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Meet Maine’s spring 2017 high school sports players of the year
The best athletes are recognized in baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis and track and field.
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Baseball player of the year: Jackson Coutts, Orono
The senior was an outstanding pitcher and hitter for the Class C champion Red Riots.Not only was Jackson Coutts an outstanding pitcher for Orono High, he was so dominant as a hitter that he was intentionally walked three times this season with the bases loaded.Ask Jackson Coutts what his favorite position is and all you’ll get is a laugh. “As long as I’m able to hit, I’ll like any position,” he said.
Coutts sure can hit. He batted .632 this season with 11 doubles and two home runs while leading Orono to the Class C baseball state championship. Some teams refused to pitch to him. He was walked 25 times, 20 of them intentional, including three with the bases loaded.
He was a pitcher (8-1, 2.72 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 411/2 innings), shortstop and catcher. And he led off Orono’s four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning with a first-pitch double as the Red Riots rallied to defeat Lisbon 4-3 in the Class C state championship game.
For all he did, Coutts was selected as the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year.
“He’s an intelligent baseball player,” said Orono Coach Don Joseph. “Also, in essence, he is the ultimate team player. ‘Whatever you need me to do, Coach’ – that is what we all heard from Jack. That attitude, that leadership, permeated the whole team. That’s why our team was Class C state champion.”
Joseph said Coutts would go out of his way to help any of his teammates.
“He’s a great human being who doesn’t take himself too seriously,” he said. “He will be greatly missed, his leadership and management style.”
Joseph believes that trait comes from Coutts’ parents: Mike, the University of Maine softball coach and a former UMaine baseball player, and Lynn, a senior associate director of athletics at UMaine, and former coach and star player for the Black Bears’ softball team.
Coutts, who will play at the University of Rhode Island, certainly appreciates his parents’ influence. “They’re very much into the game, so whenever I want to get some instruction from them or coaching, they’re always available to do it,” he said. “Whenever I want to practice baseball, they’re willing to do it.”
Coutts was also an outstanding football and basketball player. But baseball is his favorite sport.
“The game itself is fun,” he said. “It might take a while for some people to get into it, but what they don’t understand is the social part of the game. You’re with your teammates and you’re always doing something. You’re taking batting practice and you’re talking to your buddies, or you’re in the outfield shagging flies and you’re talking and making jokes … I’ve really enjoyed the social aspect of the game.”
He liked being on the field, too. He was the winning pitcher, with nine strikeouts, in the state final.
“I’m still a little shocked that it happened,” Coutts said. “But it meant a lot to a lot of people.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Robbie Armitage, Falmouth senior, shortstop: A slick fielder, he was tough at the plate as well, batting .406 with seven doubles, one triple, one home run, 16 RBI and 22 runs. He pitched in relief with a 1-1 record and one save, and struck out 22 in 111/3 innings. He will play at Marist College.
Evan Balzano, Thornton Academy senior, first base: Balzano led the SMAA with a .481 batting average, and also had eight doubles, one home run, 13 runs and 23 RBI – 10 with two outs. He struck out only once. He will play at the University of Maine.
Jared Brooks, Cheverus senior, pitcher/first base: The Player of the Year in the SMAA, Brooks batted .386 with three home runs, 14 RBI and 12 runs. As a pitcher he was 5-2 with a 1.14 ERA and 66 strikeouts. Opposing batters hit just .153 against him. He will next play at Stonehill College.
Jackson Coutts, Orono senior, utility/pitcher: Our Player of the Year and winner of the John Winkin Mr. Baseball Award, Coutts helped the Red Riots take the Class C state title. He hit .632 and was walked intentionally 20 times. He scored 15 runs and drove in 19. As a pitcher he was 8-1 with a 2.72 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 411/3 innings. He will play at the University of Rhode Island.
Cam Guarino, Falmouth senior, pitcher: The lefty was one of the state’s premier pitchers the last two years, helping the Yachtsmen to the Class A state championship game each year. This year he went 9-1 with a 1.33 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 68 innings, and walked only 10 batters. He will play at the University of New Haven.
Logan Drouin, Gorham senior, pitcher/utility: The SMAA pitcher of the year, Drouin went 10-0 with one save. He had a 0.74 ERA and struck out 54, walking only nine in 612/3 innings. At the plate he batted .302 with 11 RBI and 11 runs. He will play at Franklin Pierce.
Gibson Harnett, Yarmouth senior, pitcher/outfield: Harnett was a major factor in Yarmouth winning the Class B state championship. He was 7-1 with a 0.99 ERA and didn’t allow an earned run in 21 playoff innings, capped by his two-hit shutout of Old Town in the state final. He batted .357 with 10 RBI and 15 runs.
Nate Howard, Erskine Academy senior, pitcher/utility: The KVAC Class B player of the year, Howard helped the Eagles to the Class B North title game. He went 7-0 with one save and had a 0.89 ERA. He struck out 48 and walked only eight in 442/3 innings. At the plate, he batted .312. He will play at Massachusetts Maritime.
Peter Kemble, Bangor senior, pitcher/outfield: Kemble was part of three consecutive Class A state championships for the Rams. This year he went 7-2 with a stunning ERA of 0.13 and struck out 78, walking six in 53 innings. At the plate he hit over .380 with 15 RBI and was 14 of 14 in stolen bases. He will play at the University of Maine.
Jake Knop, Portland senior, shortstop: One of the best fielding shortstops in the state, Knop was a three-time all-defensive player in the Southwestern Maine Activities Association. This year he also batted .444 with seven doubles, three triples and one home run, with a team-high 25 RBI. He will play at Manhattan College.
