OWEN PARTRIDGE, Senior – Basketball/Indoor track

Carl D. Walsh / Portland Press Herald

* WMC indoor track all-star, second-team, 400
* WMC basketball Class A/B all-star, third-team
* WMC basketball Class A/B All-Defensive first-team
* WMC basketball Senior All-Star

Courtesy Greely Athletics.

To suggest that Partridge was busy this winter would be an epic understatement.

In fact, not only did Partridge take part in two sports, basketball and indoor track, he had a major impact in both and was honored as an all-star in each following the season.

All Partridge has done is win over the past year. Last spring, he led Greely’s outdoor track team to its first championship in 21 seasons by winning the 400 in a school record time of 49.91 seconds and running the the final legs on both the first-place 4×800 meter relay team and runner-up 4×400 meter relay squad. This past fall, he played a major role as the Rangers’ boys soccer squad ended an 11-year title drought.

That was a mere appetizer for what this winter would produce.

On the hardwood, Partridge was an elite defender, usually assigned to the opposing team’s top scorer and more often than not, Partridge shut that player down, averaging 2.5 deflections and one blocked shot per game. He also led the Rangers in assists with 3 per game (ninth-best in the conference) and steals with 1.5 per contest. Additionally, Partridge grabbed 4 rebounds per game. He and his teammates again made it to the tournament, losing to Fryeburg Academy in the Class A South quarterfinals.

“Owen’s best attribute for us was certainly on the defensive end,” said longtime Greely boys basketball coach Travis Seaver. “Unfortunately, the best stat for Owen is probably not actually explicitly in the stats as his biggest contribution was his overall smothering defense. As a team, our offensive play was inconsistent at times this year, but our defense was not, and Owen was definitely the anchor of our solid defense. I am confident that on most occasions Owen was guarding the other team’s best player and on most nights, he held the other team’s best player below what they were averaging coming into the game, helping us to compete with any team we played.”

In indoor track, Partridge helped Greely capture the Class B state title, as he won the 400 (51.99) and anchored a first-place 4×800 relay team. Partridge went on to compete at the New England championships (he was 14th in the 600 and part of a 10th-place 4×800 relay squad) and at the New Balance Nationals as well (where the Rangers’ relay placed 75th).

Partridge hopes to capture one more title in outdoor track before graduating.

Owen Partridge, Greely’s Winter Athlete of the Year, has been a true multiple-sport standout and this winter’s triumph was his finest hour.

Basketball coach Travis Seaver’s comment: “Owen deserves the recognition for all the work he has put in and success he has had. What Owen was accomplishing on the basketball court on some nights after most likely winning his event on the track earlier in the day is just such an extraordinary accomplishment and testament to Owen’s competitiveness and drive. It was no secret how important Owen was to our success. Quite simply, when Owen was on the floor, we were a better team.  His (plus-minus) rating was almost double anyone else on our team and for him to drive this success mainly on the defensive end is impressive. As important as he was on the stats side and helping us win, he was a terrific leader who led by example and his competitiveness was contagious. As great of an athlete as he is on the soccer field, basketball court and on the track, he is an even better young man.”

Previous winners:

• 2023-24 Jonah Guibord (indoor track)
* 2022-23 Will Klein (hockey)
* 2021-22 Ryan Moore (hockey)
* 2020-21 Leif Harvey (Nordic skiing)
• 2019-20 Andy Moore (hockey)
• 2018-19 Jackson Williams (hockey)
• 2017-18 Zach Brown (basketball)
• 2016-17 Matt McDevitt (basketball)
• 2015-16 Axel Lindsay (Alpine skiing)
• 2014-15 Kyle Kramlich (hockey)
• 2013-14 Jonathan Dunnett (swimming)
• 2012-13 Nick Vogel (wrestling)
• 2011-12 Dan Spencer (swimming)
• 2010-11 Dan Spencer (swimming)
• 2009-10 Mark McCauley (track)
• 2008-09 Kevin Hart (hockey)
• 2007-08 Nathan Mecray (swimming)
• 2006-07 Nathan Mecray (swimming)
• 2005-06 Drew Bowden (hockey)
• 2004-05 Ben Knowles (skiing)
• 2003-04 Kerry Burke (track)
• 2002-03 John Loren (track)
• 2001-02 Tim Apuzzo (basketball)

ROWAN BARRY, Junior – Nordic skiing/Indoor track

Andree Kehn / Sun Journal

• Class B Nordic state champion, classic
* Class B Nordic state champion, freestyle
* Class B Nordic state champion, pursuit
* WMC Nordic ski all-star
* WMC indoor track state champion, 800
* WMC indoor track all-star first-team, 800
* WMC indoor track all-star second-team, mile
* WMC indoor track all-star second-team, two-mile
* WMC Track Senior Division MVP

Courtesy Greely Athletics.

Barry was sensational in two sports, as her ability to run and ski quickly at long distances led to titles and recognition galore.

As a sophomore, Barry led the Greely girls Nordic squad to a championship, placing runner-up in the classic, third in the freestyle and third in the pursuit standings. This winter, Barry had no peer individually, taking the classical (17 minutes, 32 seconds), freestyle (15:58.2) and pursuit titles, helping the Rangers finish second as a team.

In track, Barry won the 800 at the Class B state meet, beating Mt. Desert Island’s Amelia Vandongen, the current record holder in that event, by over a second. Barry also broke Greely’s record in the mile during the course of the season (5:08.19).

Barry also takes part in outdoor track (she scored in the 800, mile and two-mile last June) and the best news of all is that she’s only a junior.

We can only imagine what the future will bring. Rowan Barry, Greely’s Winter Athlete of the Year, excels at everything she takes on and more greatness is sure to await.

Nordic ski coach Emily Cartwright’s comment: “If you see her face just before she starts her race, you will understand why Rowan is successful. Rowan is focused and determined. She is willing to dig deep and endure pain. Another attribute that I applaud her for is being able to pace well and race smartly. I appreciate Rowan’s no-nonsense style and her unwavering commitment to giving her best effort every time she competes.”

Previous winners:

* 2023-24 Sylvia Harvey (Nordic skiing)
* 2022-23 Audrey Cohen (swimming)
* 2021-22 Chelsea Graiver (basketball)
* 2020-21 Camille Clement (basketball)
* 2019-20 Leah Walker (hockey)
* 2018-19 Anna DeWolfe (basketball)
• 2017-18 Courtney Sullivan (hockey)
• 2016-17 Nettie Cunningham (skiing)
• 2015-16 Danita Storey (hockey)
• 2014-15 Ashley Storey (basketball)
• 2013-14 Elyse Dinan (skiing)
• 2012-13 Sarah Easterling (swimming)
• 2011-12 Emma Seymour (hockey)
• 2010-11 Sarah Easterling (swimming)
• 2009-10 Sarah Easterling (swimming)
• 2008-09 Sara Schad (swimming)
• 2007-08 Becky O’Brien (track)
• 2006-07 Dani Cyr (hockey)
• 2005-06 Becky O’Brien (track)
• 2004-05 Rebecca Furey (track)
• 2003-04 Steph Ginn (basketball)
• 2002-03 Abby Chapman (track)
• 2001-02 Mandy Bowden (skiing)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.