Cape Elizabeth Capers Spring Athletes of the Year

NATE PATTERSON, Senior – Lacrosse

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• All-American
• WMC Class A/B all-star, first-team
• Captain

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Patterson wasn’t just one of the state’s elite defensemen, he was pretty dangerous on the offensive side of the ball too and when you throw in his ability to force turnovers and scoop up ground balls, you could make the argument that there was no better all-around boys’ player this season.

Patterson was a three-sport star in high school, playing soccer in the fall, helping the Capers to their first boys’ hockey title in 17 seasons this past winter and absolutely dominating in lacrosse.

After missing out on his freshman campaign, Patterson made an impact on an undefeated, championship squad his sophomore spring, earning second-team all-star mention. As a junior, he helped Capers win Class A again and was named a first-team all-star.

This spring, Patterson locked it down on defense, forcing an abundance of turnovers and collecting 112 ground balls. Whenever he got the opportunity, he’d race into the offensive zone as well and he wound up scoring 16 goals (including one in a state game victory over South Portland), while assisting on four others.

Patterson won state titles in each of his three high school lacrosse seasons.

“It’s great to end on this note and prove to everyone watching how strong we are,” Patterson said. “Leaving the program better than we found it is always the goal and I think we did that successfully. I’m proud about that.”

Patterson will play lacrosse next year at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where he’ll join former Cape Elizabeth teammates Killian Lathrop and Tiernan Lathrop.

Coach Ben Raymond’s comment: “Nate was an outstanding two-way player for us this season and was one of our most important players. His ability in transition is unmatched by any other player in the state. He’s able to clear the ball effectively with little support, but when doubles come, he easily passes out of them, creating transition opportunities for his teammates. His athleticism is easy to see, but what is even more amazing is his vision and game sense, especially for a seasonal player. He not only creates opportunities for himself and his teammates, but he also instills confidence in those around him and raises the level of play for everyone on game day. He is an amazing player and an even better teammate and competitor.”

Previous winners:

• 2022 Tiernan Lathrop (lacrosse)
* 2021 Archie McEvoy (lacrosse)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Max Patterson (lacrosse)
• 2018 Brendan Tinsman (baseball)
• 2017 Connor Thoreck and Owen Thoreck (lacrosse)
• 2016 R.J. Sarka (lacrosse)
• 2015 Griffin Thoreck (lacrosse)
• 2014 Tom Feenstra (lacrosse)
• 2013 Adam Haversat (lacrosse)
• 2012 Will LeBlond (baseball)
• 2011 Cam Brown (baseball)
• 2010 Ben Brewster (lacrosse)
• 2009 Andrew Guay (baseball)
• 2008 Zach Belden (lacrosse)
• 2007 Pat Murphy (baseball)
• 2006 Evan Bagley (lacrosse)
• 2005 Brett Brown (lacrosse)
• 2004 Garret Currier (tennis)
• 2003 Alex Weaver (lacrosse)
• 2002 Mike DiFusco (lacrosse)

GRACE GRAY, Senior – Track

Courtesy Cape Elizabeth High School

• WMC All-Academic team

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Gray was perhaps best known in high school for her brilliance as a field hockey player, but she was pretty special on the track too and closed her high school career in style this spring.

Gray, who was also Cape Elizabeth’s Fall Athlete of the Year, missed out on her freshman season of track due to the pandemic, then was part of a state champion 4×100 relay team as a sophomore and placed fifth in the 100 and seventh in the 200 as a junior.

This season, she was one of the state’s elite sprinters. At the Western Maine Conference championships, Gray finished third in the 200 (27.65 seconds). At the Class B state meet, Gray was runner-up to Yarmouth’s Abby Noble in the 200 (27.44) and came in third in the 100 (13.25).

Gray will attend Bates College next year.

Coach Doug Worthley’s comment: “Grace has been an all-around great athlete, but more than that, a great team leader. She leads by example and works hard every practice. While some athletes give 100 percent sometimes, she gives it all the time. She is a constant competitor, not just with other athletes, but with herself. One can see her dig down in the 200 and put on that extra boost at the last 30 meters to pull ahead or constantly working to improve her starts. She will be missed, but I am sure Bates will be happy to have her.”

Previous winners:

• 2022 Tori Hews (track)
* 2021 Anna Cornell (softball)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Karli Chapin (lacrosse)
• 2018 Darcy Cochran (track)
• 2017 Jessie Robicheaw (softball)
• 2016 Liv Clifford (tennis)
• 2015 Kate Bosworth (lacrosse)
• 2014 Abby McInerney (lacrosse)
• 2013 Lauren Steidl (lacrosse)
• 2012 Lauren Steidl (lacrosse)
• 2011 Elin Sonesson (lacrosse)
• 2010 Gabe Donahue (softball)
• 2009 Colleen Martin (softball)
• 2008 Trish Thibodeau (softball)
• 2007 Maureen Kertes (softball)
• 2006 Clare Egan (track)
• 2005 Elise Moody-Roberts (track)
• 2004 Dana Riker (track)
• 2003 Leslie Harrison (track)
• 2002 Anna Lombard (lacrosse)