Jaques

Jaques

Johnston

Johnston

HENRY JAQUES, Junior—Track

* WMC All-Conference, first-team, mile

Jaques continued to emerge into one of the state’s best and turned heads at the conference and state levels this winter.

Jaques started running cross country in middle school and began to take track seriously in high school. Prior to this winter, he made his biggest impact in cross country, helping the Falcons win back-to-back Class B titles, including this past fall, when he placed second individually behind teammate Chandler Vincent.

Last winter, Jaques was part of a 4×800 relay team which placed sixth at the Class B state meet and this season, Jaques took it even further, becoming one of the best distance runners in the conference, even though he readily admits indoor track isn’t his favorite season.

“Training for indoors isn’t fun because it’s cold,” Jaques said. “I enjoy outdoor more.”

Jaques’ performance was steady throughout the season and he was at his best on the biggest stage, capping the year by coming in second in Class B in the two-mile with a time of 9 minutes, 54.70 seconds. 

“I feel like the season was a success,” said Jaques. “I hoped to win at states, but I was still satisfied. I want to keep getting better. There’s always room for improvement. When I reach a certain threshold, there’s still more I can do. My goal outdoors is to finish first.”

Jaques was fourth in the two-mile last spring.

Jaques, who is also artistically inclined, taking part in the school musical and one-act play, belongs to Model UN and hopes to run in college, where he wants to study architecture.

Look for him to continue his upward climb. Henry Jaques, Freeport’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, excelled in his least favorite season. That bodes well for what comes next.

Coach Brian Berkemeyer‘s comment: “Henry is an excellent runner. He has a large amount of passion to do his best. He’s helped our program grow and maintain high standards. His work ethic is solid. It’s been nice watching him not only mature into an outstanding runner, but also into a solid young man. With his steady improvement, it will be interesting to see him continue to push through his personal times. He’s quietly turning into one of the best distance runners in the state.”

Previous winners:

2014-15 Blake Enrico (Alpine skiing)

2013-14 Harrison Stivers (track)

2012-13 Ryder Bennell (skiing)

2011-12 Taylor Saucier (Track)

2010-11 Ryan Collet (skiing)

2009-10 Ryan Collet (skiing)

2008-09 Jon Klages (basketball)

2007-08 Reid Christian (basketball)

2006-07 Danny Mehler (basketball)

2005-06 Nate Fuller (skiing)

2004-05 Dan Sandberg (skiing)

2003-04 Kegan Pettit (hockey)

2002-03 Frank Roy (skiing)

2001-02 Griff Leach (skiing)

Female:

LILY JOHNSTON—Senior, Nordic skiing

* WMC all-star

* WMC All-Academic team

* Freeport’s Most Valuable Skier

Johnston was the model of consistency and excellence this winter for another strong Freeport squad and we haven’t heard the last of her exploits on the trails.

Johnston grew up in Pownal and started skiing at a young age. She began skiing competitively in middle school and it quickly became her favorite sport. 

By her sophomore year, Johnston, who also runs cross country and plays lacrosse, was runner-up at states in the classical and fifth in the freestyle. As a junior, Johnston was third in the classical and fourth in the freestyle.

This season, Johnston made sure she bowed out in style, skiing her best in the postseason. At the Western Maine Conference championship meet, Johnston won the classic and was sixth in the freestyle. At the Class B state meet, she was second to Gray-New Gloucester’s Kaelyn Woods in both the classical (15 minutes, 48.8 seconds) and the freestyle (13:46.3). Those times would have won Class A with ease.

Johnston capped her high school career by qualifying for the Maine team and competing at the Eastern High School championships, where she came in eighth in the sprint and 17th in the classical.

“I enjoy skiing and I have a lot of drive to train even when conditions aren’t optimal,” Johnston said. “I just love to race. I like being outside. I love winter and snow. The ski community is great.”

Johnston, who mentors freshmen at Freeport and is a member of Model UN and writes for the school’s literary art magazine, will attend and ski at Bowdoin College next year.

She’s bound for success there as well. Lily Johnston, Freeport’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, has reaped the benefits of her hard work and is something to behold when she’s flying down the trail.

Coach Joel Hinshaw’s comment: “Lily has been on the Freeport Nordic team for four years and since day one, has been a great addition. She’s been one of the top skiers ever since her freshman year, but what makes Lily such a great athlete is her enjoyment for the sport, the commitment to challenge herself and her teammates and her positive energy. She’s been a great role model for our team. I’m sure Lily will have a lasting effect on everyone she meets with her positive energy and attitude.”

Previous winners:

2014-15 Emily Johnson (hockey)

2013-14 Nina Davenport (basketball)

2012-13 Nina Davenport (basketball)

2011-12 Elly Bengtsson (skiing)

2010-11 Elly Bengtsson (skiing)

2009-10 Adrian Baker (track)

2008-09 Molly Susla (skiing)

2007-08 Adrian Baker (track)

2006-07 Abby Fuller (swimming)

2005-06 Lucy Garrec (skiing)

2004-05 Logan Crane (track)

2003-04 Logan Crane (track)

2002-03 Jessica Harold (skiing)

2001-02 Molly Pierce (skiing)

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

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