Spring 2011 Male Athlete of the Year:

RYAN JURGELEVICH, Junior—Lacrosse

* SMAA All-Star, first team

* Team captain

The Portland boys’ lacrosse program has set the bar so high that a 10-win season, capped by a trip to the semifinals, is looked upon as a down year.

While the Bulldogs didn’t get to play on their home turf in the state final for the third year in a row, the team did have its moments and the most consistent performer was goalie Ryan Jurgelevich.

Jurgelevich came up big time and again, emerged as a team leader and helped Portland remain one of the best teams around.

For his performance and poise, Ryan Jurgelevich is The Forecaster’s choice for Portland’s Spring 2011 Male Athlete of the Year.

Jurgelevich came naturally to the sport and started playing goalie in Back Bay lacrosse in the second grade. He suffered his share of welts and bruises at the hand of his father, Kirk, and brother, K.R. (Portland’s 2009 Spring Athlete of the Year) and was more than ready for the crucible of varsity boys’ lacrosse by the time he was a freshman.

He played a supporting role on the Bulldogs 2009 championship team and was in cage when Portland made a return to the state final in 2010. This year, he came up big on countless occasions, registering 166 saves in 14 games, stopping 68 percent of the shots he faced.

Highlights included seven saves against Bonny Eagle, 13 versus Kennebunk, 22 in a loss to Deering and 15 against Scarborough. He stopped 15 shots in a semifinal round win over Brunswick, the made six in a semifinal round loss to Lewiston.

Jurgelevich is a quiet leader, but thrives in the role of last defender. He also plays hockey and has played football and golf in the fall. He helps out with the Back Bay program and hops to play lacrosse in college, where he might pursue an interest in art.

He’s certainly been an artist between the pipes. Ryan Jurgelevich, Portland’s Spring 2011 Male Athlete of the Year, is poised and talented and is only getting better.

Coach Eric Begonia’s comment: “We probably wouldn’t have won the close games this year without Ryan. He made spectacular saves and made big saves in big games. He’s very easy going. A big leader. He has so much fun with the tough job of being a goalie. He takes losses harder than anybody, but he bounces back well. He’ll be our anchor next year.”

2010 winner: Caleb Kenney (lacrosse)

2009 winner: K.R. Jurgelevich (lacrosse)

2008 winner; Brian Furey (baseball)

2007 winner: Sam McAdam (lacrosse)

2006 winner: Joe Fessenden (baseball)

2005 winner: Peter Sengelmann (lacrosse)

2004 winner: Jake Schuit (lacrosse)

Spring 2011 Female Athlete of the Year:

DREW BARRY, Sophomore—Lacrosse

* SMAA All-Star, first team

While only a sophomore, it hasn’t taken Drew Barry long to emerge as one of the area’s best girls’ lacrosse players.

A solid three-sport athlete, Barry had a memorable campaign this spring, scoring an abundance of goals while helping the Bulldogs reach the playoffs yet again. She’s much more than just an athlete. The well-rounded Barry seems to do it all and her future is very bright.

Those traits convinced The Forecaster to name Drew Barry, Portland’s Spring 2011 Female Athlete of the Year.

Barry grew up in Portland and started playing lacrosse in the sixth grade. She’s a striker in soccer in the fall and a defender in hockey in the winter, but did she ever sparkle this spring.

Highlights included two goals and three assists against Gardiner, five goals and three assists in a win over eventual regional finalist Cheverus, three goals each against Windham, Bonny Eagle, Thornton Academy and Camden Hills and a season-high seven in a win over rival Deering. She had five in a playoff loss to Mt. Ararat.

Barry finished the year with 42 goals and 27 assists and grabbed 35 ground balls. She scored consistently, regardless of the competition, was never hesitant about setting up her teammates and proved almost unstoppable. As a result of her prolific scoring, Barry was named an SMAA first-team all-star.

“I always play my heart out,” Barry said. “I try to get everyone to play their best.”

Barry is a member of Executive Board, Key Club and the math team. She plays the piano, takes part in two leadership programs, is in her third year volunteering at Maine Medical Center and plays premier hockey. She is spending the summer playing with the Mainiacs elite team and attending a camp in New Hampshire. She hopes to play in college and figures to have many schools interested in her services.

First, she has two more seasons in a Bulldogs uniform, where she figures to score an abundance of goals and lead her team to a lot of victories. That’s because Drew Barry, Portland’s Spring 2011 Female Athlete of the Year, is something special and isn’t about to stop turning heads.

Coach Eric Wales’ comment: “Drew is one of the most competitive young ladies in the conference. When she goes, we go. She’s the player who comes out of nowhere and gets the ground balls. She’s an offensive force. She’s developing into one of the most complete players in the state. She’s very respectful, kind and considerate young lady that is extremely coachable. I’m thrilled to have her two more seasons. She’s awesome.”

2010 winner: Mary Moran (tennis)

2009 winner: Maggie Swann (tennis)

2008 winner: Liz Mosley (lacrosse)

2007 winner: Jasmine Powell (track)

2006 winner: Katie Hutchins (softball)

2005 winner: Kelly Flaherty (lacrosse)

2004 winner: Lily Anderson (lacrosse)

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