Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

March 11

Newspaper honors state's top athletesThis is a 6-42-1 dummy headlyne yyyyyyy

By PAUL BETIT Staff Writer

— By PAUL BETIT

Staff Writer

PORTLAND — Nate Doehler of Bonny Eagle and Stephanie Whitten of Waterville were at the tops of their games this year, and on Sunday were recognized as the best in the state.

Doehler, a quarterback, led the Scots to back-to-back Class A state championships. Whitten helped the Panthers win state titles in three different sports during her senior year. Both were named the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram athletes of the year in ceremonies held at the Italian Heritage Center.

A panel of sports writers and editors, along with coaches and athletic administrators, chose the pair to receive the awards, presented annually since 1988.

''I think it's incredible,'' Whitten said. ''There were so many really talented athletes, and I was really quite surprised.''

Doehler and Whitten were among a group of 28 high school athletes honored as the most valuable players in their particular sports.

''I really didn't think I would win it,'' Doehler said. ''There were just a lot of talented athletes who had accomplished so much.''

Last fall, Doehler, the MVP for football, passed for 19 touchdowns, ran for 17 more and had a total of 2,766 yards running and passing. He also started at safety on defense, returned punts and did all the kicking for the Scots.

In January, Doehler received the Fitzpatrick Trophy, awarded annually to the top senior football player in Maine. He also started at guard in basketball and competed in track and field.

''Nate is very deserving of this award,'' said Kevin Cooper, football coach for Bonny Eagle. ''It's getting rare to have athletes who can be so good in three sports.''

In the fall, Doehler will go to the University of Maine to play football.

Last fall, Whitten, the MVP for girls' soccer, scored 25 goals and had 30 assists to lead the Purple Panthers to their first soccer state championship in 25 years.

While starting at point guard last winter, Whitten helped Waterville capture its third straight Class B basketball state championship and extend its winning streak to 66 games.

In the spring, Whitten competed in the pole vault and other events for a girls' track and field squad that won the Class B state championship.

''It was an incredible year for girls' sports in Waterville,'' she said.

Next fall, Whitten will attend Sacred Heart University, a Division II school in Fairfield, Conn., where she intends to play soccer.

Before the awards were presented Sunday, Wil Smith, basketball coach at McAuley High School and co-director of the Seeds of Peace summer camp in Otisfield, spoke to the honorees. In his remarks, he reminded them of their responsibility to share the talents and their gifts with their community and the world.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com