By Michael Hoffer
(Ed. Note: The boys’ and girls’ basketball season was recapped in last week’s edition).
There were ample highlights for winter sports fans, whatever your pleasure, in 2008-09.
On the ice, local teams had solid seasons across the board, as the Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and South Portland boys all made the playoffs and the Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough girls did the same in their first year of MPA-sanctioned competition.
On the track, Scarborough continued its dominance, adding a boys’ crown to another girls’ titlist.
In the pool, Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ team’s victory was the biggest highlight, but several other area swimmers and divers impressed as well.
The snow and mat also produced stellar showings from several local athletes.

PLEASE BOX AND RUN WITH STORY
WINTER 2008-09 STATE CHAMPIONS
CAPE ELIZABETH GIRLS’ SWIMMING, CLASS A
SCARBOROUGH BOYS’ INDOOR TRACK, CLASS A
SCARBOROUGH GIRLS’ INDOOR TRACK, CLASS A
WINTER 2008-09 REGIONAL CHAMPION
CAPE ELIZABETH BOYS’ BASKETBALL, WESTERN CLASS B
WINTER 2008-09 INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS
INDOOR TRACK
EMMA HOCKMUTH, CAPE ELIZABETH, GIRLS’ POLE VAULT, CLASS B
RACHEL NICHOLS, CAPE ELIZABETH, GIRLS’ 800, CLASS B
MARITA STRESSENGER, CAPE ELIZABETH, GIRLS’ MILE, CLASS B
SAM CHICK, SCARBOROUGH, BOYS’ 800, CLASS A
BRAD NAKANISHI, SCARBOROUGH, BOYS’ POLE VAULT, CLASS A
LAUREN BLAISDELL, SCARBOROUGH, GIRLS’ LONG JUMP, CLASS A
WHITNEY CHAMBERLAIN, SCARBOROUGH, GIRLS’ 800, CLASS A
CATIE FUNK, SCARBOROUGH, GIRLS’ SHOT PUT, CLASS A
SWIMMING
NORA DALY, CAPE ELIZABETH, GIRLS’ 200 FREESTYLE, CLASS A
NORA DALY, CAPE ELIZABETH, GIRLS’ 500 FREE, CLASS A
ROSIE WENNBERG, CAPE ELIZABETH, GIRLS’ 50 FREE, CLASS A
ROSIE WENNBERG, CAPE ELIZABETH, GIRLS’ 100 FREE, CLASS A
NORDIC SKIING
EMILY ATTWOOD, CAPE ELIZABETH, CLASSIC, CLASS B
EMILY ATTWOOD, CAPE ELIZABETH, FREESTYLE, CLASS B
WRESTLING
NATE LAVALLEE, CAPE ELIZABETH, 285-POUNDS, CLASS A

SEPARATE SUBHEAD–MICHAEL’S TOP FIVE MOMENTS/STORIES
5. Lavallee has no peer
Cape Elizabeth doesn’t have a wrestling team, but the Capers do have a state champion. Senior Nate Lavallee, best known for his prowess on the gridiron, steamrolled the competition en route to the 285-pound Class A title, pinning Cony’s Shawn White in just 56 seconds to wrap things up. His imminent graduation won’t be met by too many tears from his opponents.
4. Girls’ hockey teams reach playoffs
In the first year that girls’ hockey has been sanctioned by the Maine Principals’ Association, both Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough enjoyed their share of triumph. The Red Storm, coming off an undefeated state championship season, won 12 games this year, then knocked off the Capers (who’d won nine) in the quarterfinals. Their run ended with a loss to Cheverus in the semis, but it’s clear that the two local teams and the sport have a bright future.
3. Boys’ hockey squads enjoy strong campaigns
The boys’ hockey story was just as promising. South Portland enjoyed arguably its finest season ever and earned the program’s just second-ever playoff win before losing to powerhouse Falmouth in the Western A quarterfinals. Scarborough was in the mix with the top teams all year until running into eventual state finalist St. Dom’s in a quarterfinal round loss. In Class B, Cape Elizabeth was able to meet every challenge save one, eventual state champion Greely, which beat the Capers twice in the regular season, then erased a 3-1 second period deficit in the regional final with five unanswered goals, which ended Cape Elizabeth’s season.
2. Cape Elizabeth girls swimmers return to glory
Entering this winter, Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ swim team hadn’t won a state title in five long seasons, but that all changed thanks to standout team effort. While stars like Nora Daly and Rosie Wennberg stole the headlines, the Capers’ depth and ability to cover the events proved to be their biggest asset as they won both the prestigious Southwestern championship and the Class A title, their 15th since 1973.
1. Scarborough boys join girls, win first Class A track crown
While Scarborough’s seemingly unstoppable girls’ track juggernaut was rolling to a fifth-successive Class A crown last month, the Red Storm boys were right there as well. Scarborough, in a mild surprise, tallied 56 points to beat Brunswick by eight. Sam Chick (800) and Brad Nakanishi (pole vault) were individual event winners. Several other athletes had key contributions as well as Scarborough announced once and for all that it was Track Titletown until further notice.

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

 

Scarborough’s Jenna Van Dam was part of a record-setting 800 relay team as the Red Storm won their fifth straight Class A title back in February. (File photos)
Senior Sean Eubanks was close to unstoppable at times for the Cape Elizabeth boys’ hockey team, which advanced to the regional final earlier this month.
South Portland, featuring distance runner Jon Clement, had a solid campaign in 2009.

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