MALE:

MATT MALCOM, Sophomore-Cross country

* WMC all-star, second team

A cerebral, committed and talented runner, Malcom emerged as one of the conference’s finest this fall.

Malcom is from Boothbay and began running in middle school, liking it immediately. He placed 17th in the region and 20th in Class C his freshman season, helping NYA win a Class C title.

After the Panthers were hard hit by graduation, Malcom stepped into the lead role this fall and didn’t disappoint.

Malcom opened the season with a fifth-place finish to set the bar. He had two third places and was a runner-up as well. Malcom came in 12th in the Western Maine Conference championship meet, moved up to eighth at the regional meet and was ninth at states, where NYA finished eighth.

“It was a good season,” Malcom said. “I met my goals.”

Malcom’s approach is simple.

“I like to pick off the guy in front of me,” he said. “That keeps me going. I want to do well to help the team.”

Malcom was a Nordic skier as a freshman. He’s still debating whether he’ll ski or take part in indoor track this winter. He played lacrosse as a freshman and will likely run outdoor track this spring. He plays the trumpet and enjoys skiing. He hopes to keep getting better, win a state title and run in college.

All that is in the future. For now, keep an eye on Matt Malcom, North Yarmouth Academy’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, he still has two seasons to dazzle.

Coach Peter Sillin’s comment: “Matt has plenty of natural talent, but what I think has made him especially successful is his dedication. He has a clear vision of himself at the top of the heap and he uses that vision as motivation to do the work necessary to get there. Although he thinks a lot about his personal goals, I would describe Matt as very team focused. He’s a leader in practice and in races. No one pushes themselves harder and he sets a great example for everyone. It’s a lot of pressure to be the number one guy in every race, but Matt did a great job shouldering that load for us this year. Matt has accomplished a lot already, but he has a great future ahead of him too and I look forward to seeing what he can do over the next couple years.”

Prior winners:

2011: Cam Regan (cross country)

2010: Cam Regan (Cross country)

2009: Tim Millett (Golf)

2008: Henry Sterling (Soccer)

2007: Taylor Gorman (Soccer)

2006: James Sterling (Golf)

2005: Sean Lynch (Soccer)

2004: Nathaniel Bishop (Soccer)

2003: Luke Welch (Soccer)

2002: Sam Crocker (Cross Country)

2001: Colin Minte (Soccer)

FEMALE:

JEN BROWN, Senior-Field hockey

* All-State

* WMC Division II all-star, first team

* Team MVP

* Captain

While NYA’s quest for a third straight championship fell short this fall, Brown capped her high school career with a tremendous season, exemplifying the phrase student-athlete.

Brown started playing field hockey in the third grade in Freeport and quickly became a devotee. She came to NYA for middle school and played for Tracy Quimby, who became the high school varsity coach when Brown was a junior. As a freshman, Brown came up to varsity late in the season to contribute to a team which was undefeated until suffering an agonizing loss in the state final. Brown played a key role the next two seasons and the Panthers were the best in Class C.

After an all-star season as a junior, Brown, who has devoted countless hours to improving her game in the offseason, was a leader on this year’s squad, which won 14 games and reached the regional final.

Brown’s excellence on the field didn’t usually translate into goals, but she did have one of the biggest of the season to cap a semifinal round playoff win over Dirigo. Brown was one of the best in the state at stifling the opposition and finding open teammates. She finished her career with nine goals and 10 assists.

“I have a very competitive nature,” said Brown. “I don’t like talking about myself, but I’m told I’m a good leader and I’m patient. I like to work with the younger girls. Coach Quimby has been a constant in my career. She’s amazing at developing players.”

Brown was again named to the All-Conference team this fall and was also selected All-State. She played basketball her first three high school seasons, but will run track this winter. She also plays lacrosse in the spring, has been the vice president of her class (as a junior and senior), plays the tenor drum in the steel band and has discovered a love of lobstering. Brown wants to play field hockey in college and is weighing several schools.

She’s been a one-of-a-kind talent. Jen Brown, NYA’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, has not only starred as a terrific player, but is also a model teammate and highly respected young lady with much success awaiting in her future.

Coach Tracy Quimby’s comment: “As a coach, for seven years I have been privileged to work with Jen and see her develop as a person and as an athlete. Jen is respected by other players not only because she plays well, but perhaps more importantly because she gives respect to other players. She listens and she helps lead. She loves field hockey and has fun playing. She knows that ultimately it’s a game and it should be kept in perspective. She’s skilled and determined and I’m certain she’ll have an excellent career in college. We’ll certainly miss her leadership and and wish her only the best.”

Prior winners:

2011: Katherine Millett (Field hockey)

2010; Katherine Millett (Field hockey)

2009: Courtney Dumont (Soccer)

2008: Nicole Fuller (Field hockey)

2007: Allie Tocci (Field hockey)

2006: Alex Mack (Soccer)

2005: Zoe Filliter (Cross country)

2004: Elizabeth Werley-Prieto (Field hockey)

2003: Abby Hamilton (Field hockey)

2002: Rachael Blanchard (Cross country)

2001: Kelsey Wilcox (Soccer)

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