2012-13 Winter Male Athlete of the Year:

JERRY GRAVEL, Senior-Swimming

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CITATIONS

· Outstanding boys’ Performer, Class A state meet

· Class A state champion, 200 IM (state record)

· Class A state champion, 100 breaststroke (state record)

· All-State, first-team, IM

· All-State, first-team, breaststroke

· All-State, first-team, 200 medley relay

· All-State, first-team, 400 freestyle relay

· All-Conference, first-team, IM

· All-Conference, first-team, breaststroke

· All-Conference, first-team, medley relay

· All-Conference, first-team, 400 free relay

Gravel followed in the footsteps of his brothers Kip and Robby and raised the bar this winter, etching his own name into the record books and the list of all-time Red Storm greats.

Gravel grew up in Scarborough and started chasing his brothers in the pool at the age of 4. He quickly became a standout at the youth level. He joined the Scarborough varsity as a freshman and won the backstroke at Southwesterns and, with his brothers, was part of a state champion medley relay squad. Gravel only competed with his club team as a sophomore and junior, but like Robby did in winning Scarborough’s 2009-10 Winter Male Athlete of the Year award, came back to high school competition for his senior campaign and dazzled.

Gravel set a pool record and school record in the backstroke in the opener, a narrow win over defending and eventual Class B champion Greely. He added a pool record in the 200 individual medley the next week at Cape Elizabeth. Despite hurting his hand, he remained a top threat and led the Red Storm to a solid regular season, inspiring his teammates with his performance.

“Jerry’s success didn’t happen overnight,” said Scarbrough coach Eric French. “He was a solid swimmer freshmen year, but not the best. There were others who were faster. He took two years off from high school to focus on his club team and goals he made for himself. He came back this year a lot faster and a more focused athlete. Our only loss this year was to (Class A champion) Cheverus. Without him we do not beat Cape, Greely, Deering or maybe even Falmouth.”

As the greats tend to do, Gravel was at his finest in February in the postseason.

At Southwesterns, Gravel broke Robby’s record in winning the IM (1 minute, 57.11 seconds) and placed second in the backstroke (losing to Cheverus Winter Male Athlete of the Year Trebor Lawton). At states, Gravel set a new state record in winning the IM in 1:53.07 and did the same in the breaststroke (57.83 seconds).

”I’m very happy with my season,” said Gravel. “I didn’t expect to do so well. I’m glad I came back like Robby did. It was a lot of fun. I really love the people I swim with. I want to be the best. Winning’s a pretty good feeling. Losing to Trebor at Southwesterns really motivated me to get the state records.”

Gravel is also an avid ultimate frisbee player. He will join Kip at LaSalle University in Philadelphia next year, where plans to study business and swim the IM and backstroke.

Talk about going out in style. Jerry Gravel made his senior season triumphant and record setting and figures to have much glory in his future.

Coach Eric French’s comment: “Jerry had a great season and it showed at states with two records. He was like a coach in the water for us. Kids worked harder because they wanted to have that type of speed. He also had a fun side which would lighten the mood. He was the difference maker. He was our state champion. He helped put Scarborough back on the map as a strong contender.h

2011-12 winner: Alec James (Track)

2010-11 winner: Mike Cyr (Wrestling)

2009-10 winner: Robby Gravel (Swimming)

2008-09 winner: Brad Nakanishi (Track)

2007-08 winner: Chris Hughes (Basketball)

2006-07 winner: Brent Mayo (Hockey)

2005-06 winner: Doug Endrizzi (Swimming)

2004-05 winner: Andrew Rogers (Swimming)

2003-04 winner: Mike Walker (Basketball)

2002-03 winner: Ryan Colpitts (Basketball)

2001-02 winner: Sean Flaherty (Swimming)

2012-13 Winter Female Athlete of the Year

DEVAN KANE, Senior-Hockey

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CITATIONS

· West Region all-star, first-team, goalie

Kane was superb in goal this year for a Scarborough team which wound up an overtime goal shy of a state championship. Her work ethic, combined with an ability to enjoy the moment, served her well and she was as good as the state of Maine produced this season.

Kane grew up in Scarborough, but didn’t even learn to skate until middle school. She began playing goalie at the age of 12 on her travel team and quickly embraced the pressure. She honed her skills in the offseason and began starting for the Red Storm as a freshman (allowing just over a goal a game while saving 94 percent of the shots she faced). After Scarborough suffered a pair of early and painful playoff losses her freshman and sophomore seasons, Kane and the Red Storm were close to perfect this winter.

Kane (who had a 0.83 goals against average and stopped 95.3 percent of the shots she faced as a sophomore) was simply unbeatable the first seven games this winter, not allowing a single goal as Scarborough raced to a quick start. She finally allowed two in a tie against Greely, but made 38 saves in the process. The Red Storm’s lone regular season loss came in overtime at York, but Kane stopped 23 shots along the way. She made 18 saves in a palpitating overtime win over Leavitt/EL, 17 against Gorham and 30 versus Falmouth.

Scarborough entered the playoffs with the albatross of its recent losses, but Kane and her teammates weren’t about to settle for anything short of a trip to the state game. In the semifinals, a 6-1 win over Cheverus, Kane stopped 12 of 13 shots. In a 1-0 regional final victory over York, Kane helped the Red Storm avenge its lone regular season loss with 13 more saves. Then came the state game, where Kane made 39 saves on 40 shots, but unfortunately for Scarborough, the one goal came in overtime and the Red Storm lost to repeat champion Greely, 1-0.

For the year, Kane had a save average of .972 and a goals against average of just over a half goal per contest. She takes a unique approach to the crucible of her position.

“Sometimes I laugh when I give up a goal,’ said Kane. “But my coaches usually get mad at me when I do that.”

Kane’s high school season ended with the loss to Greely, but she then backstopped the Portland Junior Pirates to state and New England titles. She credits her coaches, family and teammates for her success and wants nothing more than to finish the job next season and graduate as state champion. She hopes to play in college and is in the selection process.

She has what it takes to continue to star. Devan Kane had a marvelous season and was clearly the gold standard at her position.

Coach Caitlin Cashman’s comment: “Devan is the backbone of our team, always ready to come out play hard and give 110 percent for her teammates. She’s a humble kid. Although there has been much press about her, she always keeps a level head, works hard and takes direction well from coaches. The key to her success is a combination of sheer talent, strong work ethic, competitive attitude and a love, passion and respect for the game.g

2011-12 winner: Emily Tolman (Track)

2010-11 winner: Emilia Scheemaker (Track)

2009-10 winner: Laura Flewelling (Swimming)

2008-09 winner: Reegan Brackett (Basketball)

2007-08 winner: Nicole Harmon (Swimming)

2006-07 winner: Kaitlynn Saldanha (Track)

2005-06 winner: Erica Jesseman (Track)

2004-05 winner: Jenn Flaherty (Swimming)

2003-04 winner: Sarah Mills (Hockey)

2002-03 winner: Jenn Flaherty (Swimming)

2001-02 winner: Mandi Rapisardi (Basketball)

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

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