BOYS’ TEAM

PAUL ST. PIERRE—FREEPORT FOOTBALL

Freeport’s football team enjoyed arguably its finest season this fall and while that came as a surprise to many, it was predicted by coach Paul St. Pierre. St. Pierre’s faith in his charges came to fruition as the Falcons followed up a winless campaign by producing four victories, including a historic first over a nemesis and rival, and then turned heads in the playoffs as well before bowing out.

For his efforts, Paul St. Pierre is The Forecaster’s choice for our Northern edition Fall Coach of the Year, of a boys’ team.

St. Pierre played football at Deering and served as a Falcons assistant to Rob Grover before taking over a 2-6 team in 2015. Freeport didn’t win a single game that year, but heading into this season, St. Pierre felt his Falcons were on the verge of contention and he proved to be spot-on.

Freeport opened with a win over Poland and added victories over Gray-New Gloucester and Lake Region. Entering the finale, the Falcons had never beaten a Yarmouth program which has three regional and two state titles to its credit. Despite miserable weather conditions, Freeport took care of business, winning the “Battle of the Bay,” 30-16, and earned the No. 5 seed for the Class C South playoffs. While the Falcons lost at No. 4 Spruce Mountain in the quarterfinals, they hung tough throughout in a 20-14 setback.

“We stepped our game up this year,” St. Pierre said. “We really wanted to win.”

“Coach made it fun for us,” said Freeport quarterback and Fall Male Athlete of the Year Josh Burke. “He motivated us to be our best.”

Freeport won’t be able to sneak up on anyone next fall, but the Falcons won’t need to. They figure to be well positioned to contend going forward.

That’s a tribute to the hard work and motivational skills of Paul St. Pierre, our Northern edition boys’ team Coach of the Year, who has put Freeport on the football map.

Prior winners:

2015 David Higgins (Greely football)

2014 Brian Berkemeyer (Freeport cross country)

2013 Mike Andreasen (Greely soccer)

2012 Dave Halligan (Falmouth soccer)

2011 Spike Herrick (Falmouth golf)

2010 David Higgins (Greely football)

2009 Jim Hartman (Yarmouth football)

2008 Mike Hagerty (Yarmouth soccer)

2007 Mike Andreasen (Greely soccer)

2006 Dave Halligan (Falmouth soccer)

2005 Joe Heathco (Freeport soccer)

2004 Mike Hagerty (Yarmouth soccer)

2003 Dave Halligan (Falmouth soccer)

2002 Bob Gilman (Falmouth cross country)

2001 Mark Luthe (Falmouth golf)

GIRLS’ TEAM

NORA KRAINIS-NYA VOLLEYBALL

North Yarmouth Academy’s volleyball program has arrived as a top contender and this fall, the Panthers produced their best season yet. NYA set a new mark for victories and won a playoff match for the first time. It’s taken awhile, but thanks to the hard work of coach Nora Krainis, the Panthers have become a force.

For her efforts, Nora Krainis is The Forecaster’s choice for our Northern edition Fall Coach of the Year, of a girls’ team.

Krainis was an All-Conference volleyball player at Valley Forge Christian College and played a year at the University of Southern Maine. After coaching the sport in Texas, Krainis took over the NYA program a decade ago.

The Panthers took the jump to competitive status in 2013 when they made the playoffs for the first time. In 2015, NYA posted its first ever winning record and returned to the Class B postseason. This fall, the senior-laden Panthers were at another level and they won their first five matches. After a loss to Bonny Eagle, NYA rattled off six wins in a row. Despite losing at Washington Academy and Cheverus to close the year, the Panthers’ 11-3 mark gave them the No. 3 seed in Class B and allowed them to host Wells in the quarterfinals. NYA made history with a four-set victory. While the Panthers lost at Washington Academy in the semifinals, the 2016 season was nothing short of a resounding success.

“Every year the team builds on prior successes and we’ve been consistently improving over the past few years,” Krainis said. “This year, several players took part in club volleyball and/or volleyball camps in the summer, which helps tremendously in keeping skills fresh and understanding game strategies better. It also helped that almost all of last year’s starters returned.”

“As in all she does, Nora completely involves herself in volleyball,” said NYA athletic director Jack Hardy. “Her passion for the sport and caring for the girls are the foundation of what has evolved into back-to-back record-breaking seasons and the opportunity to participate in the MPA tournament. Top this off with her organizational skills and desire to always learn and you have an athletic director’s dream. 

“Her program also epitomizes what we want in a well-rounded NYA student. By bringing the team together to sing the National Anthem for each home game, these strong student-athletes also demonstrate their ability in the arts. I would think this has played a key role in NYA being recognized four out of the past five years for the MPA Sportsmanship award.”

Krainis also teaches music and theater at NYA.

The Panthers volleyball program looks forward to continued success in the years to come and with Nora Krainis, our Northern edition girls’ team Coach of the Year at the helm, the sky is the limit.

Prior winners:

2015 Bob Morse (Yarmouth cross country)

2014 Tracy Quimby (NYA field hockey)

2013 Gary Powers (Falmouth volleyball)

2012 Kelvin Hasch (Greely volleyball)

2011 Jim Senecal (Yarmouth volleyball)

2010 Rich Smith (Yarmouth soccer)

2009 Gary Powers (Falmouth volleyball)

2008 Julia Littlefield (NYA field hockey)

2007 Jeff Thoreck (NYA soccer)

2006 Kelvin Hasch (Greely volleyball)

2005 Cathy McGuire (Freeport cross country)

2004 Robin Haley (Falmouth field hockey)

2003 Robyn Thayer (Greely field hockey)

2002 Bob Morse (Yarmouth cross country)

2001 Melissa Anderson (Falmouth soccer)

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

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