It’s almost Showtime. More than 400 people are expected Tuesday evening for the 2017 Varsity Maine Awards, honoring the best in high school sports from across the state.
The awards show, hosted by the Maine Sunday Telegram, will be held at the Costello Sports Complex on the University of Southern Maine campus in Gorham.
This will be the second edition of the Varsity Maine Awards. Erin Ovalle and DJ Mijo will serve as hosts for the show, which starts at 7 p.m. Finalists will head down the red carpet starting at 6 p.m.
“Last year’s show was one of the most amazing events I’ve been involved with during my newspaper career. The gym was filled with energy,” said Don Coulter, sports editor of the Portland Press Herald. “We appreciate the passion readers have for our high school sports coverage, and that enthusiasm is on full display at the Varsity Maine Awards.”
The show is close to being sold out, but tickets are still available at pressherald.com/2017/04/19/2017-varsity-maine-awards/.
“The Varsity Maine Awards is a unique event that captivates everything that is true with high school sports,” said Bill Stewart, sports editor of the Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinel in central Maine. “The work and commitment these young men and women put in is nothing short of inspiring, and it will be an honor to recognize some of them Tuesday.”
Award winners will be announced in 12 categories, including Male and Female Athlete of the Year. Here are the finalists in each category:
THE ACADEMIC ACE
Madeline Beaulieu, Maine Girls’ Academy; Kate Guerin, Mt. Ararat; Matt Ingram, Winthrop; Hayden Sattler, Ellsworth; Ben Steeves, Bonny Eagle.
THE BETTER NEIGHBOR
Sam Alvarado, Ellsworth; Nick Archambault, Portland; Alexandria Fraize, Fryeburg Academy; Emily Jefferds, Scarborough; Anna Lane, Massabesic.
THE CLUTCH PLAYER
Kayley Cimino, Greely; Cody Craig, Skowhegan; Jackson Fotter, Gorham; Abby Hamilton, Yarmouth; Tasia Titherington, Deering.
THE COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve DeAngelis, Maranacook; Heidi Deery, Rangeley; Kathy Leahy, Thornton Academy; Sandy Nelson, Vinalhaven; Chad Sturgis, A.R. Gould.
THE FAB FRESHMAN
Emma Gallant, Cheverus; Raegan Kelly, Noble; Simon McCormick, Cony; Maggie Strohm, Old Orchard Beach.
THE LOUDEST AND PROUDEST
Karen and Danny Baron, Ellsworth; Rick and Jackie Buzzell, Fryeburg Academy; Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach/Bonny Eagle hockey fans.
THE ROLE MODEL
Kiara Carr, Temple; Ellie Chidsey, Waynflete; Ellie Clarke, Ellsworth; Grace Decker, Thornton Academy; Austin Dutremble, Biddeford.
THE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Gorham girls’ basketball; Thornton Academy boys’ tennis; St. Dominic girls’ hockey; Vinalhaven girls’ basketball; York field hockey.
THE UNSUNG HERO
Kaylin Delaney, Fryeburg Academy; Lydia Henderson, South Portland; Bruce Hunter, Maranacook; Michelle Rowe, Gorham; Haley Thebarge, Skowhegan.
THE WOW FACTOR
Gilleyanne Davis-Oakes, Vinalhaven; Victoria Garand, Deering; Logan Reardon, Central; Ruslan Reiter, Maranacook; Parker Wyatt, Falmouth.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Emily Esposito, Gorham; Abby Hamilton, Yarmouth; Lily Posternak, York; Ally Turner, Messalonskee; Caitlin Tycz, Brunswick.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Bradley Beaulieu, Marshwood; Austin Lufkin, Brewer; Jarod Norcross Plourde, Edward Little; Sam Rusak, Scarborough; Ryan Twitchell, Greely.
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