Greely Rangers Fall Athletes of the Year

MALE:

SAM PECK, Senior-Football

Team MVP
Campbell Conference Class B all-star, first-team
Captain

Everyone knew that Peck was going to get the ball for an undermanned Rangers squad this fall, but very few teams were able to slow him down. Peck became the centerpiece of Greely’s offense and in a season of challenges, helped the Rangers overcome injuries and doubts to not only make the playoffs, but win a postseason game for the first time in program history.

Peck started playing football in the second grade, joined the Greely varsity as a running back and linebacker as a freshman and by his sophomore year, getting the opportunity to play with his older brother, Will, he led the Rangers in tackles. As a junior, Peck led Greely in tackles again, was named to the all-conference team and was named the Rangers’ Offensive Player of the Year.

This fall, Greely lost quarterback Matt Pisini in the preseason and dropped its first three games, but behind Peck, the Rangers roared back. In Greely’s first victory, over Gorham, Peck literally did it all, scoring on a rush and a punt return and passing for a touchdown. Against perennial powerhouse Leavitt, Peck ran for a 55 yard TD, but the Rangers lost by six. Needing a win in the finale against undefeated rival Falmouth, Peck made sure Greely got it by scoring two touchdowns in a 16-6 win. The Rangers were given little chance at Leavitt in the quarterfinals, but behind Peck’s 132 yards on 38 carries and a two-point conversion rush, Greely shocked the Hornets, 34-26. The fun ended with a semifinal loss at Marshwood, but Peck scored one final TD.

“It was a pretty crazy season,” Peck said. “We really turned it around. Everyone stepped up. Changing the offense helped a lot. It was a pretty fun couple weeks. Having lost before in the first round motivated me. I loved getting the ball. We knew we could compete with anyone.”

For the season, Peck gained 1,549 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on 266 carries and one more time, he led the team in tackles with 70.

Peck also plays lacrosse and belongs to the Global Awareness Club. He hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps and play football at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Sam Peck, Greely’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, certainly left his mark on a program that rose to amazing heights this season. He was the ideal leader and unstoppable force who helped the Rangers overcome and triumph.

Coach David Higgins’ comment: “I can’t say enough good things about Sam. Over the last couple years, he was predominantly our go-to guy. He took that role on himself. He’s a really good leader. He busted his backside in practices and games. He really flourished being the man. He relished that and performed very well.”

Prior winners:

2014 Aidan Roberts (golf)

2013 Matt Crowley (soccer)

2012 Svenn Jacobsen (football)

2011 Stefan Sandreuter (cross country)

2010 Jon Higgins (football)

2009 Logan Price (cross country)

2008 Steven Chase (soccer)

2007 James LePage (cross country)

2006 Oliver Blum (soccer)

2005 Greg Frost (soccer)

2004 Casey Diehl (cross country)

2003 Will Robinson (golf)

2002 Ben True (cross country)

2001 Ben True (cross country)

FEMALE:

IZZY HUTNAK, Senior—Soccer

Class B South, all-region team
WMC all-star, Class A/B first-team

Hutnak will live on in Greely lore for many reasons. She was a premier talent from the time she took the field as a freshman, led the Rangers to a long-awaited championship by producing one of the most amazing postseasons in recent memory and impressed all who crossed her path with her kindness and sportsmanship.

Hutnak fell in love with soccer at the age of five and made an immediate impact on the Greely varsity as a freshman. She was an all-region selection as a sophomore and made all-state as a junior, but both seasons, the Rangers’ championship hopes were dashed by Cape Elizabeth in the regional final.

This fall, Greely was clearly the state’s best team and Hutnak was a big reason why, scoring 18 goals, giving her 51 for her career.

Highlights included a goal and two assists in a season-opening win over Fryeburg Academy, a goal and an assist in a win over Yarmouth, a goal versus Falmouth, two against Gray-New Gloucester, two goals in a decisive win at Cape Elizabeth and two more goals against Lake Region.

All of that was great, but it paled in comparison to the show Hutnak was about to put on in the postseason.

First, in a 7-0 quarterfinal round win over Lincoln Academy, Hutnak scored three goals. In the semifinals, the Rangers edged Yarmouth, 2-1, and Hutnak had one of the two goals. In the regional final, Hutnak produced another hat trick, helping Greely down York, 5-1, and finally get back to the state final, where she had two goals (and almost a third) in an emphatic 6-0 triumph over Hermon.

“We had eight seniors and we knew it was our last chance,” said Hutnak, who credits her father, Steve, for being her chief source of motivation.

Hutnak’s passion for soccer shines through.

“I’ve always loved the sport,” she said. “I love the team spirit. I’ve had some amazing coaches.”

Hutnak also plays for the Seacoast United premier team, has taken part in swimming and will play basketball this winter and last winter served as a volunteer coach on Greely’s Unified Basketball team. She also belongs to Global Awareness Club. She wants to play soccer and study nursing in college.

Izzy Hutnak, Greely’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, is truly one of a kind. Her soccer skills were undeniable, but her qualities as a human being ensure that her legacy will live on.

Coach Josh Muscadin‘s comment: “Izzy emerged as a leader among her teammates. She’s well liked and respected by her peers and coaches. She was a force to be reckoned with and she knew she had her teammates around for support. She stood out in her determination to give her all consistently. She had a desire to learn and improve. She was definitely a coach’s dream player.”

Prior winners:

2014 Katherine Leggat-Barr (cross country)

2013 Kirstin Sandreuter (cross country)

2012 Haleigh Roach (volleyball)

2011 Maggie Bradley (volleyball)

2010 Kirstin Sandreuter (cross country)

2009 Erin Cadigan (volleyball)

2008 Hillary Cederna (volleyball)

2007 Mackenzie Ross (field hockey)

2006 Aly Robinson (soccer)

2005 Amanda Gray (volleyball)

2004 Rachelle Doucette (soccer)