2008-09 Winter Male Athlete of the Year:
HENRY STERLING, Senior-Track
* WMC All-Conference, second team, 800
* WMC All-Conference, second team, mile
* WMC All-Conference, second team, two-mile
* Team Co-MVP

Everything went according to plan this winter for Henry Sterling.

Literally.

Sterling and coach Chris Mazzurco worked on an outline of what it would take for Sterling to win the Class B state title in the mile and two-mile. Lo and behold, Sterling did just that.

Making his accomplishment even more impressive is that the titles came in his first year of indoor track.

For having such a stellar, breakthrough rookie season, for shining on the brightest stage and for doing whatever it takes to improve, Henry Sterling is The Forecaster’s choice for North Yarmouth Academy’s 2008-09 Winter Male Athlete of the Year.

Sterling also won in the fall for his contributions to the soccer team.

Sterling lives in South Freeport and has been part of the NYA family since sixth grade. He ran distance events in outdoor track his first two high school seasons, while also playing soccer and basketball.

This winter, however, Sterling wanted to get even more serious about running and took his act indoors. He began the year with a victory in the two-mile and never looked back. He also was a force in the 800 and mile and set new school records in all three events.

At the Western Maine Conference meet, Sterling came in second in the 800 and third in the two-mile, but he would have no equal at states, winning the mile with a time of 4 minutes, 31.21 seconds and the two-mile in 9:59.35. In both races, Sterling eschewed his usual front-runner status, trailed the pack most of the way, then turned it on with two laps to go.

Sterling qualified for New Englands and was ninth in the mile. He also took part at nationals and placed 31st in the mile.

Through it all, Sterling focused on getting faster, stronger and more consistent. His enthusiasm for running was obvious.

Sterling now turns his attention to outdoor track. His goal is to win a state title (he was part of a first place 1,600 relay team, came in second in the two-mile and third in the mile for the Panthers last spring, when they won a third straight Class C crown). He’s also thinking about trying the javelin.

Sterling, who volunteers at Yarmouth Elementary School, wants to run in college. He wants to go out of state and is thinking about Education or English as a potential major.

The next level promises to bring him more glory, but first, Henry Sterling, NYA’s 2008-09 Winter Male Athlete of the Year, has plenty of triumph awaiting him in a Panthers uniform.

Coach Chris Mazzurco’s comment: “Henry was a great influx of talent and energy this year. He is a coachable athlete who knows how to push up to, and often beyond his proven limits. He cares about the success of the team. Individually, he scored half our team’s points at states. His efforts at races and practice are motivational to watch.”

2007-08 winner: Ian Nichols (Swimming)
2006-07 winner: Chris Engel (Swimming)
2005-06 winner: Rob Carpenter (Indoor track)
2004-05 winner: Tim DeLuca (Basketball)
2003-04 winner: Dan Bartlett (Hockey)
2002-03 winner: Steve Lawrence (Hockey)
2001-02 winner: Matt Smith (Hockey)

2008-09 Winter Female Athlete of the Year:
COURTNEY DUMONT, Junior-Hockey
* All Prep League
* Team’s leading scorer

All the heartstopping goals Courtney Dumont has scored on the soccer and lacrosse field during her time at North Yarmouth Academy pale in comparison to what she can do on the ice.

One of the finest female players in recent memory, Dumont filled the net with regularity this winter and has some big-time colleges tracking her every move.

Dumont’s prolific abilities led the Panthers to a first-ever playoff berth in the Division II New England Prep League. She led her team in scoring and features a flair for the dramatic like no other.

In that light, The Forecaster is happy to name, for the second year in a row, Courtney Dumont as NYA’s 2008-09 Winter Female Athlete of the Year.

Dumont started playing hockey at the age of five. As a freshman at NYA, she led the girls’ soccer team to a championship. As a sophomore, her overtime goals led the Panthers soccer team to victories in regional and state finals. Last spring, she had a record seven goals in the Class B girls’ lacrosse state final, but NYA fell to Waynflete, 12-8.

After scoring 32 goals and adding 16 assists her sophomore year on the ice, she exploded this season, tickling the twine on 47 occasions, while adding eight assists for 55 points in just 26 games. NYA was one-and-done in the postseason, but set the stage for greater glory down the road.

Dumont and her lacrosse teammates hope to finish the job this spring. She’ll focus on hockey over the summer and is in the process of selecting a college. She wants to play Division I, but might play at the D3 level so she play another sport as well.

According to coach Mike Hale, the likes of Boston University, Dartmouth College, Providence College and the University of New Hampshire have expressed interest.

It’s easy to see why. This is one star that continues to ascend. Courtney Dumont, NYA’s 2008-09 Winter Female Athlete of the Year, is always in the middle of the action and is close to unstoppable on the ice.

Coach Mike Hale’s Comment: “Courtney has a nose for the net. She’s incredible. She seems to have all-out energy the whole time she’s out there. Her only problem is finding people to keep up with her. Everyone knows who she is, but they can’t stop her. She has speed and the heart of a lion. I think she can take the next step.”

2007-08 winner: Courtney Dumont (Hockey)
2006-07 winner: Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)
2005-06 winner: Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)
2004-05 winner: Kathryn Engel (Swimming)
2003-04 winner: Teddy Fortin (Hockey)
2002-03 winner: Bobbi Dennison (Basketball)
2001-02 winner: Ashley Spicer (Basketball)

Henry Sterling
Courtney Dumont