Male:

BLAKE ENRICO, Senior—Alpine skiing

* WMC All-Conference

Enrico became the latest in a long line of standout Freeport skiers and was at his best in the biggest meets this winter.

Enrico grew up in Freeport, started on skis at the age of 18 months and by middle school had emerged as a top talent. While also playing soccer and ultimate frisbee in high school, Enrico’s greatest glory has come on the slopes. As a freshman, he was third in the giant slalom and sixth in the slalom at the Class C state meet. The next year, Enrico moved up to second in the GS and third in the slalom. As a junior, he came in ninth in the slalom and 10th in the GS.

Enrico’s senior campaign saw him return to the form of his freshman and sophomore seasons, as he finished in the top 10 in eery event but one. He placed third in both the GS and slalom at states, helping the Falcons finish second as a team in Class B. He then had a top 10 finish at the Eastern High School Shootout and made the Maine State Team. Enrico was given a scholarship award following the season (which older sister, Taylor, won it previously).

“I met my goals,” Enrico said. “I’ve been lucky to train outside of the school team at Sugarloaf on weekends. That was very beneficial to me. I have peers who drove me to be my best.”

Enrico has several interests outside of skiing, including playing the guitar, mountain biking and being a part of Freeport’s Math Team. He wants to study engineering in college and feels that his competitive skiing days are behind him.

That’s OK, he made quite a mark at the high school level. Blake Enrico, Freeport’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, was the model of consistency and excellence and etched his name as one of the proud program’s great ones.

Coach ‘s comment: “Blake has grown up skiing. He’s been a top skier for Freeport since middle school. Of all our skiers, I think he’s been one of the most versatile. Blake could nail any drill I could throw at him. He’s a great athlete, excellent scholar and an amazing kid. I feel honored to have been able to share time with him on skis.”

Previous winners:

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:

EMILY JOHNSON—Senior, Hockey

* East Region second-team, all-star

* Senior All-Star

* Assistant captain

Johnson’s excellence ensured that people knew Freeport was very much a part of a Yarmouth/Freeport/Gray-New Gloucester co-op squad which again went deep in the playoffs.

Johnson started playing ice hockey in middle school, but Freeport doesn’t have the numbers to support its own team. As a result, Johnson and a few of her classmates joined the Yarmouth squad and while she had to awaken when it was still dark outside for 4:45 a.m. practice and suddenly join forces with girls from a rival school, she soon found her niche.

“I was nervous at first, but they’re a nice group of girls,” Johnson said, of her Yarmouth teammates.

Johnson, a three-sport athlete who also plays soccer and lacrosse at a high level, soon found herself comfortable enough to become one of the co-op squad’s elite scorers. Johnson was an East Region second-team all-star as a freshman, made the second-team again as a sophomore and last year, she made the first-team.

This winter, Johnson made history, becoming the first player in program annals to eclipse the 100-point plateau for her career. She produced plenty of highlights.

Johnson, a center, had three assists in a season-opening win at Brunswick, scored twice in a win over Capeflete, had a power play goal in a loss to Lewiston and scored twice (making her the program’s all-time leading scorer) and assisted on another goal in a regular season-ending win over Mt. Ararat.

Yarmouth/Freeport/Gray-New Gloucester then beat St. Dom’s, 8-1, in the East Region quarterfinals, as Johnson scored the final two goals of her career. The season ended with a 4-0 loss to eventual state champion Lewiston in the semifinals.

Johnson finished with nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points, giving her 45 goals and 58 assists for her career. She led the team in assists in three of four seasons and once again earned all-star honors.

Johnson, who also played for the Casco Bay Travel team for a few years, said that her motivation came from within.

“I have the drive to practice on my own time,” Johnson said. “I wanted to go from average to above average. It’s more fun to win.”

Johnson, who is also a member of Model UN and National Honor Society and writes for Freeport’s school newspaper, hopes to play lacrosse and study physical therapy in college.

Her contributions on the ice won’t be forgotten back home. Emily Johnson, Freeport’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, did her school proud as she left a tremendous hockey legacy.

Coach Jeff Haley’s comment: “Emily is perhaps the most prolific center in the league. She can control the tempo of any game with her backchecking and forechecking skills, along with her unselfish style of play. She’s the ultimate competitor and quiet leader on our team. Her commitment, passion and dedication to the game, her team and to the classroom is unparalleled. She exemplifies the true spirit of the game with character and dignity. Her name will always been synonymous with the program. She left an indelible mark on our program and a lasting legacy she should be proud of.”

Previous winners:

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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