Male:

MAX HORNBLOWER, Senior-Lacrosse

  • SMAA all-star, first-team

  • Captain

Hornblower was the steady presence on a Deering team that only got better as the season progressed.

Hornblower grew up in Portland and followed in the footsteps of his brother, Sam, on the lacrosse field. He started playing in middle school and it became his favorite sport.

“I like the fast pace of lacrosse,” Hornblower said. “We’re always on the go. I’ve made so many friends in the game.”

Hornblower made his presence felt with the Rams varsity as a sophomore, collecting 63 ground balls as a defenseman and longstick middie.

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As a junior captain, Hornblower scored seven goals and had 18 assists while also collecting 107 ground balls. He made the SMAA second-team as a result and played in the Underclass All-Star Game.

Deering wasn’t winning, however, taking just seven games in those two seasons.

This spring, the Rams returned to formidability and Hornblower, again as a captain, led the way.

He scored six goals. added five assists and had 77 ground balls en route to being named to the SMAA first-team.

Deering started 0-3, then upset Thornton Academy as part of a 7-2 tear to end the year, which clinched a playoff spot. The Rams dropped a close game to rival Cheverus in the Class A North quarterfinals.

All spring, Hornblower did everything in his power to lead the team to success.

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“We really turned it around this year and it was mostly our attitude,” Hornblower said. “Coach (Jon Dubois) really motivated me. He wanted to win. He’s humorous and I am too. He tied those things together and motivated me to win at all costs.”

Hornblower also enjoys snowboarding and volunteers with a day camp. He plans to reunite with his brother next year and play lacrosse at the University of Southern Maine.

He certainly made his mark on the high school level. Max Hornblower, Deering’s Spring Male Athlete of the Year, helped restore the Rams to competitive status and helped establish a winning attitude that will carry on. 

Coach Jon Dubois’ comment: “Max was the heart and soul of the team this season. Max was the guy who directed our defense, made all the calls and his IQ and ability made the transition to a zone defense this season seamless. Max was the guy who ran our clears, played well in transition, took faceoffs and anchored the man-up unit. He is everything that you would ever ask for in a player. Tremendous work ethic, first in-last out for practice, a complete professional. Max and his leadership were a huge reason for our success in the last two-thirds of the season. Max will be missed for both his play and personality. I couldn’t be more proud or think of a more deserving athlete.”

Previous winners:

2015 Kevin Goldberg (baseball)

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2014 Tyler Butler (tennis)

2013 Jared Bell (track)

2012 Karl Rickett (lacrosse)

2011 Carleton Allen (lacrosse)

2010 Sam Balzano (baseball)

2009 Regan Flaherty (baseball)

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2008 Taylor Candage (baseball)

2007 Matt Watson (baseball)

2006 Adam Rothbart (lacrosse)

2005 Neall Oliver (tennis)

2004 Ryan Reid (baseball)

Female:

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MICARY VERVILLE, Senior-Lacrosse

  • Captain

Verville capped a solid high school career by leading her team to an elusive playoff berth.

Verville grew up in Portland and inspired by her brothers, started playing lacrosse in the fourth grade. It quickly became her strongest sport.

“I love sprinting with the ball and scoring and assisting,” Verville said.

Verville, who also played soccer and basketball at Deering, played three years of varsity lacrosse with the Rams and like her team, she saved her best for last this year as Deering returned to contention.

As a captain, Verville led her team on the field and by example and the Rams responded, winning five games and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

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Verville was at her best in the draw circle, where she jump-started the Rams’ offense.

“Micary owned the draw circle the majority of games,” said Deering coach Aimee Burgos. “We utilized her height for different plays off the draw.”

Verville scored her share of goals, finishing second on the team to Megan Violette, and had the ability to find open teammates as well.

“We had a good group of newcomers and a lot of improvement this year,” Verville said. “Our coaches were phenomenal and helped us improve a lot. They motivated me a lot. They helped me relax and stay positive.”

Verville hopes to continue playing lacrosse at St. Joseph’s College, where she plans to study biology and veterinary medicine.

She certainly had a terrific final act to her high school career. Micary Verville, Deering’s Spring Female Athlete of the Year, led the Rams to great things and has a bright future to look forward to.

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Coach Aimee Burgos’ comment: “Micary is an amazing athlete. From the moment I met her, I knew she’d be our best player. She’ll run up and down the field all game and not complain once. She was everywhere she needed to be. She was a vital player for us. Her teammates trusted her. She practiced as hard as she played. She was the type of captain and role model I want. I’ll be using her name as an example for years to come.”

Previous winners:

2015 Maddie Abbott (tennis)

2014 Alexis Elowitch (track)

2013 Rashad Zagon (track)

2012 Veronica Mitchell (lacrosse/track)

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2011 Jen Lynch (softball)

2010 Julie Pallozzi (lacrosse)

2009 Melissa Bell (softball)

2008 Lesley Warn (softball)

2007 Chelsea Johnson (lacrosse)

2006 Kate Bustin (softball)

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2005 Lesley Warn (softball)

2004 Gina Axelson (softball)

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

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Hornblower

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