A meet – more than 100 beyond her closest competitor – to break a record that had stood since 1989. Plans to continue career at Bates.
Sonia Lin, North Yarmouth Academy senior: Established a Class B meet record in the 100 breast stroke of 1:06.15, lowering by half a second the mark she set as a freshman. Also placed second in the 50 free. As the only NYA swimmer, she trained with Greely.
Abby Longstaff, Cheverus junior: Won the 100 backstroke in 57.88 and 50 free in 24.40 to help Cheverus place third in the Class A state meet. Also led off the winning 200 medley relay and anchored the fourth-place 400 free relay.
Marshall Lowery, Kennebunk senior: Won the Class A 200 individual medley in 2:09.42 (after winning the same race in Class B last year), edging two-time defending champ Ana Neff-Jendrasko of McAuley. Lowery also won the 100 backstroke in 56.91, fastest in the state.
Lynsie Russell, Brunswick senior: Won the Class A 500 freestyle for the second straight year, in 5:17.74, and placed second in the 200 free. Also swam on the winning 200 free relay and state record-setting 400 free relay as the Dragons won Class A for a second straight year.
Olivia Tighe, Cape Elizabeth freshman: Won the Class B 200 freestyle in 1:55.48 and placed second in the 500 free. Also swam the butterfly leg on the winning 200 medley relay and led off the winning 400 free relay to help the Capers finish within seven points of state champion Greely.
Ann Tolan, Morse junior: Named Performer of the Meet in Class B after winning her second straight 50 freestyle title (in a state-record time of 23.39) and her first 100 freestyle title (in 51.49, fastest in the state by more than a second). Her best 200 and 500 free times were second in the state.
Caitlin Tycz, Brunswick junior: Named Performer of the Meet in Class A after setting a state record of 53.32 in the 100 butterfly, winning the 200 individual medley in 2:06.23 (she won each race by seven seconds) and anchoring both the winning 200 free relay and state record-setting 400 free relay.
Coach of the Year
Rob Hale, Greely: After finishing second to Cape Elizabeth by five points in the North Southwesterns, the Greely girls came out on top at the Class B state meet, beating Cape by seven points for the Rangers’ second straight title and fourth in seven years. In a testament to team depth, Greely’s only state meet victory in its last two titles came in this year’s 200 freestyle relay.
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Boys’ swimming: Nate Samson, Brunswick
In his wake, the versatile senior left a string of broken records.Kevin Bennett/Special to the Telegram Nate Samson, a senior at Brunswick, is the Maine Sunday Telegram Boys’ Swimmer of the Year for the second year in a row after a season in which he was among Maine’s top swimmers in every event.Entering his final season of high school swimming, Brunswick senior Nate Samson rid himself of college pressure by accepting a scholarship offer from Florida State. The decision took a weight off his mind but did nothing to relax his standards in the pool.
“It seemed like every meet there was something that was either a school record or a state ranking or something,” said Brunswick Coach David Bright. “He’s someone who’s great at setting ambitious goals for himself and working toward them.”
Even if it meant battling flu-like symptoms this winter at the Class A state meet.
“I was violently sick at states,” Samson said. “I was sweating and shaking, wearing as many layers as I could. I didn’t have quite the meet I wanted. But that last race… .”
Not quite the meet he wanted meant tying the meet record of 21.41 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, winning the 100 butterfly by two seconds in 51.04, leading off the 200-free relay that finished second … and, yes, that last swim.
In his final high school race, Samson opened the 400 freestyle relay with a 46.24 split to reclaim the state record in the 100 free from Ellsworth senior Talor Hamilton, who set it nine days earlier.
“It was a good swim,” Samson said.
For the second year in a row, Samson is our choice as Maine Sunday Telegram boys’ Swimmer of the Year.
Nearly five seconds separated Samson’s 200 individual medley time of 1:52.03 and everyone else in the state. It came at the KVAC championships (won by Brunswick for a fifth straight year) and lopped a second off the state record set by Scarborough’s Jerry Gravel in 2013.
Samson also posted the state’s fastest times this winter in the 50 and 100 free, the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. He was second in the 100 breast, third in the 200 free and fifth in the 500 free.
He owns every Brunswick individual record except the 500 free – “I swam it six times over the last two years and missed the record by less than a second each time” – and contributed to all three relay marks, including a state record 200 medley time of 1:38.18 set in 2015.
A member of the Long Reach Swim Club at the Bath Area YMCA, Samson also gave credit to a personal trainer, Ida Messerman from Maine Pines, who has worked with him since his sophomore year.
