Forester

Smithwick

 

Male:

NICK FORESTER, Junior-Tennis

* State singles champion

* SMAA All-Star, first-team, singles

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Forester reached the pinnacle as an individual and with his team this spring and he’s far from finished when it comes to collecting hardware.

Forester starting playing tennis at a young age and began hitting the ball with both hands at the age of nine, giving him a big advantage over his opponents. He was a league all-star as a freshman, lost in the state singles final as a sophomore and had no peer this spring.

Forester didn’t lose a match during the regular season, then won the individual championship by beating teammate Alex Klemperer in the final.

Forester remained unbeatable in the team playoffs, winning four more matches (dropping just four total games in the process) and helping Falmouth cap a 16-0 championship season with a victory over Camden Hills in the state match.

Forester, who has also played golf and soccer in high school, is highly ranked in New England in his age group. He plans to play in college and will have plenty of suitors.

Nick Forester, Falmouth’s Spring Male Athlete of the Year, was simply perfect this season and while the bar is set stratospherically high, don’t be surprised if he steals the show one more time as a senior.

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Coach Bob McCully’s comment: “Nick has a quiet confidence in his ability. He respects his opponents and his sportsmanship is outstanding. He’s a natural leader and his work ethic makes his teammates work harder. He’s highly respected by the players and coaches we compete against. His athleticism is obvious when you witness the unconventional ambidexterity he employs in ball striking. He’s very comfortable at the net and has a complete game. He has the rare ability to compete hard and keep things in perspective and have fun playing.”

Previous winners:

2017 Cam Guarino (baseball)

2016 George Gilbert (lacrosse)

2015 Bryce Kuhn (lacrosse)

2014 Brendan McCarthy (tennis)

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2013 Thomas Fortier (baseball)

2012 Thomas Fortier (baseball)

2011 Matt MacDowell (baseball)

2010 Dan Hanley (lacrosse)

2009 Tommy Winger (track)

2008 Ethan Shaw (track)

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2007 Ethan Shaw (track)

2006 Chris Morrison (tennis)

2005 Antonio Floridino (track)

2004 Aaron Paradis (baseball)

2003 Antonio Floridino (track)

2002 Matt Dissell (track)

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Female:

CHELSEY SMITHWICK- Senior-Lacrosse

* SMAA all-star, second-team

* SMAA All-Academic

* Captain

Smithwick was the only senior on a promising team this spring and her leadership, along with her ability to score clutch goals, led the Yachtsmen to a place they had never gone before.

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Smithwick started playing lacrosse at a young age, following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Samantha and Sabrina.

“I watched my sisters play (for Falmouth) and I was amazed by those teams,” Smithwick said.

Smithwick joined the Falmouth varsity as a freshman and played a strong supporting role for teams that lost in the regional final each of her first three seasons.

Enter the 2018 campaign, Smithwick was aware she would be the Yachtsmen’s lone senior and as a leader, she made a point of seeking out new coach Ashley Pullen to set an early tone.

“I developed a great relationship with Ashley,” Smithwick said. “Kayla (Sarazin) and Caitlyn (Camelio) were great leaders too and really helped me out. Natalie (Birkel) ran the defense and Christina (Oakes) stepped up too.”

Smithwick scored 21 goals (on just 34 shot attempts) from her attack position. She also had three assists. Highlights included scoring the first goal of the season in a win over Biddeford, a season-high six goals in a win over Cheverus, three goals, including the decisive tally, in a come-from-behind win over Waynflete and the first goal in a regular season-ending victory over Thornton Academy.

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Smithwick added one final goal in Falmouth’s upset win over defending champion Massabesic in the state final as the Yachtsmen reached the pinnacle at last.

“Words can’t describe it,” Smithwick said. “I’m so proud of this team. We got the Sportsmanship Award and won states. It’s pretty special.”

In addition to playing with the Maineiax travel program, Smithwick also ran cross country at Falmouth and was a member of the school’s Executive Board, Big Buddies, Service Club, National Honor Society and volunteered at Maine Medical Center. She will attend the University of Maryland in the fall, where she plans to study medicine.

Chelsey Smithwick, Falmouth’s Spring Female Athlete of the Year, was a coach’s dream and had the kind of senior season that dreams are made of. Her role in the Yachtsmen’s first ever championship run will long be remembered.

Coach Ashley Pullen’s comment: “Chelsey has years of experience with Falmouth lacrosse and the girls really looked at her as the leader. She sets the tone. She’s out there being my voice. Chelsey has been a leader since before the season even began. She’s worked behind the scenes about making sure we do the little things right. She has a commanding presence. I could count on her to keep people focused and on task.”

Previous winners:

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2017 Devon Sarazin (lacrosse)

2016 Julia Brogan (tennis)

2015 Olivia Leavitt (tennis)

2014 Olivia Leavitt (tennis)

2013 Olivia Leavitt (tennis)

2012 Jenna Serunian (track)

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2011 Kelsey Freedman (softball)

2010 Analise Kump (tennis)

2009 Annie Criscione (tennis)

2008 Hallsey Leighton (tennis)

2007 Carly Applebaum (track)

2006 Kristen Meahl (tennis)

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2005 Eileen Brandes (softball)

2004 Kristen Meahl (tennis)

2003 Beth Rubenstein (track)

2002 Beth Rubenstein (track)

Portland Press Herald staff writer Glenn Jordan contributed to this story.

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

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Chelsey Smithwick


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