All winter sports and its athletes were honored by the Athletics Department and Coaches on Tuesday, March 4

By Bella McCall & Eliza Allen, Sports Writers

SANFORD, Maine — With the Winter Sports season concluded, Sanford Athletics and the Spartan Times want to recognize the hard work of all the participating athletes. This article recaps the Winter Sports seasons, including post-season events and the end-of-season awards.

All of Sanford’s varsity teams earned a playoff game or had qualifying athletes for post-season meets and matches. The awards below include both team and SMAA Conference awards that are decided on by the league. All teams had athletes from JV or Varsity on the All Academic Team.

CHEER

The team placed fifth at their regional meet. This performance qualified them for States, where they placed eighth. 

Team Awards:

• Most Improved: Lillian McGrath 
• Coach’s Award: Isabella Tounge
• Most Valuable: Madison Osbourne
• Most Dedicated: Natalie Lam

SMAA Recognition: 

• SMAA First Team: Natalie Lam, Taylor Coffey and Mariah Provencher
• SMAA Honorable Mention: Madison Osbourne and Isabella Tounge
• All Academic: Natalie Lam, Alexis Hayward and Isabella Tounge

Basketball: boys

The boy’s basketball team record this season was 6-13. The boys earned a playoff game versus Bonny Eagle, where they fell short, despite an exciting game and an engaged crowd.

“One of the most memorable moments from this season was our playoff game at Bonny Eagle,” said Coach Mills. “The atmosphere was electric, and it was an incredible experience to be a part of. We fought until the very end, determined to win, but ultimately came up short. In the locker room afterward, the emotions were raw and genuine. We all cared deeply about each other and the journey we had been on since November. While the season didn’t end the way we had hoped, the bonds and relationships we built will last far beyond a single game or season.”

Team Awards

• Most Improved: Carter Giroux and Joshua Callahan
• Spartan Award: Brady Adams
• Most Valuable: Dylan Gendron

SMAA Recognition:

• SMAA AA South First Team: Dylan Gendron
• SMAA AA South Rookie of the Year: Luke Gendron
• SMAA AA South Honorable Mention: Brady Adams
• SMAA AA South All Rookie Team: Luke Gendron
• All Academic: Brady Adams, Bryce Adams, Ryan Alexander, Luke Gendron, Gavin Hebler, Max Olivio, Colin Besion, Jackson Stimmell and Kiptyn Whitten

“This season presented its challenges, but it was also filled with valuable learning experiences for both the players and me,” Coach Mills said. “It’s easy to focus solely on wins and losses, but high school sports are about so much more than that. Looking back, every player improved—not just in basketball but in the social skills and teamwork that will benefit them in life beyond the court. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together as a team.”

Basketball: Girls

The girl’s basketball team finished with an impressive record of 14-6 this season. They earned a home playoff game, beating Massabesic. They then played at the Cross Insurance Arena, but unfortunately fell short to Gorham.

The team saw a lot of excellent performances this season, most notably from Mollie Puffer, Paige Sevigny, and Ava Hudson. Four players earned all conference awards and 10 out of 12 varsity players earned All-Academic honors.

Team Awards:

• Spartan Role Player: Kya Duprey
• Coach’s Award: Paige Sevigny
• Most Valuable: Mollie Puffer

SMAA Recognition:

• McDonald’s Senior All-Star: Sadie Sevigny
• SMAA Rookie of the Year: Mollie Puffer
• SMAA AA South Rookie of the Year: Mollie Puffer
• SMAA AA South First Team: Paige Sevigny and Mollie Puffer
• SMAA AA South All Defensive Team: Annie Stimmell
• SMAA AA South Honorable Mention: Ava Hudson
• All Academic: Adeline Fiandaca, Lyla Fiandaca, Ava Hudson, Jaslinn Johnson, Zoey McCann, Mollie Puffer, Sadie Sevigny, Paige Sevigny, Annalise Stimmell and Ella Tederous, Laila Della Croce, Gwen Fogarty, Eliane Hebo and Linda Rose-Krol

“This group is determined to regroup and get to a regional final,” said Coach Kearson. “So be on the lookout for the Spartan Girls Basketball Team.”

INDOOR TRACK

The Indoor Track team saw tremendous growth in its numbers this season, compiling a team of 44 participants. In the team’s two postseason meets, Southwestern’s and State’s, many Spartans found success:

Southwestern placers:

• Mattea Peters: 1st in the JR 400m
• Bella McCall: 5th in the SR 800m
• Georgia Whitman: 8th in the SR Shot Put
• Lily Peters, Tiffany Souliere, Mattea Peters, Bella McCall: 6th in the Girls’ Sprint Medley Relay
• Isaac Pelletier: 4th in the 800m and 3rd High Jump
• Ethan Davie: 8th in JR Shot Put
• Logan Glidden: 4th in the SR Triple Jump, 

State Meet Placers (no Jr/Sr divisions):

• Mattea Peters:  4th in 400m (qualifying for New Englands)
• Logan Glidden: 6th in the Triple jump

Team Awards:

• Most Improved: Eliza Allen, Ethan Davie
• Coach’s Award: Isabella McCall, Matthew Melvin
• Most Outstanding: Lily Peters, Logan Glidden
• MVP: Mattea Peters, Isaac Pelletier

SMAA Recognition:

• SMAA First Team Junior 400m: Mattea Peters
• All Academic: Eliza Allen, Elizabeth Cahoon, Logan Legere, Lukas MacLean, Michael Mastraccio, Isabella McCall, Caleb Pelletier, Lily Peters and Emersyn Whitlock

SWIM

Given Sanford does not have an official swim team, interested athletes compete with Massabesic.

Southwesterns:

• Claire Pordon: 5th in 200 Free
• 100 Butterfly- Claire Pordon 3rd in 100 Butterfly
• Claire Pordon and Caity Symbzor: part of the 2nd place 400 Free Relay

States:

• Claire Pordon: 4th in 100m Butterfly

WRESTLING

Sanford Wrestling achieved an impressive record of 21-7. They qualified for Dual States but fell short of winning in the quarterfinal. The team placed third in the region and fifth in the state despite numerous injuries. 

Some major milestones for athletes this season included James Chaplick’s and Canton Hill’s 150th win, Richie Simpson’s 100th win and Canton Hill achieving the most pins in school history. Individual qualifiers for the upcoming New England’s meet are James Chaplick, Canton Hill and Cassidy Kenyon. 

Team Awards: 

• Coach’s Award: Isaiah Phillips
• Most Valuable: James Chaplick and Canton Hill
• Most Improved: Alden Treadwell

SMAA Recognition:

• All Conference First Teams: James Allen-Chaplick, Cassidy Kenyon
• All Academic: Brianna Burby, Canton Hill, Conner Pickering, Quang Lam and Jack Van Gieson