Despite all his records, his favorite memory of his senior year came in his last dual meet, against Cony, which held a huge lead through two legs of the 400 free relay.
“My brother (Andrew, a sophomore) was third and I was fourth,” Samson said. “We came from ridiculously far behind to win the relay. That was cool.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Kyle Adams, Bangor senior: Won his second straight Class A diving title with 449.5 points, 98 more than anyone else. During the season, he turned in the state’s highest scores for both six dives (333.60) and 11 dives (540.60).
Sam Alvarado, Ellsworth junior: Won the Class B 500 freestyle in 4:53.88, placed second in the 200 free and led off the meet record-tying 400 free relay (3:17.13) to help the Eagles win their first state championship, by a large margin over runner-up Cape Elizabeth.
Kyle Crans, Camden Hills senior: Won the Class B 200 freestyle in 1:47.88, placed second in the 100 free, anchored the winning 200 free relay and led off the third-place 400 free relay. Holds four individual and two relay school records. Plans to continue swimming career at Bates.
Talor Hamilton, Ellsworth senior: A two-time Performer of the Meet in Class B who set meet records in the 50 free (21.19), 100 free (46.42) and 400 free relay (3:17.13) and led off the state record-setting 200 medley relay (1:38.02) to help the Eagles capture their first swimming state title.
Cooper Holmes, Ellsworth senior: Won the Class B 100 backstroke by three seconds in 52.51 and placed second in the 200 individual medley. Also swam on the meet record-setting 400 free relay (3:17.13) and state record-setting 200 medley relay (1:38.02).
Shane Moore, Cheverus junior: Won the Class A 100 freestyle in 47.19, placed third in the 50 free and anchored the meet record-setting 200 free relay (1:28.21) to help the Stags win a fourth straight state title. Also anchored the 200 medley relay that finished third.
Michael O’Donovan, Cheverus senior: Won the Class A 200 freestyle by five seconds in 1:43.50 and the 500 free by nearly seven seconds in 4:41.42 to lead Cheverus to a fourth consecutive title. Also swam on the winning 200 and 400 free relays. Will continue his career at Marist.
Colby Prouty, Bangor sophomore: Won the Class A 200 individual medley in 1:56.90 and set a state record of 57.31 in the 100 breast stroke. Also swam on the winning 200 medley relay and anchored the 400 free relay that placed third, helping the Rams finish third in the team standings behind Cheverus and Brunswick.
Nate Samson, Brunswick senior: Posted the fastest times in the state in five individual events and ranked among the top five in the other three. In the Class A state meet, he won the 50 free in 21.41 (tied meet record), the 100 butterfly in 51.04 and set the 100 free state record of 46.24 on the opening leg of the 400 free relay.
Liam Sullivan, Mt. Desert Island freshman: Doubled up at the Class B state meet by winning the 200 individual medley in 1:57.08 and the 100 breast stroke in 58.77. Also swam on the 200 medley and 400 free relays that finished second to record-setting Ellsworth quartets, leading MDI to third overall.
Coach of the Year
Jim Goodman, Ellsworth: In his 13th season at the helm, the retired Naval commander guided the Eagles from a fourth-place finish a year ago to their first Class B state title, by a 90.5-point margin over defending champion Cape Elizabeth. Other firsts this season including beating Bangor in a dual meet and winning the Penobscot Valley Championship meet. “We’ve always had the talent, but never had the depth until this year,” Goodman said.
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Wrestling: Peter Del Gallo, Gardiner
The 2016 Wrestler of the Year won his second New England title in an unbeaten senior season.Peter Del Gallo, right, lost only one match against a Maine opponent during his high school career and is one of 20 Mainers to win four state championships.Peter Del Gallo’s first goal in his senior wrestling season at Gardiner High was to cement his legacy within the family ranks.
Then it was to make his mark in a broader context.
The youngest of five Del Gallo boys succeeded on both counts. He won his fourth state championship with the Class A 120-pound title to join one of his brothers, Matthew (2007-10), in Maine’s 20-member, four-time champion club.
With his 52-0 season and a second New England championship, he now joins two brothers – Matt (2010), and three-time state champ Daniel (2013) – as the Maine Sunday Telegram Wrestler of the Year.
“My first big goal was to win states and to be a four-time champ, like Matthew,” Peter Del Gallo said. “And I think the other goal was to wrestle good and to dominate and to show that I’m the best in the 120-pound class.
“I think I pretty much accomplished that.”
Del Gallo beat Noble junior Austin Shorey four times. All were close matches. Shorey went on to place third at New Englands.
“I definitely think wrestling Shorey a lot helped. He makes me have to grind through a match,” Del Gallo said.