Trevor LaBonte, York senior, pitcher/first base: A dominating pitcher, LaBonte led the Wildcats to the Class B South championship game. He was 8-0 with a 0.83 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 591/3 innings. He also batted .417 with five doubles, one home run, 17 runs and 11 RBI. He will attend Bridgton Academy.
Brendan Tinsman, Cape Elizabeth junior, catcher: Considered by many to be the best catcher in the state. He batted .491 with four home runs, five doubles, 11 RBI and 20 runs scored. He struck out only three times in 53 at-bats. He also stole 20 bases in 22 attempts. He has verbally committed to Wake Forest University.
Sam Troiano, South Portland senior, outfield/pitcher: A repeat All-State selection, Troiano was at the head of all the Riots’ success the last two years. This year he batted .371 with 10 RBI and was 15 of 15 in stolen bases. As a pitcher he was 5-1 with a 1.82 ERA. He will play at USM.
Ryan Twitchell, Greely senior, pitcher: A repeat all-state selection, Twitchell is regarded as one of the state’s top pitchers. He went 3-3 with a 0.95 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 441/3 innings, and had a 0.86 WHIP. He batted .321 with 12 RBI and 13 runs. Twitchell will play at the University of Rhode Island.
Coach of the Year
Marc Halsted, Yarmouth: The Clippers weren’t expected to be among the top teams in Class B South this year, but they won their first state championship since 1995. Halsted kept his players focused on improving each week, taking it game-by-game and believing they could compete with the best teams despite entering the regional playoffs as the No. 9 seed.
Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or:
mlowe@pressherald.com
Twitter: MikeLowePPH
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Softball player of the year: McKenna Smith, Old Town
The junior pitcher struck out 182 batters in 90 innings and went 13-1 for the Coyotes.McKenna Smith capped a stellar junior season by pitching a three-hit shutout with 19 strikeouts in the Class B state championship game, leading Old Town to a 2-0 win over Fryeburg Academy.McKenna Smith didn’t start playing softball until the fifth or sixth grade. Based on her junior season at Old Town High, it’s obvious she’s taken to the sport quite well.
Smith put together a tremendous season to lead Old Town to its second consecutive Class B state championship. After a regular season in which she was named the Penobscot Valley Conference pitcher and player of the year, Smith threw four shutouts in the playoffs. The final one was a 2-0 decision over Fryeburg Academy in the Class B state final in which she struck out 19.
“She just really dedicated herself this year,” Old Town Coach Jenn Plourde said of Smith, the Maine Sunday Telegram’s Player of the Year.
Smith had a 13-1 record with a 0.62 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 90 innings. She also batted .417 with six doubles, four home runs, 23 RBI and 21 runs to help the Coyotes win their final 16 games after starting 2-2.
A new mental approach made the biggest difference for Smith. As a sophomore, she played center field in the playoffs as Old Town won the state championship. She knew what she had to work on in the offseason with her pitching coach, Rick Roberts of Ellsworth.
“Last year I had a really tough time feeling that I had to prove and show myself to everyone,” she said. “If there was a hit off me or a misplay, I was struggling and it got to me. So I took my winter with my pitching coach to mentally get strong and be ready.
“He put me in different scenarios: three on, two outs, 3-2 counts, stuff like that. He continued to push me harder even when I didn’t want to be pushed. There would be days when I was having fun and doing my job, and being focused, and there were days when I didn’t want to be pushed. But you have to be able to get through it and be focused.”
That’s where Plourde saw the greatest difference in Smith, who played first base or shortstop when not pitching.
“Everyone knew physically and athletically she could be a great pitcher,” Plourde said. “It was about her not putting the pressure on herself. If someone made a mistake, an error or a bad throw … last year sometimes it got to her a bit. This year she was telling people when they made mistakes, ‘It’s OK, I got you.’ ”
Smith also plays field hockey and runs indoor track, and finished second in the high jump at the Class B indoor state meet. But it’s softball that has grabbed her.
“I love just being with the girls and cheering everyone on,” she said. “It’s such a team sport. Track is a team sport but you compete individually. I’ve grown to love (softball). My family bonds over it. It’s connected to various ways in my life.”
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Ashley Alward, Skowhegan junior, pitcher/utility: The KVAC Class A North Player of the Year, Alward helped the Indians reach the Class A state title game for a second consecutive year. She batted .382 as Skowhegan’s No. 3 hitter with a team-high 19 RBI, and went 11-1 as a pitcher with a 0.72 ERA and 126 strikeouts.
Jess Brown, Portland junior, pitcher: The Gatorade Maine Player of the Year, Brown was a huge reason why the Bulldogs made it to the Class A South final for the first time since 2004. She went 12-2 with a 1.29 ERA and struck out 134 batters in 1002/3 innings. She also hit .451.
Mackenzie Buzzell, Fryeburg Academy senior, center field: The Player of the Year in the Western Maine Conference, Buzzell played a huge role in helping the Raiders reach the Class B state final. She hit .541 with six home runs, six doubles, two triples, 20 RBI and 37 runs.
Anya Chase, Wells junior, pitcher: One of the state’s most dominant pitchers, the lefty went 11-2 with a 1.20 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 812/3 innings as Wells reached the Class B South final. She walked only 12 batters. She also hit .484 with eight doubles, seven triples, 19 RBI and 29 runs as Wells’ leadoff batter.
Brook Davis, Biddeford junior, catcher: A repeat All-State selection, Davis was the SMAA defensive player of the year while also batting .510 with 14 RBI and 23 runs. She hit two home runs and was walked 16 times, producing an on-base percentage of .609.
Chloe Griffin, Scarborough junior, outfield/pitcher: A returning All-State selection, Griffin was a double threat for the Class A champion. She batted .438 with two home runs, 29 RBI and 37 runs. In the circle, she was 6-0 with a 0.46 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 30 innings.
