Male:

WILL NELLIGAN, Senior-Lacrosse

  • WMC all-star, honorable mention

  • WMC All-Academic team

  • Senior All-Star

  • US Lacrosse All-Academic team

Nelligan was the consummate student-athlete, playing terrific lacrosse in leading the Flyers to a strong season, while also excelling in the classroom.

Nelligan started playing lacrosse in middle school and played four years of varsity lacrosse in high school, along with four years of varsity basketball (he was a key member of two state final teams in the winter).

“Basketball was always my first love and probably my best sport, but lacrosse has probably become my best sport over the last two seasons as I continued to develop my game,” Nelligan said. 

This spring, Nelligan scored 44 goals and had 26 assists. Highlights included four goals (including the winner) in a thrilling one-goal victory over York, three goals in a win over Fryeburg Academy, six goals and five assists in a victory over Lake Region, seven goals in a win over Freeport, four goals in a victory over NYA and two more in a second win over Freeport.

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In a quarterfinal round win over Fryeburg Academy, Nelligan had five goals and he bowed out with two more in a semifinal round loss to Cape Elizabeth.

“I think our team’s commitment made us successful this year,” Nelligan said. “We were a very small team and we knew going in that the only way to have a successful season was to show up every day ready to practice with intensity and get better. I think our commitment to the team, driven especially by our core group of seniors, allowed us to be successful.”

Nelligan said he learned plenty from his coaches in high school.

“I credit my success to my work ethic and commitment, as well as all of the great coaches and role models I’ve been fortunate enough to have,” Nelligan said. “I quickly learned freshman year what it took to play at an elite level just from watching the great athletes who were at Waynflete before me and taking in all of the information being thrown at me by the coaches.

“I have a very competitive nature and I hate losing, similar to many of my teammates. I like to do everything to the best of my ability and I practice to get better and give my team the best possible chance to win.”

Nelligan also is an avid fisherman and took part in Project Story Boost, reading to younger students at Reiche School. He plans to attend Bates College in the fall.

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He had a special senior season and was a big contributor to a successful team. Will Nelligan, Waynflete’s Spring Male Athlete of the Year, won’t soon be forgotten.

Coach Dan Thomsen’s comment: “Will didn’t miss a single practice all season. He’s one of the most committed guys on the team and he deserved more recognition than he received this year.”

Previous winners:

2015 Isaac Salas (tennis)

2014 Isaac Salas (tennis)

2013 Andrew Butler (baseball)

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2012 Chris Burke (lacrosse)

2011 Charlie Laprade (baseball)

2010 Brandon Thompson (tennis)

2009 Brandon Thompson (tennis)

2008 Brandon Thompson (tennis)

2007 David Cutler (lacrosse)

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2006 Ben Whipple (tennis)

2005 Reid McMullan (lacrosse)

2004 Matt Lacasse (track)

Female:

NINA MOORE, Senior-Lacrosse

  • WMC all-star, first team

  • WMC All-Academic team

Moore helped the Flyers navigate a challenging season and get better as the spring progressed.

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Moore grew up in Freeport and started playing lacrosse in the fourth grade. It immediately became her favorite sport.

“Having held a stick in my hands since I was just a little girl makes it feel almost second nature to me now,” Moore said. “I’ve played every spring since then and even some winters on travel teams.”

As a freshman and sophomore, Moore played soccer, lacrosse and Nordic skied at Freeport High School, then she transferred to Waynflete, where she played soccer and lacrosse as a junior. This school year, Moore focused solely on lacrosse and she had a banner senior season, scoring 27 goals and adding 16 assists. 

Highlights included three goals in a crossover win over Scarborough, two goals in a victory over her old team, Freeport, three goals in a win over Wells, two in a victory over York and five goals in a regular season-ending loss to Lake Region.

In the quarterfinals, the Flyers avenged that loss, winning at Lake Region, as Moore scored three times. She scored one final goal in a semifinal round loss at eventual state champion Kennebunk.

“With such a smart, competitive and fun group of girls to play with and such a kind and brilliant coach, I looked forward to ever single practice and game,” Moore said. “The team was my family and knowing that encouraged me to do everything I could to make us successful. I love the sport so much and truly had fun during every game and practice. That’s what kept me playing all these years.”

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Moore also led Waynflete’s Outing Club and the Environmental Action Group and was a mentor of younger students. She and classmates Willy Burdick and Christian Rowe co-organized a Mental Health Awareness Play Day. Moore plays the piano, enjoys rock climbing and hiking and is spending the summer working in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. She’ll travel even further west to attend Whitman College in Washington state, where she plans to play lacrosse.

This well-rounded young lady made her mark on and off the field. Nina Moore, Waynflete’s Spring Female Athlete of the Year, was a key contributor in countless ways.

Coach Cathie Connors’ comment: “Nina was an asset to the team as an offensive, defensive and midfield player. She has a calm and steady presence about her that was truly valuable to the whole team this season. Nina was unselfish. She never cared about her own stats and always put the team first. She was a true leader. We’ll miss her next season.”

Previous winners:

2015 Helen Gray-Bauer (lacrosse)

2014 Emily White (tennis)

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2013 Sadie Cole (lacrosse)

2012 Martha Veroneau (lacrosse)

2011 Scout Haffenreffer (lacrosse)

2010 Morgan Woodhouse (lacrosse)

2009 Christine Ordway (tennis)

2008 Laura Armstrong (lacrosse)

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2007 Christine Ordway (tennis)

2006 Christine Ordway (tennis)

2005 Gretchen Koch (lacrosse)

2004 Lily Hoffman (lacrosse)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached atmhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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