2008-09 Winter Female Athlete of the Year:
KRISTEN DESROSIERS, Senior-Swimming
* Class A State champion, 200 free
* Class A State champion, 500 free
* All-State, second team, 200 free
* All-State, second team, 500 free
* All-State, second team, 400 free relay
* All-Conference, first team, 200 free
* All-Conference, first team, 500 free
* All-Conference, second team, 400 free relay

The McAuley girls’ swim team wasn’t able to repeat as Class B state champion this winter, but one Lion enjoyed another magical campaign.

Kristen Desrosiers didn’t just win two more individual state titles and cement her status as one of the premier swimmers in the state, she was also able to retain family bragging rights by holding off her fiercest and friendliest rival, twin sister Katelyn.

Kristen Desrosiers had everyone gunning for her this winter, but rose to the challenge time and again. She capped her high school career in special fashion and figures to have even more greatness awaiting her at the next level. If that’s not enough, she’s also been a willing team leader and has an infectious personality that makes her an ideal teammate.

In that light, The Forecaster is happy to name Kristen Desrosiers as McAuley’s 2008-09 Winter Female Athlete of the Year.

Desrosiers lives in Gorham and made a quick splash on the McAuley swim team as a freshman, placing runner-up in the 200 and 500 free at the Class B state meet. As a sophomore, she won both events and repeated that feat as a junior.

This season proved to be more of the same. Desrosiers was second only to Falmouth standout Kristin Jackson in the 200 free and 500 free in the regular season, but had no peer at the state repeat, winning her third successive crown in both events and trimming time off last year’s results in the process. For good measure, she edged her sister in the 500 free.

The Lions wound up third behind Falmouth and Greely, but it’s hard to classify their season as anything other than a success.

Kristen Desrosiers (with Katelyn) is heading to Holy Cross to swim next year. Kristen, who also swims with the Seals and plays Ultimate Frisbee and floor hockey for fun, plans to focus on distance as well as the backstroke. She plans to study pre-Med.

For four years, the Lions have been led by a unique talent, one who not only dominates in the pool, but is also admired by friend and foe alike. Kristen Desrosiers, McAuley’s 2008-09 Winter Athlete of the Year, has left quite a legacy.

Coach John Smith’s comment: “Throughout her four years, Kristen has been a great leader and supporter of her teammates. She is easy to get a long with and loves to have a good time. You will rarely see her without a smile on her face. Her success comes from the hard work and the countless hours she puts in the pool daily.”

2007-08 winner: Kristen Desrosiers (Swimming)
2006-07 winner: Abby Wentworth (Basketball)
2005-06 winner: Ashley Cimino (Basketball)
2004-05 winner: Tara Beaulieu (Basketball)
2003-04 winner: Katie Donnelly (Indoor track)

Kristen Desrosiers

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