Alexis Mazurek, Oceanside senior, first base: Mazurek did not commit an error and helped the Mariners to the Class B North championship game with a big bat, hitting .514 with a school record-tying eight home runs. She also hit eight doubles and drove in 32 runs, scoring 30.
Grace McGouldrick, Gorham junior, shortstop/pitcher: McGouldrick had an outstanding season at the plate, hitting .609 with 32 runs and 23 RBI as the Rams’ No. 3 hitter. She hit six triples and five home runs, and stole 11 bases. As a pitcher she was 5-6 with 99 strikeouts in 85 innings. She has verbally committed to play at UMaine.
Olivia Mora, Windham senior, first base: The Player of the Year in the SMAA and a Miss Maine Softball finalist, Mora hit .596 with five doubles, three triples, four home runs, 17 RBI and 31 runs. She tied the school record with 13 career home runs and will next play at Roger Williams.
Abbie Murrell, Scarborough senior, pitcher/utility: One of the most dominant players in the SMAA, Murrell helped Scarborough win the Class A state title by batting .457 with three home runs and 34 RBI. As a pitcher she was 8-0 with a 0.43 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 48 innings. She will next play at St. Anselm College.
Hailey Perry, Hermon senior, catcher: The Miss Maine Softball winner, Perry was a flawless defensive catcher who also hit .579 in leading the Hawks to the Class B North semifinals, She hit nine doubles and three triples, and drove in 24 runs. She’ll play at the University of Maine.
Madysen Robichaud, Bucksport senior, outfield: A finalist for Miss Maine Softball, Robichaud was a top player on Bucksport’s Class C state championship team. She hit over .500 with six home runs, including two in the playoffs. She scored 29 runs, drove in 23 and was walked 22 times. Robichaud will play at USM.
McKenna Smith, Old Town junior, pitcher: Our selection as Player of the Year, Smith was outstanding in leading the Coyotes to their second consecutive Class B state title, going 13-1 with a 0.62 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 90 innings. She also batted .417 with six doubles, four home runs, 23 RBI and 21 runs. She was 10 of 10 in stolen bases.
Lilly Volk, Scarborough senior, pitcher: A finalist for Miss Maine Softball, Volk helped the Red Storm to the Class A state title. She was 8-0 with a 0.99 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 56 innings, and batted .391 with two home runs, 26 RBI and 23 runs. She will next play at the University of Maine.
Coach of the Year
Jenn Plourde, Old Town: Plourde kept the Coyotes focused all season on simply becoming a better team each game, rather than trying to repeat as Class B champions. And when it came for the playoffs, she and her staff figured out the best defensive alignment, which put McKenna Smith in the circle. She pitched four shutouts and the Coyotes were back on top.
Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or:
mlowe@pressherald.com
Twitter: MikeLowePPH
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Boys’ lacrosse player of the year: Christian Glover, Brunswick
The long-stick midfielder played a rare hybrid role on offense and defense in leading the Dragons to the Class A state title.In addition to being one of the leaders of Brunswick's defense from his position as a long-stick midfielder, Christian Glover also compiled 41 goals and 26 assists, including three goals against Scarborough in the Class A state championship game.Long-stick midfielder.
It’s the lacrosse term for the fourth player with a long pole on the field – the one who runs on when the other team has the ball to play defense, hopefully causes a turnover, and then hustles off the field in favor of a better offensive midfielder toting an easier to maneuver short stick.
Unless the long-stick midfielder is Christian Glover of Brunswick, that is. Then he stays on the field, wields his 6-foot pole like a giant conductor’s baton and directs the Dragons’ offense all the way to the Class A championship.
“There’s not many that can play that hybrid role,” said Thornton Academy Coach Ryan Hersey.
In Maine’s high school ranks, there’s only one. Glover scored 41 goals and added 26 assists while leading his team to a fourth straight Class A North title and its second state championship in three years. That’s why he was an easy choice as Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year.
In an 18-17 overtime win against Scarborough in the Class A championship game, Glover was off the field for just three minutes. He scored three goals and continued to maintain the long-stick midfielder’s primary purpose of harassing opposing offensive players.
“He carried us in a lot of regards,” said Don Glover, his father and the Brunswick coach.
“I definitely bring a different style to the position than most LSMs,” said Christian Glover. “For me, it’s finding that balance of when to actually come off the field to get that rest that I will need later in the game. On defense, I still want to get that solid stop and push the ball up the field.”
In his four state-final appearances, Glover came out on top as a sophomore and a senior.
“I took the first three for granted. It’s got like an annual event feel to it,” Christian said. “Then I realized there are incredible teams in this state that have never made it to the state game.
“This year it was a lot more personal. It’s an amazing opportunity that few people get to experience, and it was amazing to experience it four times.”
A two-time All-American and two-time All-Telegram selection, Glover intends to spend a postgraduate year at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.
He believes playing long-stick midfield in his hybrid style, both at Phillips Exeter and then in college, is in his future.
“I’d like to hope so. I think it will be,” he said.
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Mat Anderson, Gorham senior, defense: Regarded by several coaches as the top defender in the SMAA, the two-time first-team league pick had 113 ground balls and 52 takeaways, and also had three goals and two assists.
Ben Ekedahl, Cape Elizabeth senior, defense: A shutdown defender with good feet and reach, the repeat All-Telegram pick forced 40 turnovers, scooped 69 ground balls and was a key on clearing plays.
Christian Glover, Brunswick senior, long-stick midfielder: A repeat All-Telegram choice, Glover is the Player of the Year for leading Brunswick to the Class A title as a hybrid who could be a defensive stopper but also had the offensive skills to score 41 goals with 26 assists.
Brendan Hickey, Falmouth junior, defense: Hickey is also a repeat All-Telegram pick. He used positioning, strength and smarts to shut down top scorers, was a valuable option in the clearing game, and caused 57 turnovers with 74 ground balls, and added four goals and four assists.
