JASPER CURTIS, Senior – Hockey

File photo

Contributed photo

Curtis wasn’t able to add a hockey state title to his stable of soccer and lacrosse championships, but did he ever enjoy a special season, backstopping his team to its first-ever state final appearance.

Curtis was drawn to goalkeeping at a young age, when he was only four.

“I saw that the goalie at Dartmouth (College) had a Grinch on his helmet and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world,” said Curtis.

Curtis was the goalie for the South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport co-op team as a sophomore, but the season was abbreviated due to COVID. As a junior, he led the squad to the state semifinals, but the season ended with an agonizing double-overtime loss to eventual champion Scarborough.

This winter, Curtis made 384 saves, had a 2.4 goals-against-average and saved 91 percent of the shots he faced and he was at his best when the games mattered most.

Curtis made 29 saves to shut out Fryeburg Academy in the season opener. He also had 24 saves in an overtime loss to Scarborough, 17 saves in a loss to Lewiston and 27 saves in a win over Marshwood.

In the postseason, South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete avenged last year’s setback by blanking Scarborough in the quarterfinals, then, in the semifinals, upset top-ranked Falmouth, ending its 17-game win streak in large part due to 32 Curtis saves. That set the stage for the program’s first-ever state game, which began in near-perfect fashion, with a 2-0 lead over Thornton Academy after one period, but the Golden Trojans came back to win, 5-3, despite Curtis’ 25 saves.

“It was an absolutely incredible run,” said Curtis. “We knew we had it in us. We had it all, we just needed to flip the switch.”

Curtis’ motivation on the ice is simple.

“I just like to get out there and be on a team and I like to win,” Curtis said.

Curtis will look to lead Waynflete’s boys’ lacrosse team to another championship this spring (he plays longstick middie), then hopes to play hockey or lacrosse in college.

Simply put, Jasper Curtis, Waynflete’s Winter Athlete of the Year, knows what it takes to win. He contributions this season were simply invaluable.

Coach Joe Robinson’s comment: “Jasper was the backbone of our team. He started all but three games in the last three years for us. In my opinion when he’s on, he’s the best goalie in the league. Jasper always comes to the rink ready to compete. He’s super competitive and we are going to miss having him between the pipes.”

Previous winners:

• • 2021-22 Henry Hart (basketball)
  * 2020-21 Chris Saade (basketball)
  • 2019-20 Ben Adey (Alpine skiing)
  • 2018-19 Mitchell Adams (hockey)
  • 2017-18 Diraige Dahia (basketball)
  • 2016-17 Willson Moore (Nordic skiing)
  • 2015-16 Milo Belleau (basketball)
  • 2014-15 Milo Belleau (basketball)
  • 2013-14 Serge Nyirikamba (basketball)
  • 2012-13 Serge Nyirikamba (basketball)
  • 2011-12 Luke Jeton (swimming)
  • 2010-11 Joe Veroneau (basketball)
  • 2009-10 Nate Niles (Nordic skiing)
  • 2008-09 Hassan Jeylani (basketball)
  • 2007-08 Tom Reagan (Nordic skiing)
  • 2006-07 Lucas Milliken (Nordic skiing)
  • 2005-06 Lucas Milliken (Nordic skiing)
  • 2004-05 David Wells (swimming)
  • 2003-04 Jeff Bates (Nordic skiing)

LEAH KRAMER, Sophomore – Nordic skiing

Brian Beard contributed photo  

• WMC all-star

Contributed photo

Kramer made great strides this winter and emerged as one of the top skiers in the state.

Kramer, who also runs cross country in the fall and plays lacrosse in the spring, began downhill skiing at a very young age and in middle school, took up Nordic.

She quickly became a top racer for the Flyers this winter and when the postseason arrived, was primed to excel.

Kramer came in fourth in the classic and was 11th in the conference championship meet. Then, at the Class C state meet, she had a time of 22 minutes, 4 seconds in the classic (good for fifth place) and 20:59.4 in the skate (good for seventh) as Waynflete came in third as a team.

“I’m really happy with the season,” said Kramer. “My goal was to improve from last year and I’m really proud of my progress. I learned how to push myself during the cross country season and it translated nicely to Nordic. I have a lot of internal motivation and put it all out there.”

Kramer then qualified for the Eastern High Schools championship team and has high hopes for her final two high school seasons.

“I want to keep improving and do well in the bigger races,” Kramer said.

There’s no stopping her now. Leah Kramer, Waynflete’s Winter Athlete of the Year, has made a big jump up the standings and is primed for even more greatness down the road.

Coach Stephanie Dolan’s comment: “Leah had an awesome season. She was super-committed from the start, even before the snow flew. She is disciplined, motivated and committed to be the best skier possible. She brings that same determination to the classroom as well. We are thrilled that Leah will be a great leader for the team next season.”

Previous winners:

• • 2021-22 Becca Good (hockey)
  * 2020-21 Sarah Morgan (Nordic skiing)
  • 2019-20 Clara Sandberg (Nordic skiing)
  • 2018-19 Clara Sandberg (Nordic skiing)
  • 2017-18 Lydia Giguere (basketball)
  • 2016-17 Annika Brooks (basketball)
  • 2015-16 Kelley Frumer (Alpine skiing)
  • 2014-15 Helen Gray-Bauer (basketball)
  • 2013-14 Colby Harvey (swimming)
  • 2012-13 Martha Veroneau (basketball)
  • 2011-12 Martha Veroneau (basketball)
  • 2010-11 Martha Veroneau (basketball)
  • 2009-10 Morgan Woodhouse (basketball)
  • 2008-09 Annie Cutler (basketball)
  • 2007-08 Margaret Veroneau (basketball
  • 2006-07 Margaret Veroneau (basketball)
  • 2005-06 Margaret Veroneau (basketball)
  • 2004-05 Holly Whitney (Nordic skiing)
  • 2003-04 Betsy Critchfield (Nordic skiing)

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