Aleah Murph

Alec Troxell

MALE:

ALEC TROXELL, Senior-Cross country

  • SMAA all-star, first-team

  • SMAA All-Academic team

  • SMAA Runner of the Year
  • Captain

Troxell just got better and better as his high school career progressed and he graduates as one of the finest runners the Deering program has produced.

Troxell started running in middle school and soon found his niche.

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“Running was something I could do,” Troxell said. “I started to get better at it freshman year. It took determination and training hard and a lot of help from Coach (Frank) Myatt.”

Troxell finished 30th at the Class A state meet as a freshman, moved up to 18th as a sophomore, qualifying for New Englands in the process, and as a junior, he placed sixth on the big stage and again made it to New Englands.

This fall, Troxell opened the season with a first-place finish in a five-team meet at Cheverus and closed it with a victory in the city championship meet. In the regional meet, Troxell came in first with a time of 16 minutes, 51.63 seconds and at the Class A state meet, he lowered his time to 16:08.80 and placed sixth individually. Troxell then became just the second Deering runner (Ken Flanders, 1967-69) to qualify for New Englands three straight years. He capped his high school career there with a 55th-place finish (16:57.20).

“I love the running community,” said Troxell, who was named the SMAA Runner of the Year. “It’s fun knowing people from other schools. My family motivates me and believes in me.”

Troxell, who also runs the 800, mile and two-mile in indoor and outdoor track, belongs to Deering’s World Language Club and hopes to run in college. He’s currently weighing his options.

He figures to make an impression at the next level as well. Alec Troxell, Deering’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, is committed to his craft and the results have been impressive and plain to see.

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Coach Frank Myatt’s comment: “No list of adjectives can describe Alec’s impact on our program. Entering his freshman season, Alec was overshadowed by other runners with more natural talent, but he dedicated himself, became a student of the sport and rose to the top. In addition to being the most successful Deering cross country runner since the 1970s, Alec leads his team in voice and action, spreading his deep enthusiasm for the sport to his teammates.”

Prior winners:

2017 Alex McGonagle (golf)

2016 Yahya Nure (cross country)

2015 Max Chabot (football)

2014 Stephen Ochan (soccer)

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2013 Will Barlock (golf)

2012 Kenny Sweet (football)

2011 Joe Walp (golf)

2010 Jamie Ross (football)

2009 Charlie Dupee (soccer)

2008 Jack Heary (football)

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2007 Tony Yeboah (soccer)

2006 John Misener (cross country)

2005 Sean Meehan (soccer/football)

2004 Ryan Flaherty (football)

FEMALE:

ALEAH MURPH, Junior-Field hockey

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  • SMAA all-star, first-team

Murph’s strong play all over the field helped Deering’s field hockey team overcome a slow start this season and make a late push for a playoff berth.

Murph came from North Carolina to Portland for middle school, started playing field hockey in the seventh grade and quickly took to it.

“My parents made me choose a sport and I picked field hockey because it looked interesting,” Murph said. “I love the adrenaline and the people I play with.”

Murph made the varsity team as a freshman, but in her first two seasons, the Rams won a total of three games. When this year’s squad started 0-6, another frustrating campaign appeared in store, but Deering turned it around, went 6-2 down the stretch and earned a surprising playoff berth. The Rams needed to beat Kennebunk in the finale to qualify and Murph’s penalty stroke broke a tie and sparked Deering to a 4-2 victory. The Rams then lost to Marshwood in the preliminary round.

“I’m very happy with our season,” said Murph. “We worked a lot on the basics last year and this year, we implemented them on the field. I knew we had playoff potential.”

Murph also plays lacrosse at Deering, is a member of student senate and plays for the Maine Styx travel field hockey program. She hopes to play field hockey in college.

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First, she’ll be a top returner as a senior for a team expecting to keep the good times rolling. Aleah Murph, Deering’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, has many more clutch moments ahead of her on the field.

Coach Amethyst Hersom’s comment: “Aleah was a huge part of the success of our season this year. Her natural ability to move the ball, make plays happen and dominate in the backfield makes her an exceptional nominee for this award. In high pressure situations, she was the player I looked to, whether that meant putting the ball in the net on key stroke opportunities, or breaking up any offensive threat we encountered in our defensive circle. She has such natural talent, strength and intelligence for a young player. She will only continue to improve and will remain a force for the our program.”

Prior winners:

2017 Maddy Broda (volleyball)

2016 Kaylee Helmick (volleyball)

2015 Simone Lauture (soccer)

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2014 Rylie Turner (field hockey)

2013 Alexis Elowitch (soccer)

2012 Alexis Elowitch (soccer)

2011 Alexis Sivovlos (soccer)

2010 Amanda Masse (soccer)

2009 Jami LeRoy (field hockey)

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2008 Jess Ruhlin (field hockey)

2007 Jess Ruhlin (field hockey)

2006 Chelsea Johnson (soccer)

2005 Ashley Morgan (cross country)

2004 Bronwyn Potthoff (field hockey)

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

Troxell

Murph


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