Carter Landry, Gorham senior, goalkeeper: A repeat All-Telegram and first-team SMAA pick, Landry’s .716 save percentage was better than last year as he made 164 saves with a 4.63 goals-against average. Active outside the crease, he forced 14 turnovers, and had 33 ground balls and an assist.
Sam Neugebauer, Scarborough senior, attack: A repeat All-Telegram choice, the hard-working attack improved his one-on-one ability and topped 60 goals for the second straight season with 64 goals and 12 assists for the Class A South champ.
Riley Reed, Falmouth sophomore, long-stick midfielder: A ball-seeking specialist with the speed to stick with top players and move the ball in transition, he forced 64 turnovers, and had 79 ground balls with a goal and two assists.
Nate Richards, Deering senior, midfield: A four-year varsity player and three-year starter, Richards was instrumental in helping the Rams improve each season, from 3-9 as a freshman to 8-4 this year, when he scored 50 goals with 26 assists and added 61 ground balls. He scored 143 career goals, with at least one in 45 of 47 games.
Jack Scribner, Falmouth senior, attack: A creative offensive threat, the repeat All-Telegram choice scored 49 goals with 35 assists while helping the Yachtsmen (12-2) advance to the Class B South final.
Cole Spencer, Cape Elizabeth senior, faceoff specialist: Spencer won 70 percent of his faceoffs, giving the Class B state champion one more edge over most teams.
Connor Thoreck, Cape Elizabeth senior, midfield: A true two-way player, Thoreck had one of the top outside shots in the state. He scored four goals in Cape Elizabeth’s win against Yarmouth in the Class B state final, and finished with 29 goals and 12 assists.
Owen Thoreck, Cape Elizabeth senior, attack: A powerful presence both in the attack and as a defender after a save or turnover, the two-time All-American scored 45 goals with 22 assists as Cape Elizabeth reclaimed the Class B championship.
Coach of the Year
Ryan Hersey, Thornton Academy: Hersey revamped his offense and switched to an up-tempo attack to make the best use of a deep, athletic team, and the move paid dividends with an 11-1 record in the regular season and a trip to the Class A South final.
Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or:
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Girls’ lacrosse player of the year: Madison Drain, Massabesic
The junior midfielder played a vital role on offense and defense to lead the Mustangs to the Class A state title.Madison Drain recorded 40 goals, 25 assists and 41 ground balls this season, and also was a key part of a smothering defense as Massabesic completed an undefeated season with a 13-4 win over Messalonskee in the Class A state championship game.Madison Drain has never been afraid of a challenge.
As the younger sister to three brothers, Drain learned how to hold her own.
As a freshman and sophomore on talented Massabesic High lacrosse teams, she quickly made her presence known as a two-way player.
This year, as a junior midfielder, Drain stepped into a bigger leadership role as the Mustangs won the Class A title with a convincing 13-4 victory against Messalonskee. Drain and Massabesic finished the task they felt they had let slip away in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Eagles in the 2016 title game.
“My team gave me so much confidence this year and I knew that someone else could get the job done,” Drain said. “My coaches told me, when you need to, you can go for it, but when you don’t, you need to step back and control the pace. It’s a very fast-paced game, but if you take a second and read your options, the decisions become very simple.”
Sometimes those decisions were simply to take charge, like when Drain scored twice in a matter of seconds – winning the draw to herself in between – to end any drama in the state final.
Drain’s 40 goals, 25 assists and 41 ground balls, combined with her impact at the defensive end, make her our pick as Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year.
“To me, the most dominant player in our league all-around is Drain, at both ends of the field,” said Thornton Academy Coach Craig Agreste. “After we played Massabesic, I felt we had an answer for everything they wanted to do except for her.”
Drain’s ability to bother opposing players, read defenses and cause turnovers helped Massabesic limit opponents to just 3.1 goals per game.
“I personally love playing defense,” Drain said. “You can’t be that physical in the sport, but you can be close and kind of mentally make contact.”
“Everybody knows about Madi’s offensive prowess,” said Massabesic Coach Brooks Bowen, “but on the defensive side of the ball she’s equally important. She controls the tempo of the game. She’s just a very smart lacrosse player. I’m glad I don’t have to coach against her.”
Drain is expected to be one of 10 seniors and 19 returning varsity players in 2018.
“The mindset going into next year is knowing what we can do and what we have, and just hopefully getting back out there to the states again,” she said.
TELEGRAM ALL-STATE TEAM
Gretchen Barbera, Yarmouth senior, defense: A repeat All-Telegram choice who will play next at Allegheny College, she was a consistently solid defender who ran the defense, caused turnovers and secured ground balls.
Sydney Bell, Falmouth senior, midfield: A fierce competitor and a returning All-Telegram pick who will be playing next year at Trinity College, Bell scored 41 goals with 15 assists and was also one of the state’s best on draws.
Madison Drain, Massabesic junior, midfield: The Telegram Player of the Year scored 40 goals, with 25 assists and 41 ground balls, and was a defensive force and a draw-control specialist, leading her team to a 16-0 record and the Class A title.
Gabby Fogg, Kennebunk senior, midfield: An all-conference player and her team’s MVP, Fogg was one of several Rams who filled bigger roles this season and were pivotal to the team’s repeat Class B championship. She finished with 22 goals, five assists and 28 draw controls.
Caroline Gastonguay, St. Dominic junior, midfield: In the Saints’ second varsity season, Gastonguay had 81 goals and 24 assists. She also had 51 ground balls, 45 caused turnovers and won 95 draws while impressing veteran WMC coaches.