At the New England championships, Del Gallo allowed a total of two points in his four wins. He beat Connecticut champ Alec Opsal 4-0 in the semifinal and New Hampshire champion Connor McGonagle 7-2 in the final.
Del Gallo, Earl Boyes of Massabesic (1973-75) and Decota Cotten of Noble (2003-04) are the only Mainers to win more than one New England title. Del Gallo’s first came as a 106-pound freshman.
“And only one other wrestler from Maine, as far as I know, has placed all four years at New Englands,” said Gardiner Coach Matt Hanley, referencing Marshwood’s Cody Hughes, the 2014 and 2015 Wrestler of the Year. “So Peter is in some pretty elite company, and he’s the only freshman from Maine to ever win (New Englands).”
Were it not for an elbow injury that robbed him of most of his junior season, it’s quite likely Del Gallo would have challenged Hughes’ state record of 212 career wins. He finished with a 185-5 record. Four of the losses came at New Englands. The other was in the third overtime of the 2015 New England qualifier against Marshwood’s Bradley Beaulieu. All five losses were by one point.
Del Gallo plans to join his brother, Daniel, on the University of Southern Maine team.
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Cody Craig, Skowhegan junior, 106: Craig was unbeaten in Maine for the third straight season, winning Class A and the New England qualifier and finishing second at the New England championship in 60-1 season. He is 161-5 in career.
Griffyn Smith, Dirigo senior, 113: A four-time state champion, he added a Class B title to three Class C crowns. Also won the New England qualifier in a 46-3 season and finished 193-25 in his career.
Peter Del Gallo, Gardiner senior, 120: Del Gallo won his fourth state title, his first in Class A. He capped a 52-0 season by becoming just third Maine wrestler to win more than one New England championship.
Austin Shorey, Noble junior, 120: Shorey was 54-6, with four close decision losses to Peter Del Gallo. Considered one of the top five or six wrestlers in the state, he placed third in New England. With 164 career wins, he could break the state record of 212.
Caleb Austin, Mountain Valley junior, 126: A compact, physical athlete with good quickness, Austin won the Class B title and the New England qualifier. He finished 56-5 but did not lose to a Maine wrestler at 126. His career mark is 156-8.
Bradley Beaulieu, Marshwood junior, 132: Won his third straight Class A title and was third at the New England championships in a 48-1 season. Also won the New England qualifier and Noble and Spartan invitationals, and is 160-15 in his career.
Peyton Cole, Ellsworth sophomore, 138: Cole won his second straight Class B title and finished first in the New England qualifier. Was 39-5 overall, including a 3-2 record at New Englands, with three losses to Zac Caron at 145 pounds.
Zac Caron, Foxcroft Academy senior, 145: In his first season with the Ponies, Caron won the Noble and Spartan invitationals before a Class B title. He also won the New England qualifier and went 3-2 at New Englands to finish 56-3 overall.
Julian Sirois, Skowhegan senior, 152: Won his first Class A title and placed first at the New England qualifier. Topped 200 career wins and finished the season 58-2, his only losses coming at the New England championships.
Trent Goodman, Ellsworth junior, 160: The Class B champion edged Skowhegan senior Kam Doucette in overtime of the New England qualifier championship match. Goodman was 40-2 this season.
Robert Hetherman, Mt. Ararat junior, 170: Earned the outstanding wrestler honor while winning his first Class A title. Added a fourth-place finish at the New England championships to cap a 55-3 season.
Justin Stacy, Marshwood senior, 182: Moved up from 152 pounds and did not lose to a Maine wrestler, going 45-3 overall. Joined All-Telegram picks Beaulieu, Caron and Pendriss as the only Mainers to win at the Spartan Invitational.
Christopher Wilson, Nokomis junior, 195: Rolled to the Class A title and won the Outstanding Wrestler award at the New England qualifier. Also was the Noble Invitational champ. Finished 49-1 overall after third-place finish at New Englands. Intends to graduate early this spring and join the Coast Guard.
Michael Pendriss, Foxcroft Academy senior, 220: Won the Class B title and the New England qualifier after winning at both the Noble and Spartan tournaments. Finished sixth at New Englands to cap a 51-4 season.
Hunter Glidden, Nokomis senior, 285: The Class A and New England qualifier champion in his first season as varsity starter, Glidden went 45-2 in state and 45-4 overall.
Coaches of the Year
Tenney Noyes and Brooks Thompson, Skowhegan: Noyes and Thompson have steadily built a powerful program that has won four straight regional titles, and the Indians became the first East/North team to win the Class A state title since Oxford Hills in 1989.
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