Cheverus Stags Fall Athletes of the Year

MALE:

DONALD GOODRICH, Senior-Football

Fitzpatrick Trophy semifinalist
Dave Allen Award winner (SMAA Player of the Year)
SMAA first-team offense, running back

The most prolific runner and hardest hitter on a record setting, powerhouse team, Goodrich excelled in his final high school season.

Goodrich came to football in middle school and after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons at York, made the move to Cheverus and burst on to the scene last fall by scoring five touchdowns in the state championship game.

This season, Goodrich was the lead back and he sparkled week after week, despite often not playing the whole game due to blowouts. Goodrich finished with 1,722 rushing yards (averaging nearly nine yards per carry) and 22 touchdowns, six receptions, including a pair for TDs, and made 43 tackles, most of the bruising variety.

Goodrich had 206 yards and three TDs versus Portland, 241 yards with four scores at Windham, 198 with three TDs in a highly anticipated showdown at Thornton Academy and gained 247 yards and scored twice in a quarterfinal round playoff victory over Deering. While Cheverus’ two-year title reign and Class A state record 34-game win streak ended with a loss to Thornton Academy in the regional final, it was a memorable campaign indeed by Goodrich and the Stags.

Goodrich, who has also dabbled in soccer, basketball and tae kwon do over the years and is a devotee of lifting and running, hopes to play football in college and has several schools to choose from. He has an interest in history or law.

He certainly laid down the law on the gridiron this season. Donald Goodrich, Cheverus’ Fall Male Athlete of the Year, was a star player on a premier team.

Coach John Wolfgram’s comment: “Donny’s very, very good. He’s really stepped up and made plays. We like to have him on our side. He’s a competitor. He’s quick, he runs hard. He’s got the heart of a lion.”

Prior winners:
2011: Elliot Maker (Soccer)

2010: Peter Gwilym (Football)

2009: Peter Gwilym (Football)

2008: Jack Terwilliger (Cross country)

2007: Galen Munroe (Soccer)

2006: Andrew Pochebit (Football)

2005: Anthony Ardito (Golf)

2004: Max Molleo (Soccer)

FEMALE:

STACI SWALLOW, Senior-Field hockey

Faith Littlefield Award winner (SMAA Player of the Year)
All-State
SMAA All-Star, first-team
SMAA All-Academic team
Cheverus’ Team MVP

A special player on a special team, Swallow’s skill and hard work carried the Stags deep into the playoffs and earned her a multitude of postseason platitudes.

Swallow, who lives in South Portland, started playing field hockey her freshman year. As a sophomore, she was part of a team that made an unexpected run to the state final. Last season, Swallow had six goals and four assists and was named a second-team league all-star.

This fall, her star soared even higher, as Swallow finished with 15 goals and nine assists.

Swallow, a midfielder, set the tone with two goals in a season-opening win over Thornton Academy, scored twice versus Bonny Eagle, three times against Portland and added two goals in the regular season finale, a win at Sanford.

Swallow’s reputation as a player and teammate was reinforced after the season when she was named Cheverus’ MVP, a league all-star, a member of the all-state team and most impressively the winner of the Faith Littlefield Award as the top player in Western Class A.

“I’m very competitive,” Swallow said. “Me and my teammates pushed each other to get better.”

Swallow finished her career with 21 goals and 12 assists.

Swallow also plays ice hockey and softball for the Stags. She hopes to play field hockey in college (she’s currently weighing several schools, including Babson) and will likely study business.

She’ll leave a big void after she departs. Staci Swallow, Cheverus’ Fall Female Athlete of the Year, bowed out with a flourish.

Coach Amy McMullin’s comment: “Staci was really the heart and soul behind our team this year. What makes Staci so successful is her work ethic and competitiveness. You know if there is a big play in a big game, Staci will be in the middle of it. The combination of her intensity, athleticism and passion made her a player to watch. She leads by example and inspires those around her to want to do their best. She truly cares about her teammates and will do anything to help her team win. We asked a lot of her this year. We even put her in a brand new position and never once did she complain. I think I may have subbed her twice this season. She was just too important to us to not have her in the game. Off the field, Staci is a riot. She entertains us and keeps us laughing the whole time. On the field, she doesn’t smile at all. In fact, people probably think she is mean by the way she plays, but that is just the competitor in her. I have truly loved every minute of coaching Staci and I could not be more proud of her.”

Prior winners:

2011: Sarah LaQuerre (Field hockey)

2010: Emily Sawchuck (Field hockey)

2009: Emily Durgin (Cross country)

2008: Bethany Schleh (Field hockey)

2007: Elizabeth Somma (Soccer)

2006: Elise Roux (Soccer)

2005: Meaghan Mingo (Soccer)

2004: Lauren Metevier (Soccer)

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