For the second year in row, the Varsity Maine Awards brought together more than 400 people from across the state to celebrate the best of high school sports.

The high-energy show, hosted this year by TV personality Erin Ovalle and Hot 104.7’s DJ Mijo, is a collaborative effort among the Portland Press Herald, the Kennebec Journal in Augusta and the Morning Sentinel of Waterville. It was held at the Costello complex at the University of Southern Maine.

“This event is so cool. I’m so happy my teammates got to come this year because it’s such a cool and different experience,” said York High’s Lily Posternak, the Female Athlete of the Year.

Each of the 12 award winners received a specially made Winterstick snowboard printed with their name and award.

The athletes of the year are chosen by the newspapers’ sports staffs. In the other 10 award categories, a panel of judges picked the winners from five finalists chosen through reader nominations. More than 300 nominations were submitted this year.

“We’re really proud of this event because we make it all about the kids, not just the winners but the finalists, too,” said Lisa DeSisto, CEO of MaineToday Media, which owns the newspapers. “We wanted to recognize the Clutch Players, the Unsung Heroes and also the communities that support them.”

The show is truly a statewide event. The range of finalists stretched from Fryeburg to Vinalhaven, and from York to Rangeley.

“It’s wonderful to see this sort of event to give credit to the athletes in Maine,” said Gorham High soccer standout Jackson Fotter, winner of the Clutch Player award.


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