Joey Ansel-Mullen. Contributed photo.

MALE:

JOEY ANSEL-MULLEN, Senior-Soccer

• Class C South regional all-star
• Captain

While Waynflete’s extremely talented boys’ soccer team wasn’t given the opportunity to win another championship this fall, Ansel-Mullen and his teammates enjoyed another glorious campaign, beating every team on the schedule, including multiple Class A foes from the city of Portland. Ansel-Mullen was again in the middle of the Flyers’ unstoppable attack and scored some memorable goals.

Ansel-Mullen, who also plays basketball and lacrosse for Waynflete, spent three seasons playing soccer for the Flyers and was impactful from start to finish.

Ansel-Mullen was part of a championship team as a sophomore, scoring eight goals and adding six assists. As a junior, he was named Waynflete’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year after scoring 13 goals and assisting on 12 others.

This season, in just 10 games, all victories, Ansel-Mullen scored 13 more goals and had 11 assists, giving him 34 goals and 29 assists for his high school career.

Highlights this season included scoring the first two goals of the season and assisting on another in a win over North Yarmouth Academy, two goals in a victory over Gray-New Gloucester, a goal (on a penalty kick) and an assist in a shutout win over Cheverus, two goals in a second victory over NYA, two goals and an assist in a second win over Cheverus (Waynflete also defeated Class A foes Deering and Portland), a goal apiece in victories over Sacopee Valley and Greely and one more goal and one more assist in a season-ending win over Freeport.

Ansel-Mullen has demonstrated he can excel against the top players in the state and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him playing at the next level (he’s still in the decision-making process).

What is a certainty is that Joey Ansel-Mullen, Waynflete’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, will go down as one of the most successful players in program history. One who led the Flyers to unmatched heights.

Coach Brandon Salway’s comment: “Joey is one of the most intelligent players I’ve coached. This team was very intelligent, but Joey was like having a coach on the field. He improved each season and was a tremendous leader for us. Combine that with his production as a player, his statistics and effort over his three-year career, he is truly elite and I’m happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves. Joey embodies all the characteristics and abilities we are looking for in a player. He’s a great ambassador for Waynflete and the game.”

Joey Ansel-Mullen. File photo.

Prior winners:

2019 Joey Ansel-Mullen (soccer)

2018 Luca Antolini (soccer)

2017 Henry Spritz (cross country)

2016 Ilyas Abdi (soccer)

2015 Milo Belleau (soccer)

2014 Harry Baker-Connick (soccer)

2013 Henry Cleaves (soccer)

2012 Peabo Knoth (soccer)

2011 Daniel Weiner (soccer)

2010 Tucker Geoffroy (soccer)

2009 Chris Gillespie (soccer)

2008 Josh Bloom (soccer)

2007 Tristan Corriveau (soccer)

2006 Tristan Corriveau (soccer)

2005 Dan Black (soccer)

2004 Matt Lacasse (soccer)

Semma Twining. Contributed photo.

FEMALE:

SEMMA TWINING, Senior-Cross country

Twining took up cross country for the first time this season and made an immediate splash, becoming Waynflete’s fastest runner, helping the Flyers qualify for states in the process.

Twining, an accomplished dancer who is an apprentice with the Maine State Ballet, hadn’t competed in sports at Waynflete, but she was a natural on the course, placing third in her debut with a time of 23 minutes, 8 seconds. Twining then came in first at Poland, lowering her time to 22:13.

“Semma used her strength gained from years of dance and her natural running form to showcase continued improvement each week,” said Waynflete coach Steve Withers. “She was successful this year because of her drive, solid form and patience. Semma worked hard because she enjoyed running and valued the relationships that she created with her teammates. She was self-motivated and challenged herself in the daily workouts, taking advantage of opportunities to improve.”

At the Western Maine Conference state qualifier, Twining finished fourth in 21:55, qualified for states and earned first-team All-Conference in the process.

Semma Twining, Waynflete’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, was masterful in her one and only cross country season, putting forth an inspirational performance from start to finish.

Coach Steve Withers’ comment: “What strikes me most about Semma is her humble, unassuming nature. She is high-powered intellectually and talented athletically, yet possesses a fierce drive and carries herself with utmost humility. She valiantly joined cross country as a senior, having never competed before, and quickly climbed the ranks to be our number one runner. Semma’s patience as a developing runner was apparent in her enthusiasm in accepting and digesting feedback. She started the season focusing on consistency in her races, then transitioned into more of a focus on speed and culminated her season planning race strategies that were course-specific. Her willingness to receive feedback and modify her approach was rewarding to be a part of, as her progression over the last few months was remarkable. She was the epitome of a supportive teammate, as she valued the accomplishments and improvements of others over her own. She instilled confidence in others that if they worked hard, trusted the plan and were open to feedback, that they, too, could make significant strides as an athlete. Her drive, humility and love for the team will be missed dearly.”

Semma Twining. File photo.

Prior winners:

2019 Kilee Sherry (soccer)

2018 Anna Wildes (cross country)

2017 Ava Farrar (soccer)

2016 Isabel Canning (soccer)

2015 Arianna Giguere (soccer)

2014 Julianna Harwood (soccer)

2013 Leigh Fernandez (soccer)

2012 Jo Moore (field hockey)

2011 Becky Smith (soccer)

2010 Lindsey Sinicki (field hockey)

2009 Amy Allen (cross country)

2008 Adele Espy (cross country)

2007 Adele Espy (cross country)

2006 Alex Woodhouse (soccer)

2005 Tess Crain (cross country)

2004 Anina Hewey (soccer)

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

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