Male:

NATE HOWARD, Senior—Lacrosse

• Bob Scott Award winner
  

• SMAA all-star, second-team

• SMAA All-Academic team

• Senior All-Star

Howard made the successful Red Storm go in so many ways and it was fitting that as a faceoff specialist, he was so often front and center.

Howard played a progressively bigger role for a Scarborough team which won Class A titles his freshman and sophomore seasons and was very much in the mix the other two.

Howard earned notice for his ability to win possession in a sport in which having the ball means everything. Over three years, Howard won 159 faceoffs and collected 195 ground balls.

After being named a first-team league all-star as a junior, this spring, Howard scored six goals and had 14 assists, giving him 21 goals and 34 assists for his career. He had two assists in a win over Portland, won 7 of 10 faceoffs and had six ground balls against eventual Class B champion Cape Elizabeth and had an assist and won 8 of 15 faceoffs against defending Class A champ South Portland. Howard bowed out with nine faceoff wins, six ground balls and an assist in a semifinal round playoff loss to Thornton Academy.

As impressive as Howard’s play was on the field, it’s his leadership that sets him apart. Howard went directly from Scarborough High School to the U.S. Naval Academy. He possesses traits of leadership and character rarely seen in anyone his age.

Howard was given the Bob Scott Award by US Lacrosse following the season. That award goes to a player who goes above and beyond in service to his team, school and community, exemplifying the fundamentals of lacrosse, working hard to improve and being a leader on and off the field.

It’s likely that Howard was one of the easier selections US Lacrosse had to make in recent years.

The Red Storm have produced an abundance of special student-athletes over the years, but Nate Howard, Scarborough’s Spring Male Athlete of the Year, stands apart. His combination of athleticism and quality of character won’t be seen again.

Coach Joe Hezlep’s comment: “Nathan has been a model Scarborough lacrosse player and has set a standard for how to get better day in and day out He’s not the biggest player around, but that has never stopped him from taking on any challenge. He has taken an uncommon path. Since the seventh grade, he had a mission to attend the United States Naval Academy and did everything necessary to make that a reality. Nathan truly is a special kid and he has set a shining example of what it means to be a Scarborough lacrosse player.”

Previous winners:

2014 Ben Greenberg (baseball)

2013 John Wheeler (lacrosse)

2012 Ben Wessel (baseball)

2011 Ben Wessel (baseball)

2010 Nick Neugebauer (lacrosse)

2009 Chris Bernard (baseball)

2008 Ryan Hunt (lacrosse)

2007 Phil Lambert (lacrosse)

2006 Bryan Macphie (lacrosse)

2005 David Hamilton (lacrosse)

2004 David Hamilton (lacrosse)

2003 Adam Mumm (track)

2002 Keith Corey (track)

Female:

MEGAN NATHANSON, Junior-Tennis

• SMAA All-Conference, first-team, singles

• Captain

Nathanson was almost unbeatable this spring and helped the Red Storm to a memorable season.

Nathanson grew up in Scarborough and started playing tennis in middle school. She was involved with cheering for awhile, then gave that up to focus on tennis. Nathanson played third singles as a freshman, then moved to the number one spot as a sophomore. She was named to the league all-star team.

Nathanson remained in the top spot this year and despite going up against many of the state’s best players, won every match but one, losing only to Portland standout Margot Andreasen. Nathanson then reached the round of 16 in the singles tournament. Scarborough wasn’t expected to make a deep playoff run, but Nathanson downed Eva Sachs of Thornton Academy and Windham’s Julia Richardson to help the Red Storm win quarterfinal and semifinal round matches and reach the regional final. There, Scarborough met its match in the form of unbeatable champion Falmouth and Nathanson lost to three-time singles champion Olivia Leavitt.

“I knew we could do it,” Nathanson said. “We showed a lot of improvement. Falmouth was too tough, but I was proud we got that far.”

Nathanson added that she is committed to getting even better.

“There are always ways to improve,” Nathanson said. “That motivates me and makes me come back for more. I love the team aspect of tennis. We all get along really well.”

Nathanson is also a member of the Environmental Club of Scarborough and Interact Club. She travelled to Greece and will be playing in tournaments this summer. Nathanson aims to advance deeper in the singles tournament and enjoy another strong season as a senior, then she hopes to play tennis in college.

This is one player that keeps getting stronger. For Megan Nathanson, Scarborough’s Spring Female Athlete of the Year, the sky appears to be the limit.

Coach Steve Eddy’s comment: “It’s every coach’s wish to have someone as talented and driven as Megan playing for them, especially in the number one singles spot, where a win can often set the tone for the match. I don’t lightly give out the captaincy, but Megan will enter her senior year as the only three-year captain our team’s ever had. She’s a good leader, has a great attitude and a respectful, calm demeanor and sets a great example. What stands out the most to me is her drive to get better and how coachable she is. She listens to and implements strategy during matches and is always working to improve to her shot-making and overall game. Each year she gets better and adds a new weapon or two in her arsenal of shots. I’m looking forward to her senior year.”

Previous winners:

2014 Alyssa Williamson (softball)

2013 Marisa O’Toole (softball)

2012 Nicole Kirk (track)

2011 Nicole Kirk (track)

2010 Heather Carrier (softball)

2009 Ellie Morin (lacrosse)

2008 Melissa Dellatorre (softball)

2007 Kelsey Griffin (softball)

2006 Lauren Hagerman (lacrosse)

2005 Camille Jania (tennis)

2004 Sarah Marchilli (softball)

2003 Chelsey Ledue (track)

2002 Jen Williams (softball)

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

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