Mary Kate Gunville, Yarmouth senior, goalkeeper: A four-year starter and first-team all-WMC pick, Gunville had a calm confidence that spread to her teammates. She stopped 65 percent of the shots she faced.
Allie Lawlor, York senior, midfield: A first-team WMC choice who will play field hockey and lacrosse at Endicott College, Lawlor had 38 goals with 17 assists as York’s top offensive threat. She also caused 33 turnovers, scooped 54 ground balls and had 62 draw controls.
Paige LeBlanc, Thornton Academy senior, midfield: A two-time first-team SMAA pick, LeBlanc was the top two-way player and handled the draws for the Golden Trojans. She was also the team’s second-leading scorer with 28 goals and eight assists.
Maran Oakman, Kennebunk senior, defense: A key member on the Rams’ consecutive Class B championship teams, Oakman’s ability to read opposing offenses allowed her to knock down 26 passes. Her speed and athletic ability often was pivotal in transition and clearing situations. She will play next at Assumption College.
Morgan Pike, Massabesic junior, attack: The Mustangs’ overall points leader scored 36 goals and dished out 31 assists, and added 22 ground balls for the Class A champions.
Eva Then, Yarmouth junior, midfield: A hard-working two-way player, she scored 35 goals with 16 assists while controlling the offense for the Class B North champion. She was also a key target on the draw circle.
Ally Turner, Messalonskee junior, midfield: A repeat All-Telegram selection, Turner led the Eagles to their third straight Class A North title, and set school records with 85 goals, 120 points and 116 winning draws.
Coach of the Year
Annie Barker, Kennebunk: A repeat selection, Barker earned the award in 2016 for keeping a heavily favored veteran squad hungry and focused. This year the Rams had to replace the majority of their scoring, but they peaked at the right time to win a second straight Class B title.
Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or:
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Girls’ tennis player of the year: Lana Mavor, Yarmouth
The sophomore rolled through the singles tournament to capture her first state title.Lana Mavor, 16, a junior at Maine Virtual Academy who travels often to tennis competitions, says her online course work is not easy. "I'm taking honors classes ... so it's not a walk in the park."After blasting one final forehand winner, Lana Mavor relaxed and began the walk to the net for the congratulatory handshake.
As Mavor reached the service line, she glanced at her fingernails as if wondering if they needed a trim. No celebration seemed necessary. The outcome certainly was never in doubt.
Mavor, a Yarmouth sophomore, had defeated Rosemary Campanella of Wells 6-1, 6-1 to become a state champion for the first time. In five matches of the singles tournament, the top-seeded Mavor lost only six games. She shut out her first two opponents and limited the final three to two games apiece.
“Showing emotion makes it easier for the opponent to play you,” Mavor said later. “So it’s good to keep it contained.”
Mavor, who also led Yarmouth to the regional final of the Class B team tournament, is the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year in girls’ tennis. Her father, Brian, was the 1982 singles state champion for Cape Elizabeth.
“When she’s on the court, she’s taking care of business,” said Yarmouth Coach Ann Harradon. “You don’t see any expression. There’s no happy. There’s no sad. Occasionally she’ll slap her thigh, then I know she’s not happy with what she’s just done.”
There was some question whether Mavor – a nationally ranked player who does schoolwork online through Maine Virtual Academy rather than attend classes at Yarmouth High – would play for the Clippers this spring. As a freshman, a back injury forced Mavor to withdraw from the state singles tournament in the semifinals against Campanella.
“I didn’t get a chance to finish states,” she said. “I wanted to see how I did. And I like being part of a team.”
Mavor didn’t drop a set in her 10 matches for the team, including three in the playoffs. Her games record was 120-13. Yarmouth had two other sophomores who were Mavor’s classmates back at Harrison Middle School.
“So she gets along with the kids,” Harradon said. “She had a team dinner at her house and they all came.”
On the court, Mavor had no peers in Maine.
“They watch her and they’re amazed,” Harradon said. “She’s something we’ve never had before. She’s very athletic and puts a lot of time and effort into making herself better. She works out in the gym, and she runs and she hits with area pros. We’ve had good players, but nowhere near as competitive and highly ranked as she is.”
Mavor’s busy summer schedule began this weekend with a trip to a sectional tournament at Yale University. Next weekend, she has intersectionals in Louisiana. After that are tournaments in Pennsylvania and Virginia, followed by up to three in California.
In the fall, college coaches can begin the recruiting process.
“I just focus every match,” Mavor said, “and try to practice my skills that I’ve been working on in practice.”
Telegram All-Sate Team
Grace Campanella, Kennebunk freshman: Campanella reached the semifinals of the state singles tournament, losing a total of only two games in her first three matches before being stopped by eventual champ Lana Mavor.
Rosemary Campanella, Wells junior: The two-time singles finalist and older sister of Grace won four matches by a combined games score of 48-10 before falling 6-1, 6-1 to Lana Mavor in the final. She helped lead Kennebunk/Wells to first tourney berth.
Liv Clifford, Cape Elizabeth senior: The No. 7 seed, she reached the quarterfinals with a pair of straight-set victories before falling to eventual finalist Rosemary Campanella, 6-3, 6-2. She plans to continue playing tennis at Colorado College.
Lexi Epstein, Waynflete senior: The No. 9 seed, Epstein reached the quarterfinals by beating No. 8 Gabrielle Marquis of Caribou 6-1, 6-0 before falling 6-0, 6-2 to eventual champ Lana Mavor, then helped the Flyers win the Class C team title. She plans to continue playing at Dickinson College.
Izzy Evans, Greely junior: After a year abroad, Evans returned to lead the Rangers to their third Class B title in four years, 3-2 over Caribou. Seeded fourth in singles, she reached the quarterfinals before falling 6-0, 6-2 to Grace Campanella.
