DYLAN KULLMAN, Senior – Hockey

Courtesy NYA Athletics

* All-Holt Conference team
* Travis Roy Award for Perseverance, Achievement and Sportsmanship
* NYA Coach’s Award

Courtesy NYA Athletics.

Kullman’s story is one of trust and triumph.

Kullman didn’t appear to be on track for hockey stardom early in his NYA career, but by his senior season, he was sensational.

Kullman was just 5-foot-5, 115 pounds when he arrived as a freshman and his first two seasons saw him play junior varsity, with the exception of one varsity game, where he scored a goal. By junior year, however, Kullman, after switching from forward to defense, became a varsity regular, playing in 34 games, scoring four goals and adding 17 assists.

Kullman was so good as a defenseman this season that he was honored as one of the finest players in the league. He scored twice and had 22 assists in 32 contests. Kullman spent more time on the ice than any Panther and his team was better for his constant presence.

Kullman also plays baseball for the NYA/Waynflete co-op team, a consistent contender in Class C South.

Hockey is the sport that Dylan Kullman, NYA’s Winter Athlete of the Year, will ultimately be remembered. He committed himself to doing whatever it took to be his best and his best was simply breathtaking.

Coach Michael Warde’s comment: “DK’s four years here have not been easy on and off the ice. He could have left NYA many times for an easier path to his high school diploma and more playing time, but he and his parents have recognized the value of our education in the classroom and on the ice and we are thankful they believed in us and trusted the education and hockey process at NYA.”

Previous winners:

• 2023-24 Nate Oney (basketball)
* 2022-23 Daxton St. Hilaire (hockey)
* 2021-22 Logan Welch (basketball)
* 2020-21 Chris Hamblett (basketball)
• 2019-20 Te’Andre King (basketball)
• 2018-19 Te’Andre King (basketball)
• 2017-18 Brent Rickett (hockey)
• 2016-17 Jake Malcom (basketball)
• 2015-16 Bobby Murray (hockey)
• 2014-15 Brad Potter (hockey)
• 2013-14 Michael McIntosh (track)
• 2012-13 T.J. Daigler (hockey)
• 2011-12 Asad Dahia (basketball)
• 2010-11 Ian Moore (skiing)
• 2009-10 Henry Sterling (track)
• 2008-09 Henry Sterling (track)
• 2007-08 Ian Nichols (swimming)
• 2006-07 Chris Engel (swimming)
• 2005-06 Rob Carpenter (track)
• 2004-05 Tim DeLuca (basketball)
• 2003-04 Dan Bartlett (hockey)
• 2002-03 Steve Lawrence (hockey)
• 2001-02 Matt Smith (hockey)

ELLA GIGUERE, Senior – Basketball

Daryn Slover / Sun Journal

• WMC Class C/D all-star, first-team
• WMC Class C/D All-Defensive team
• WMC Senior All-Star
* Captain

Courtesy NYA Athletics.

If the opposition wasn’t aware of where Giguere was at all times this winter, they paid dearly for their inattention.

If they didn’t take care of the ball, Giguere would steal it and go in for an easy layup and if they didn’t watch her closely enough when NYA had possession, Giguere would find an open teammate or get to the basket.

Giguere, a three-sport star, had a fantastic senior campaign, one which saw her post some very impressive statistics.

Giguere, who has won state titles in soccer and softball, began playing a major role on the basketball team as a sophomore and was a second-team league all-star as a junior.

This winter, she was a premier player, doing a little of everything to keep the Panthers competitive, leading the Western Maine Conference in assists (5.2 per game) and steals (6.2), placing third in scoring (15.6), eighth in rebounding (7.6) and tying for seventh in made 3-point shots (25).

Highlights included 15 points in a loss to Madison, 16 points in a narrow setback to Dirigo, 19 in a loss to Winthrop, 26 in a win over Sacopee Valley, 19 in a victory over Old Orchard Beach, 17 in a win over Lisbon, 18 in a victory over St. Dom’s and a whopping 28 points in a second win over Old Orchard Beach.

NYA hosted Dirigo in the Class C South preliminary round and Giguere did all she could to help her team advance, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, six steals and three assists, but the Panthers fell three points short.

Ella Giguere, NYA’s Winter Athlete of the Year, has a will to win that is second to none and a penchant for coming up biggest when the stakes are their highest. She will be very tough to replace.

Coach Lynne Hasson’s comment: “Ella had an outstanding season. She was a tremendous leader and teammate. She led by example and she led by her play. She was without a doubt one of the best players in our league. She was steady and consistent all year. She was our go-to player and whenever we needed a score or a steal or a rebound, she came up with it. She played tremendous defense and was often guarding the best player on the other team. Although her basketball skills were outstanding, including her ability to shoot the perimeter shot, handle the ball, get to the rim and finish and play tremendous pressure defense, the best thing about Ella was her heart and competitive fire. She played to win and played with great intensity. She gave 100 percent every time she stepped between the lines. She is a competitor and an outstanding player and leader. She was incredibly fun to coach and will be greatly missed.”

Previous winners:

• 2023-24 Graca Bila (basketball)
* 2022-23 Angel Huntsman (basketball)
* 2021-22 Angel Huntsman (basketball)
* 2020-21 Angel Huntsman (basketball)
• 2019-20 Lauren Powers (hockey)
• 2018-19 Catherine Reid (basketball)
• 2017-18 Maggie Larson (basketball)
• 2016-17 Isabelle See (track)
• 2015-16 Sonia Lin (swimming)
• 2014-15 Alex Barnes (hockey)
• 2013-14 Sonia Lin (swimming)
• 2012-13 Sonia Lin (swimming)
• 2011-12 Morgan Scully (basketball)
• 2010-11 Blair Haggett (basketball)
• 2009-10 Emily McKinnon (swimming)
• 2008-09 Courtney Dumont (hockey)
• 2007-08 Courtney Dumont (hockey)
• 2006-07 Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)
• 2005-06 Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)
• 2004-05 Kathryn Engel (swimming)
• 2003-04 Teddy Fortin (hockey)
• 2002-03 Bobbi Dennison (basketball)
• 2001-02 Ashley Spicer (basketball)

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