2009 FALL FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:

LAUREN FECTEAU, Senior-Cross Country

* SMAA All-Star, honorable mention

* State meet qualifier

Lauren Fecteau faced her share of adversity this fall, but finished in style, perpetuating her team’s legacy of success by qualifying for the Class A state meet as an individual.

It wasn’t easy, but Fecteau persevered and became the best runner she could be. In honor of her performance, The Forecaster is naming Lauren Fecteau as McAuley’s 2009 Fall Female Athlete of the Year.

Fecteau, a Portland resident, was a member of the McAuley cross country team for four seasons. She runs daily year-round and is also involved in indoor and outdoor track.

As a freshman, Fecteau was 18th at the Class A state meet where the Lions were second as a team. She was 40th as a sophomore and did not finish at states in 2008.

This season, Fecteau finished first individually at the second regular season meet, was 10th at the Manchester (N.H.) Invitational, finished runner-up at a meet at Marshwood and placed fifth in the regular-season ending city meet.

At regionals, where the Lions failed to qualify as a team for the first time since 2002, Fecteau made the cut as an individual, but did so in dramatic fashion. After being sick all week, she posted the 19th-best time, but collapsed at the finish line due to dehydration. At states, Fecteau had the 20th-best time, as the curtain came down on her high school cross country career.

Fecteau is also involved with Key Club and the student newspaper. She wants to study journalism and run at the next level and is currently weighing her college options.

Lauren Fecteau, McAuley’s 2009 Fall Female Athlete of the Year, saved her best for last this season and became the latest in a litany of Lions’ runners to shine at the biggest meets.

Coach Tim Donovan’s Comment: “Lauren has always pushed herself and has been self-motivated. She’s always strived to be one of the top runners in the state. She had her ups and downs with injuries and things, but I felt she had a very successful season, running her best time at the state meet. She’s truly matured and was a joy to work with. I think her best running years are still ahead of her. She’ll be tough to replace and will be sorely missed.”

2008 winner: Olivia Mackenzie (Cross country)

2007 winner: Olivia Mackenzie (Cross country)

2006 winner: Mikayla Call (Soccer)

2005 winner: Abby Iselborn (Cross country)

2004 winner: Jill Johnson (Cross country)

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