Bethany Hammond, St. Dominic senior: A four-time singles semifinalist and the 2015 runner-up, Hammond fell 6-1, 6-2 to Rosemary Campanella in the semifinals. She plans to continue playing tennis at Stonehill College.
Lana Mavor, Yarmouth sophomore: The top seed in the singles tournament, she rolled through the field by a combined games score of 60-6 to win the title, culminating in 6-1, 6-1 victory over Rosemary Campanella. In team play, she led the sixth-seeded Clippers to the Class B South final.
Kira Wolpow, Brunswick senior: The sixth seed in the singles tourney, she rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Falmouth’s Meredith Kelley to reach the quarterfinals before falling 6-3, 6-2 to Bethany Hammond. She led the Dragons to the Class A North title. After a gap year teaching English in Colombia, she’ll attend Northeastern.
Coach of the Year
Bill Goodspeed, Falmouth: In his second season after rising from assistant coach to head coach, Goodspeed continued Falmouth’s run of state titles to 10 and match winning streak to 157. Falmouth won the Class A state title with a 5-0 sweep of Brunswick to cap a 19-1 tournament run despite, for the second straight year, losing the state singles champion to graduation and having to rely even more heavily on the bottom of the lineup. Goodspeed even found time to self-publish a book this spring called “Alternative Facts: Fake News, Tweets & the 2016 Election.” “We never talk about it,” Goodspeed said of the winning streak. “I don’t know if it’s superstition or it’s one match at a time. It’s like looking ahead in the draw. We don’t look ahead in the draw.”
CORRECTION: This story was updated at 10:22 a.m. on June 26, 2017 to correct Lana Mavor’s record in the singles tournament.
Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or:
Twitter: GlennJordanPPH
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Boys’ tennis player of the year: Nick Mathieu, Mt. Ararat
The senior was a four-year singles finalist and two-time state champion.All the fitness training helped when it was most needed, when Nick Mathieu of Mt. Ararat went three long sets to outlast Nick Forester of Falmouth in the state final.Nick Mathieu dabbled in baseball and soccer, but when he started playing tennis he was hooked. He loved the individual aspect of the sport, the lack of outside influence.
“It was a matter of how hard I wanted to work,” said Mathieu, who convinced his father to hit at Maine Pines in Brunswick in the predawn hours before school.
“Five days a week I would go in with my dad, from 4 to 7 a.m.,” he said. “We’d open up the club and he’d feed balls to me for three hours.”
Mathieu completed a remarkable high school career at Mt. Ararat in Topsham. He reached the final of the state singles tournament all four years, winning three-set matches as a junior and senior after twice being runner-up.
For the second straight year, he is the Maine Sunday Telegram’s Player of the Year in boys’ tennis.
“He’s a good athlete who could have done anything,” said Mt. Ararat Coach Don Foley. “He could have played lacrosse, baseball. His brother is very good at track. But (Nick) concentrated on tennis. That’s what he wanted.”
In four years, Mathieu went 85-2. He lost only to Brendan McCarthy of Falmouth in 2014 and Isaac Salas of Waynflete in 2015. He plans to continue playing at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire and study business with a concentration in finance and a minor in biology.
“My goal going in (to high school) was to win all four, honestly,” he said. “I figured it was good to aim high. I’d still do well even if I didn’t reach it.”
There were sacrifices. Mathieu said he spent more time in the gym lifting weights, cross training and doing core and balance work than he spent with friends. He credits improved fitness for still feeling fresh at the end of his 2-hour, 20-minute 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Nick Forester of Falmouth in the singles final.
If he has any regrets, it’s the time he spent traveling to tournaments nearly every weekend from seventh to 10th grade.
“I’m happier now,” he said. “Looking back, I definitely wouldn’t have done as many tournaments as that. Now it’s more at home, training for the select big tournaments.”
He has several sprinkled throughout New England this summer. He’s also coaching and giving private instruction. But this weekend he’ll be on the Roach River north of Greenville, casting flies for brook trout and salmon. The trip is a birthday present from his parents.
“I have a balance,” he said. “Whenever I’m not playing tennis, I’m fishing.”
Foley, who coached another four-year singles finalist – three-time state champ Mike Hill – has known Mathieu since he was 12 and admires his passion.
“He gets very energized, let’s put it that way,” Foley said. “I told him the nearest comparison tennis has to another sport is boxing, and that tennis final was like a boxing match, one blow after another, back and forth, all day long.”
Telegram All-State Team
Brandon Ameglio, Waynflete senior: Ameglio knocked off the fourth and fifth seeds in singles tournament to become the second unseeded player in recent memory to reach the semifinals, where he lost to eventual champ Nick Mathieu. He’ll continue playing at Connecticut College.
Declan Archer, Kennebunk freshman: Archer was unseeded but reached the singles quarterfinals before being derailed by eventual finalist Nick Forester. Playing No. 1 singles, he went 10-2 in team matches for a team that finished 2-10.
Nick Forester, Falmouth sophomore: An ambidextrous player who returned from a knee injury to lead Falmouth to the Class A state title, he reached the final of the singles tournament and extended defending champ Nick Mathieu to three sets in a hard-fought championship match.
Matthew Jarmusz, Morse senior: Jarmusz advanced to the singles quarterfinals before falling to No. 3 Dariy Vykhodtsev. He helped lead Morse to a 12-2 record and into the Class B South semifinals. In four years of team play, he never lost a match.
Thomas Jarmusz, Morse senior: Jarmusz won a third-set tiebreaker to reach the quarterfinals before losing 6-3, 7-5 to Brandon Ameglio. He was unbeaten in team play. He’ll attend Ithaca College with his brother.
Nick Mathieu, Mt. Ararat senior: A two-time singles state champion and four-time finalist, he won the last three games in the singles final to beat Nick Forester, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. He had an 85-2 career record. He plans to continue playing at Colby-Sawyer College.
