Male:

JAMES HANNIGAN, Senior-Hockey

  • All-state, first-team

  • Senior all-star

  • Captain

Hannigan took to hockey at a young age and his devotion to the sport took him and his team a long way this season.

Hannigan started playing hockey at the age of two and joined the Cheverus varsity as a freshman, earning a place on the top line his sophomore year and not relinquishing it. The Stags gradually climbed the ladder during Hannigan’s time on the team and this winter, they got to the regional final for the first time since 2006.

Hannigan scored 15 goals and added 11 assists this winter. Highlights included a goal and two assists in an overtime win over Lewiston in the opener, two goals in a victory over Cape Elizabeth, a goal and two assists in a win over Thornton Academy, a goal and two assists in a victory over Yarmouth, two goals and an assist in a “City Cup” win over Portland/Deering, two goals in a second victory over Thornton Academy, a goal and two assists in a win over Brunswick and two goals in a second win over Portland/Deering.

In the playoffs, Hannigan had a hat trick in the second period of a quarterfinal round victory over Lake Region/Fryeburg/Oxford Hills, added an assist in a semifinal round victory over Noble/Wells and had a goal in a regional final loss to eventual state champion Scarborough.

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Oh by the way, Hannigan sprained his MCL in the win over Noble/Wells and played through it in the regional final.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, Hannigan bowed out with a hat trick in the Senior All-Star Game.

“I hate losing, but it was a lot of fun this year,” Hannigan said. “We came a long way from freshman year.”

Hannigan credits his family and his competitive nature for his success.

“My parents motivate me and my sister (Cheverus girls’ team standout Jill Hannigan) does too,” Hannigan said. “My competitiveness is the attribute I’m most proud of. I’ve always loved hockey and how fast the game is. I’ll play it until I can’t walk anymore.”

Hannigan has played and coached Casco Bay travel hockey and also runs outdoor track, competing in everything from the 200 to the 800, as well as relays. Hannigan, a straight A student, will attend the University of Maine next year, where he plans to study civil engineering and play hockey at the club level.

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His impact on the Stags program won’t soon be forgotten. James Hannigan, Cheverus’ Winter Male Athlete of the Year, was always at home on the ice.

Coach Dan Lucas’comment:“Jimmy’s a good kid. He’s pretty passionate about hockey. He’s very focused. He’s a naturally good skater. He has a good work ethic. He grew more this year than in the past three years combined. He wanted what I wanted. He wanted to win.

Previous winners:

2013-14: Jake Dixon (track)

2012-13: Trebor Lawton (swimming)

2011-12: Trebor Lawton (swimming)

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2010-11: Jack Terwilliger (track)

2009-10: Indiana Faithfull (basketball)

2008-09: Zander Markellos (skiing)

2007-08: Matt Libby (swimming)

2006-07: Matt Libby (swimming)

2005-06: Alex Arthur (hockey)

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2004-05: Adam Horgan (hockey)

2003-04: Kevin Marchesi (hockey)

Female:

ABBY LONGSTAFF, Sophomore-Swimming

  • All-State, first-team, 400 freestyle relay

  • All-State, second-team, 100 backstroke

  • All-State, second-team, 200 medley relay

  • Female Performer of SMAA meet

  • All-Conference, first-team, 400 freestyle relay

  • All-Conference, second-team, 100 freestyle

  • All-Conference, second-team, 100 backstroke

  • School record holder, 100 butterfly

  • School record holder, 500 freestyle

Longstaff has made an immediate impact on one of the state’s best swimming programs and her best days are still to come.

Longstaff grew up in Gorham, started swimming at the age of seven and quickly fell in love with the sport. Longstaff made quite a splash as a freshman with the Stags, finishing second in Class A in the 100 freestyle and fourth in the 50 free. She was also part of a champion medley relay squad.

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After another season training with the Westbrook Seals club program, Longstaff turned heads this winter. At Southwesterns, Longstaff was named the Female Performer of the Meet after winning the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. At the Class A state meet, Longstaff was second in the 100 free and placed third in the backstroke. She was also part of two scoring relay teams.

Longstaff also set new school records in both the 100 butterfly and the 500 free and credited her teammates for her success.

“My team motivates me,” Longstaff said. “They make me want to swim faster. I enjoy the team aspect of high school swimming. We’re an awesome family.”

Longstaff still has unfulfilled goals, as she hopes to to win an individual state title and lead the Stags to a team championship. She’ll have two more seasons to excel, then she hopes to compete at the next level.

Enjoy her excellence while you can. Abby Longstaff, Cheverus’ Winter Female Athlete of the Year, has already set the bar high and figures to have even more greatness in her future.

Coach Kevin Haley‘s comment:“It’s just an absolute blessing to have Abby on the team. She’s an amazing athlete. Her work ethic is truly amazing. She works hard day-in and day-out. She’s an inspiration to others. She’s a very bright student who will excel in anything she does. She represents Cheverus at the highest level. I’m very blessed and honored to coach her and I’m happy to have her for two more years.

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Previous winners:

2013-14: Sarah Nappo (swimming)

2012-13: Brooke Flaherty (basketball)

2011-12: Fiona Hendry (track)

2010-11: Caroline Summa (track)

2009-10: Saundrine Lanouette (hockey)

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2008-09: Caroline Summa (track)

2007-08: Jessica Groth (track)

2006-07: Jessica Groth (track)

2005-06: Caitlin Barber (Alpine skiing)

2004-05: Jill Horan (swimming)

2003-04: Alana Van Loenen (track)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter:@foresports.


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