MALE:

DAKOTA JOY, Senior—Football

• Class A South, first-team offense

• Class A South, second-team defense

Joy was an unsung hero for a Scarborough football team which exceeded expectations and sprung the biggest upset of the season. His tenacious effort on both sides of the ball helped the Red Storm to their best ever showing in Class A and set the stage for future excellence.

Joy grew up in Scarborough and quickly gravitated to football, playing it exclusively from his sophomore year on.

“I’ve always loved football,” Joy said. “I love the atmosphere and the teamwork. I like the physicality of the game. It’s gratifying to see teammates succeed. I’m a pretty competitive guy. I like to win and be better than my opponent.”

Joy became a stalwart on the offensive and defensive line as a sophomore and junior. This season, Scarborough’s offense was often unstoppable and its defense was tougher than in years past. Joy’s play was a huge reason for the Red Storm’s success on both sides of the ball.

Scarborough opened with an upset victory at defending Class A North Portland and despite close home losses to preseason favorite Bonny Eagle and two-time defending state champion Thornton Academy, garnered plenty of praise for its play. As the No. 3 seed in Class A South, the Red Storm handled South Portland in the quarterfinals, then went to Saco and ended the second-ranked Golden Trojans’ reign with a thrilling 36-29 triumph. Scarborough’s title dream ended with a loss at eventual champion Bonny Eagle in the regional final, but what a run it was.

“Our physicality was better this year,” Joy said. “Our mental toughness got built up in the weight room. Our line stepped it up quite a bit. TA is a great program, so beating them was a highlight.”

Joy, who stands 6-foot-2-inches and weighs 250 pounds, credits his success to his weightlifting regimen (his top squat is 315 pounds, he benches 255 and dead lifts 400-plus). Joy wants to play in college, likely at the Division III level. 

He figures to have his share of options. Dakota Joy, Scarborough’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, has the physical tools to excel and his love for the sport will lead to even bigger things down the road.

Coach Lance Johnson’s comment: “ Dakota was the driving force behind our offensive and defensive lines and our tougher, more determined style of play. He’s a tremendous team leader and took responsibility for teaching and nurturing the younger guys that played on the lines for us.”

Prior winners:

2015 Matt Caron (soccer)

2014 Drew Kane (golf)

2013 Ben Greenberg (football)

2012 Dillon Russo (football)

2011 Nick Morris (cross country)

2010 Mike Cyr (football)

2009 Trevor Hoxsie (soccer)

2008 Ian Philbrick (soccer)

2007 Nate Gove (soccer)

2006 Jack Snyder (golf)

2005 Derek Poulin (soccer)

2004 Brad Carlson (soccer)

2003 Tim Waterhouse (cross country)

2002 Travis Hitchcock (football)

2001 Nial DeMena (football)

FEMALE:

LILY NYGREN, Senior -Field hockey

• All-State

• All-State, All-Academic 

• SMAA first-team

• Captain

Powerful things sometimes come in small packages and Nygren was Exhibit A. Despite standing a modest 4-feet-11-inches, Nygren has stood out on the field with her tenacity and flair for the dramatic as she capped her high school career by leading Scarborough to another fine season.

Nygren played soccer until high school, then switched to field hockey.

“At ‘Meet the Coaches’ night, I decided to change,” Nygren said. “I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. I liked field hockey because it’s similar to ice hockey. It was a great experience. The coaches and girls, the whole atmosphere was something I loved.”

Nygren got up to speed as a freshman and became a starter as a sophomore, helping Scarborough win the Class A state title. By her junior year, Nygren was an All-State selection and she excelled as a senior, as the Red Storm overcame an 0-2 start and got to the Class A South semifinals.

Nygren scored three times in a win over Bonny Eagle, had a goal in a key win over Cheverus, scored twice in a victory over Windham, had a goal as Scarborough avenged last year’s playoff loss with a win over Thornton Academy, scored the tying goal in an overtime victory at Westbrook, had two goals in a win over Sanford and had a goal in a regular season-ending win over Noble.

The Red Storm stretched their win streak to 13 with a victory over Biddeford in the quarterfinals (Nygren had a goal and an assist), then were ousted in the semifinals at Marshwood.

Nygren finished the season with 16 goals and six assists and scored 57 goals for her career, which is second in program annals to 2008 and 2009 Athlete of the Year Brittany Ross.

Nygren made a lasting name for herself and earned the affection of her teammates for not giving in to bigger players and scoring timely goals.

“I’m not intimidated by bigger players because I grew up with two older brothers who threw me around,” Nygren said. “I had to prove myself because I’m small, but I made up for it with my speed and stick skills.”

Nygren is also an ice hockey standout and plays lacrosse in the spring. She is a member of Scarborough’s Key Club, raised cancer awareness with “Storm for a Cure” and is the treasurer of the senior class and National Honor Society. She wants to play field hockey in college, where she plans to go pre-med.

A memorable player will no longer take the field in a Red Storm uniform, but Lily Nygren, Scarborough’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, made an oversized impact on a powerhouse program.

Coach Kerry Mariello’s comment: “Lily is a tremendous talent who is committed to all areas of her game. Her gritty, high intensity play gave her an edge in so many situations, leaving opponents frustrated and in disarray. Lily brought so many components to our program and defines our team motto, ‘Hustle and Heart Is What Sets Us Apart.’ She is an excellent field hockey player, leader, role model, friend and scholar and everything she does is done to the best of her ability, but in the most dignified and positive way. She will go down as one of Scarborough field hockey’s greatest.”

Prior winners:

2015 Emily Hanson (volleyball)

2014 Kristen Murray (field hockey)

2013 Abby Mills (volleyball)

2012 Sarah Martens (soccer)

2011 Brittany Bona (volleyball)

2010 Cortney Hughes (soccer)

2009 Brittany Ross (field hockey)

2008 Brittany Ross (field hockey)

2007 Sarah Bonenfant (field hockey)

2006 Erica Jesseman (cross country)

2005 Liz Houle (soccer)

2004 Caitlin Albert (field hockey)

2003 Zaria Udeh (soccer)

2002 Caitlin Neelon (field hockey)

2001 Maureen McHugh (soccer)

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

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