Cole Ouellette, Lewiston senior: A two-time state champion in hockey who plans to continue in juniors, Ouellette’s athleticism helped him reach the singles quarterfinals before falling 6-1, 6-1 to Nick Mathieu. He led Lewiston to the Class A North title over No. 1 Brunswick.
Dariy Vykhodtsev, Thornton Academy sophomore: A singles finalist as a freshman, he returned to the semifinals this spring before falling 6-3, 6-4 to Nick Forester. He was unbeaten in team play as the Golden Trojans finished 15-1.
Coach of the Year
Noah Capetta, Camden Hills: Capetta led the Windjammers to a second consecutive Class B state championship with 5-0 shutout of Yarmouth. In Capetta’s four years at the helm, Camden Hills has reached the state final four times, compiling a record of 58-6. “I love sharing my passion for tennis and the life lessons that I’ve learned through practicing, playing and teaching tennis,” Capetta said. He was previously an assistant at Greely and at his alma mater, Hermon. He said tennis is always a challenge because graduation and the end of the school year always coincide with the last week of playoffs. “I’ve been lucky to have a group of players who are dedicated to the team and are able to keep many balls in the air.”
Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or:
Twitter: GlennJordanPPH
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Boys’ track player of the year: Sam Rusak, Scarborough
Despite an injury, he claimed 2 state records and lifted Scarborough to its second title.Scarborough's Sam Rusak clears 16 feet to tie the state record in pole vaulting at the Class A Outdoor Track & Field State Championships at Massabesic High School.The 2016 outdoor track and field season couldn’t have gone much better for Sam Rusak, who won four individual events at the Class A state meet to help Scarborough win the team title, then earned All-America status in the decathlon at the New Balance nationals.
This season was a different story: Rusak dealt with an injury for most of the season. But when it came time for the state meet, he still made an impact.
Despite not practicing or competing until 21/2 weeks before the state meet, Rusak tied the state record in the pole vault (16-0), helped Scarborough set a record in the 400-meter relay (42.99 seconds) and finished second in the high jump – after injuring a hamstring in the relay.
His efforts helped Scarborough retain its team championship and earned him a repeat selection as Maine Sunday Telegram track and field athlete of the year over several other strong candidates.
Rusak’s season got off to an inauspicious start when he pulled the tendons in his right big toe while practicing the discus. The injury not only kept him from competing for the most of the season but also from practicing.
But he was healthy enough to win the pole vault and high jump at the SMAA championships a week before the state meet.
At the state championships, he won the pole vault for the second straight year but passed on the chance to set the outright state record because the 400 relay was going on at the same time as the pole vault.
“I missed my first attempt at 16 (feet), and my relay came to tell me it was time. So I said, ‘Give me one more jump,’ ” Rusak said. “If I didn’t make it then I probably wasn’t going to (try again) after the relay.
“I heard Coach say, ‘You got it. Be confident.’ And as soon as I planted the pole, I knew I had this jump.”
He tied the state record set in 2008 by David Slovenski of Brunswick. Scarborough Coach Derek Veilleux called it his best vault ever.
“He crushed it,” Veilleux said. “He had 21/2 weeks to train, and he still almost won three events.
“He will be remembered as one of the greats in Maine high school track and field. And I think he would have done more in certain events if he focused on them. He probably would have cleared 17 feet in the pole vault. That is in the realm of possibility. But he was always willing to sacrifice and do other events for the team’s success.”
Rusak finished his high school career with 10 individual state titles and was a member of five state championship teams, including indoor track. He holds the indoor pole vault state record, and was an All-American in the decathlon (outdoors) and pentathlon (indoors).
But it was Rusak’s second-place finish in the high jump at this year’s state meet that most impressed his coach.
“I don’t think he was in any condition to jump, but he didn’t let on,” Veilleux said.
“Even when he wasn’t 100 percent, he still almost won it. That’s the heart of a champion. I’ll be telling that story to inspire athletes for years to come.”
Next year, Rusak will compete for the University of Connecticut on a track scholarship.
“I think his best is ahead of him,” Veilleux said. “He will have the chance to focus on his events. There’s definitely more he can do.”
Matt Brady, Biddeford senior, throws: Brady placed second in the shot put (57-01/4) and third in the discus (163-4) at the Class A championships, won the shot put at the New England championships with a meet-record throw of 64-33/4.
Tanner Burton, Messalonskee senior, hurdles: Burton won the 110-meter hurdles at the Class A state meet (14.91) and finished third at the New Englands (14.81). He also posted the fastest time in the state (14.77) this year.
Jake Koffman, Orono senior, throws: Koffman was a Class C state meet winner – discus (173-6) and shot put (55-23/4) – leading his team to the title. He also won the discus (190-1) and was second in the shot put (59-0) at the New Englands, and was third at the New Balance nationals in the discus with Maine best-ever throw – 199-1.
Luke Laverdiere, Yarmouth junior, distance: Laverdiere swept the distance events at the Class B state meet, capturing the 1,600 (4:18.75), 800 (2:01.00) and 3,200 (9:31.69). At the New Englands, he finished sixth in the 1,600 in a state-leading time of 4:17.18.
Austin Lufkin, Brewer senior, throws: Lufkin was a double winner at the Class A state meet, winning the shot put (59-41/2) and discus (175-2). At the New Englands, he finished third in the shot put (57-53/4) and second in the discus (183-8).
Evan Porter, Traip Academy senior, hurdles: Porter repeated his Class C state titles in the 110 hurdles (15.28), 100 dash (11.55), and 300 hurdles (39.98). He finished fourth in the 300 hurdles at the New Englands with the second-best time in state history (38.41).
