Watson

Bossong

Male:

GRIFFIN WATSON, Senior-Baseball

* Fred Harlow Award winner

* SMAA all-star, first-team 

* SMAA All-Academic team

* Senior All-Star

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* Maine All-Star

* USA Today Maine all-star, second-team

Watson’s selflessness, as well as his superb skills, led Cheverus to a surprisingly great season this spring.

Watson started playing baseball at a young age and it quickly became his top sport.

“It’s just fun,” Watson said. “The clock doesn’t dictate the outcome. You get a chance to finish. I like win. No doubt about it.”

Watson, who also played football at Cheverus, joined the varsity baseball team as a freshman and became the shortstop his sophomore season. As a junior, Watson helped the Stags get to the regional final (he was named a second-team all-star), but this spring, Cheverus didn’t even appear playoff-bound when it started 1-4.

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But Watson took over behind the plate and the Stags’ fortunes quickly turned.

“The last time I caught was (at Lincoln Middle School), but Coach (Mac McKew) knew I could catch,” Watson said. “After Falmouth stole seven bases against us, he asked me how I felt about it and I said I’d do it. It took a couple games to adjust, but I enjoyed it. It was fun.”

Cheverus was 3-5 at the midway point, but didn’t lose again in the regular season as Watson’s ability at the plate and behind the plate helped his team finish as the No. 4 seed in Class A South.

The Stags then downed Deering and Falmouth (on a walkoff hit) to reach the regional final, which they lost to Gorham.

“My main goal was making playoffs,” Watson said. “I didn’t want to miss playoffs my last year. We started winning games and it was good to get back to St. Joe’s.”

Watson had two hits in a win over Sanford, three hits in a victory over Bonny Eagle, two hits apiece in wins over Kennebunk and Deering, two hits and two runs scored in a victory over Biddeford, three hits in a win over Noble, three hits and two runs scored in a come-from-behind victory over Scarborough, two hits in a regular season-ending win over Massabesic and a run scored in the Stags’ regional final loss to Gorham.

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Watson finished with an average of .431 and an on-base percentage of .493. He scored 25 runs and went 17-for-17 in stolen bases. He led the Southwestern Maine Activities Association in runs and steals and was fifth in batting average.

Watson is spending the summer playing American Legion ball and is preparing to attend Fairfield (Connecticut) College, where he’ll study finance and is entertaining the prospect of trying to walk-on to the varsity baseball team.

Griffin Watson, Cheverus’ Spring Male Athlete of the Year, put his team first and his impact won’t soon be forgotten.

Coach Mac McKew’s comment: “Griff stepped in to a starting shortstop role as a freshman and has been a key player in our program ever since. He moved behind the plate four games into his senior season and we went on to win 12 of our next 14 games. That move epitomizes who Griff is. As good a player he is, he’s an even better teammate and team player. He’s not only one of the top players I’ve had the pleasure to coach in my 10 years at Cheverus, but one of the finest young men to attend the school. He lives and practices the principles Cheverus teaches.”

Previous winners:

2017 Jared Brooks (baseball)

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2016 Frank Curran (lacrosse)

2015 Jake Dixon (track)

2014 Isaac Yeobah (track)

2013 Thomas Lawson (lacrosse)

2012 Louie DiStasio (baseball)

2011 Nic Lops (baseball)

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2010 Jack Terwilliger (track)

2009 Mick DiStasio (baseball)

2008 Topher Pochebit (lacrosse)

2007 Todd Keneborus (baseball)

2006 Michael Antoniou (lacrosse)

2005 Ben Michaud (track)

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2004 Ben Michaud (track)

Female:

VICTORIA BOSSONG, Freshman-Track

* Class A state champion, 100

* Class A state champion, 400

* SMAA all-star, first-team, 200

* SMAA all-star, second-team, 100

* SMAA all-star, second-team, 400

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* SMAA all-star, first-team, 4×400 relay

Bossong burst on to the scene and not only won state titles, but set records in the process this spring.

The Cumberland native played a variety of sports prior to high school, including track, which she started in middle school.

Bossong played soccer this past fall, then stepped in and made an impact in indoor track, placing second in both the Class A 200 and 400 and third in the 55. 

Then came outdoor track, where Bossong stole the show.

Bossong opened the year at Bonny Eagle by winning the 100 and the 400 and she even competed in the pole vault. She also came in first in the 200 during the regular season, then was unstoppable in the postseason.

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At the SMAA championship meet, Bossong took first in the 100 (12.64 seconds) and 200 (25.64). That was a mere warmup for states, where Bossong helped Cheverus repeat as Class A champions. Bossong won the 100 in a school and meet record time of 12.18. She also won the 400 (56.94) and was part of a champion 4×400 relay team (4 minutes, 5 seconds). If that wasn’t enough, Bossong was part of a runner-up 4×100 relay team. 

Between Bossong and Cheverus Winter Athlete of the Year Emma Gallant (who won the 200), the opposition didn’t have a chance.

“We’re very good friends,” Bossong said. “Without (Emma), I wouldn’t have gotten here.

“I was really excited to win states. I wasn’t expecting it. I really like running. I’m in my element. It’s physically exhausting, but mentally recharging.”

At New Englands, Bossong was second (by two-one hundreths of a second) in the 400, with a new Maine record time of 56.27 seconds. She was also part of a sixth-place 4×400 relay team.

Bossong then ended her season at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals, where she was sixth among freshmen in the 400 (setting a new personal record of 56.24 seconds) and was part of a 10th-place 4×400 relay team.

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Bossong is more than just an athlete. She also plays the violin and the piano, is part of the All-State Orchestra, is the secretary of Cheverus’ Key Club and belongs to Spanish Club and Math Club.

Bossong wants to set additional records in the years to come and plans on focusing on track exclusively beginning her sophomore year.

Victoria Bossong, Cheverus’ Spring Female Athlete of the Year, has already proved to be a standout. She’s only going to get faster and that has to give the opposition nightmares.

Coach Steve Virgilio’s comment: “Victoria had a remarkable year. She’s an amazing person. A special level of success or performance is unique. It’s not for everyone. Every person can, however, make choices and decisions that lead to amazing things and Victoria is amazing because she makes so many positive decisions and choices on a regular basis. That she has those unique gifts makes her stand out among her peers. I can’t say enough about how important and influential her character, personality and approach were to both her and the team’s success this year.”

Previous winners:

2017 Emma Gallant (track)

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2016 Emily Turner (track)

2015 Abby Biegel (lacrosse)

2014 Brittany Bell (softball)

2013 Alex Logan (lacrosse)

2012 Meredith Willard (lacrosse)

2011 Paige Lucas (lacrosse)

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2010 Theresa Hendrix (softball)

2009 Theresa Hendrix (softball)

2008 Theresa Hendrix (softball)

2007 Dana Proscia (lacrosse)

2006 Dana Proscia (lacrosse)

2005 Meaghan Morris (track)

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2004 Kate McLaughlin (track)

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

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Griffin Watson

Victoria Bossong


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