Spring 2011 Male Athlete of the Year:

CARLETON ALLEN, Senior—Lacrosse

* Team captain

* SMAA first-team all-star

* Senior All-Star

After missing most of his junior season with a knee injury, Carleton Allen hoped to make the most of his final high school campaign this spring.

He did that and more.

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Leading the Rams to the finest season in their history, Allen cemented his status as one of the state’s all-around best players.

In light of his resilience and excellence, The Forecaster is naming Carleton Allen Deering’s Spring 2011 Male Athlete of the Year.

Allen grew up in Portland and started playing lacrosse in the sixth grade. He made the varsity team as a freshman and was poised for a breakout season in 2010 before he blew out his knee early in the year.

While it took time to recover, by winter, Allen was back in top form as he won the Class A state title in the 55 hurdles despite wearing a knee brace in practice.

This spring, his impact was seismic. Allen had three goals and three assists in the opener, a win over Marshwood. Other big games included a goal and three assists versus Thornton Academy, seven goals against South Portland (the team against which he was injured in 2010), four goals against Morse, two goals and four assists versus Massabesic and three goals versus Gorham.

He finished with 31 goals, 22 assists and 118 ground balls.

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“We knew we’d be good this year,” Allen said. “Our biggest enemy was ourselves. The defense really pulled it together.”

In the semifinals, Deering’s first-ever win in that round, Allen had three clutch goals to lead the Rams past Messalonskee. Deering’s run ended with a regional final loss at Lewiston, but Allen scored twice in his swan song. He was then recognized as a first-team league all-star and played in the Senior All-Star Game.

Allen, who also played soccer at Deering, was the secretary of the Key Club, is a music aficionado and works as a landscaper. He’ll attend Merrimack College in the fall, where he plans to try out for the lacrosse team.

This is one player who can make a major impact in no time. Carleton Allen, Deering’s Spring 2011 Male Athlete of the Year, bounced back in memorable fashion and had a senior season to remember.

Coach Bob Rothbart’s comment: “Carleton was the heart and soul of the team. He made a great comeback from injury. He often asked for a bucket of balls after practice and while everyone else was shooting, he was working on dodges. He was always there for us.”

2010 winner: Sam Balzano (baseball)

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2009 winner: Regan Flaherty (baseball)

2008 winner: Taylor Candage (baseball)

2007 winner: Matt Watson (baseball)

2006 winner: Adam Rothbart (lacrosse)

2005 winner: Neall Oliver (tennis)

2004 winner: Ryan Reid (baseball)

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Spring 2011 Female Athlete of the Year:

JEN LYNCH, Senior—Softball

* Merv Kilgore Award winner

The Deering softball team struggled to find victories this spring, but its shortstop, Jen Lynch, turned heads with her play and her infectious personality.

Nicknamed the “Energizer Bunny” by Deering athletic director Bill LeRoy, Lynch got clutch hits, stood out defensively and made an impact by how she treated her teammates.

In light of those attributes, The Forecaster is naming Jen Lynch Deering’s Spring 2011 Female Athlete of the Year.

Lynch grew up in Portland and started playing softball at a young age. She came up to the varsity softball team as a freshman, playing in the outfield, then moved to shortstop as a sophomore, where she played the rest of her high school career. Lynch also played soccer and hockey and swam in high school, but made a mark on the diamond.

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This spring, Lynch singled, doubled, tripled, scored three runs and drove in three in a win over rival Portland, singled, doubled and tripled versus Cheverus, doubled against McAuley and singled twice and scored in a win over Westbrook.

Lynch finished the year with a .354 average, a .444 on-base percentage, had 17 hits, including three doubles and two triples, scored 10 times, drove in a pair and had seven steals. Most impressively, she only struck out twice.

She was also named the Merv Kilgore Award winner as the outstanding female athlete in the senior class.

Lynch was a member of National Honor Society and Key Club, plays the guitar and will play softball at Lyndon State (Vt.) College next year, where she plans to study exercise science.

Expect her to make a mark at the next level as well. Jen Lynch, Deering’s Spring 2011 Female Athlete of the Year, left quite a legacy of accomplishment, both on and off the playing field.

Coach Maggie Soule’s comment: “To the team, Jen has meant consistency. She consistently made the tough plays with athleticism and grace. With very few strikeouts, you could trust that she would get a hit or at lease move runners over. Jen is a joy to coach and a kind young lady. She’s going to be very successful in her future athletic career.”

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2010 winner: Julie Pallozzi (lacrosse)

2009 winner: Melissa Bell (softball)

2008 winner: Lesley Warn (softball)

2007 winner: Chelsea Johnson (lacrosse)

2006 winner: Kate Bustin (softball)

2005 winner: Lesley Warn (softball)

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2004 winner: Gina Axelson (softball)

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