Johnny Rosario, Thornton Academy senior, sprints: Rosario won the 100 (11.01) and 200 (22.48) at the Class A state meet, and posted the fastest times in the state this season in both events (10.97 and 22.35).
Sam Rusak, Scarborough senior, jumps/sprints: Rusak won another pole vault state title at the Class A meet with a state-record mark of 16-0, was second in the high jump (6-0), and anchored the winning 400 relay team to a state-record time of 42.99.
Stephen Smith, South Portland senior, racewalk: Smith won the 3,000 racewalk at the New Balance nationals (13:49.09) and the 1,600 racewalk at the Class A state meet (7:02.71).
Cayden Spencer-Thompson, Mattanawcook Academy sophomore, jumps: Spencer-Thompson won the Class C triple jump for the second straight year with a record of 47-3 and also won the long jump (22-31/2). At the New Englands, he was second in the triple jump (47-81/2) – breaking his own Maine all-time best mark.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Derek Veilleux, Scarborough: Aided by victories in all three relays, the Red Storm won their second straight Class A title and third in five years, more than doubling the point total of their closest challenger.
Deirdre Fleming can be reached at 791-6452 or:
dfleming@pressherald.com
Twitter: FlemingPph
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Girls’ track player of the year: Emma Gallant, Cheverus
The fast freshman thinks keeping calm may be her strength.Freshman Emma Gallant of Cheverus won two individual events at the Class A championship meet, then went on to take the New England title in 24.81 seconds – the second-best time in Maine history.Many high school track and field athletes get nervous before track meets.
Not Emma Gallant, who just finished a wildly successful freshman year at Cheverus High.
Gallant won both the 100 and 200 meters at the Class A state championships, with a Class A state-record time of 25.33 seconds in the 200. It was her first time breaking 26 seconds.
A week later, she went into the New England championships seeded ninth and won with a blistering 24.81 – making her the second-fastest 200-meter runner in Maine high school history. It also helped make her the Maine Sunday Telegram’s choice for girls’ track and field athlete of the year.
Gallant, who also starred on the Cheverus soccer team last fall, said she never imagined having so much immediate success. And she hasn’t set any goals yet for the next three years.
“The way I see it, (the 200 is) 25 seconds of my life,” Gallant said. “The faster I get done, the faster I get some food. It’s just, have a good start, get there first, I’m good.”
The only difference now, she said, is track is finally on par with her first love – soccer.
“Track used to be second. I did it more as a hobby,” Gallant said while taking a break from kicking a soccer ball with a friend. “But this year was more fun than I thought it was going to be.”
Gallant credits her rapid improvement on more focused training and having teammates to push her, two things she lacked in middle school and summer rec programs.
Gallant helped lead Cheverus to its first Class A state title.
She was the Stags’ only individual double winner and ran on two relays – figuring in 38 of the team’s 74 points.
In addition to the 100 and 200, she ran a leg on the winning 1,600 relay team (4:04.68) and the second-place 400 relay team (50.63).
At the New Englands, she also ran the 1,600 relay, which finished fourth in 3:58.96. At the New Balance nationals, Cheverus clocked a school-record time of 3:58.49, the second-fastest in Maine history. Gallant’s powerful anchor leg was noticed by the announcer, who told the crowd she circled the track in 55 seconds.
Yet Gallant said she’s not going to change her approach to track, and certainly not her enjoyment.
When asked if she considered herself “fairly chill,” Gallant’s direct answer was: “Yes I do.”
And that may be her secret.
“My outlook has worked so far,” she said. “I see no reason to change.”
Nyagoa Bayak, Westbrook sophomore, jumps: Bayak won the Class A high jump (5-4) and triple jump (36-8), and had the year’s top mark in the state in each (5-73/4 and 37-1).
Darcy Cochran, Cape Elizabeth freshman, hurdles: Cochran won the 100 hurdles in a state-best time of 15.14 and was third in the 300 hurdles (46:03) at the Class B state meet.
Adelaide Cooke, Falmouth senior, throws/hurdles: Cooke won her third Class A discus title (115-5), and was third in the 100 hurdles (16:12) and javelin (110-3). At the New Englands, she finished third in the discus (130-0).
Emma Gallant, Cheverus freshman, sprints: Gallant won the 200 at the New Englands (24.81) after setting a Class A record of 25.33 at the state meet. She also won the 100 (12.60) at the state meet to lead her team to its first Class A championship.
Katherine O’Brien, Orono junior, sprints/jumps: O’Brien won the 100 (12.93) and long jump (16-81/2) to help Orono run away with his sixth consecutive Class C championship.
Kylie Nelson, Belfast senior, jumps: Nelson won the long jump (17-7) and pole vault (10-0) at the Class B championships.
Juliana Selser, South Portland junior, distance: Selser earned Class A titles in the 1,600 (5:11.01) and 800 (2:16.95).
Hannah Steelman, Orono senior, distance: A double winner in Class C, Steelman won the 1,600 (5:07.62) and 3,200 (11:09.91).
Tia Tardy, MDI senior, distance: Tardy won the 800 in a Class B-record time of 2:14.76 and took the 1,600 title in a state-leading time of 5:01.14. She also finished fourth in the 800 at the New Englands with an all-time Maine best of 2:09.64.
Emma White, Cheverus sophomore, jumps: White won the Class A long jump with a state-leading mark of 18-2 and finished second in the triple jump (36-7).
COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve Virgilio, Cheverus: Virgilio led Cheverus to its first Class A state championship, with more than half of the team’s 74 points coming from underclassmen.
UPDATE: This story was updated on July 14 at 5:50 p.m. to show that Darcy Cochran competed in the Class B state championships.
Deirdre Fleming can be reached at 791-6452 or:
dfleming@pressherald.com
Twitter: FlemingPph
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