On June 22, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram will honor the state’s best high school athletes at our annual banquet. A player of the year for each sport will be honored and we’ll name our male and female Athletes of the Year. What makes this year so special is that it’s the 25th year of honoring Maine’s best, so we will be catching up with all our Athletes of the Year since the first banquet in 1988. Today, we honor the winners from: 1998

KATE TOYE BLAKE, Scarborough 

IN HIGH SCHOOL: Won 24 state championships and set six Class B state records in indoor and outdoor track.

SINCE HIGH SCHOOL: Competed in the sprints for four years at the University of Massachusetts, where she earned a degree in journalism. Has worked in travel, finance and publishing industries. Resides in Cape Elizabeth and competes in road races.

WHAT IT MEANT TO WIN: “It was a goal I set for myself my senior year. To me, it was the ultimate achievement for a high school athlete in Maine, and it meant a lot to me. It recognized all the hard work I put in.”

TOM WATERMAN, Bangor

IN HIGH SCHOOL: A finalist for the Fitzpatrick Trophy in football and the Mr. Basketball Award, Waterman also starred as a shortstop in baseball. He played on two Class A state championship basketball teams and three Class A state championship baseball teams.

SINCE HIGH SCHOOL: Played two seasons for the basketball team at the University of Maine and two seasons at Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire. Works as an accountant for Wight’s Sporting Goods in Hampden.

WHAT IT MEANT TO WIN: “After being nominated for the Fitzy, Mr. Basketball and Mr. Baseball awards and not winning those, it meant a lot to me to be recognized for what I accomplished.”