Spring 2010 Male Athlete of the Year:

NICK WHITTAKER, Senior—Baseball

* WMC Class B Player of the Year

* WMC All-Conference, first team

* Senior All-Star

Nick Whittaker entered his senior season expecting to be Yarmouth’s ace pitcher. He certainly lived up to billing on that count, but proved to be much more.

Whittaker also featured a potent bat, rose to the occasion from start to finish and helped the Clippers to their finest season since joining Class B a decade ago.

For delivering key hits, making opposing hitters look foolish and playing an integral role in a program’s rise to greatness, Nick Whittaker gets The Forecaster’s nod as Yarmouth’s Spring 2010 Male Athlete of the Year.

Whittaker grew up in Yarmouth, started playing in the third grade, pitching in the fourth grade and played three years of varsity ball with the Clippers. Prior to the 2010 campaign, Whittaker played fall ball for the first time, working with former Deering coach Mike D’Andrea, who changed his mechanics to help him throw harder and locate better.

It worked as Whittaker won seven of eight decision this spring, fanning 67 hitters in 47.1 innings. If that wasn’t enough, he swung a dangerous bat as well, hitting .453 with 24 hits, five home runs and 27 RBI as a first baseman and designated hitter.

Highlights included a three-hit, three RBI and two-hit shutout performance in a 10-0 victory over Fryeburg in the opener, a two-run home run and nine strikeouts in a win over Lake Region, a longball in a victory against Freeport, two hits, including a triple, versus Poland, three hits, three RBI and a seven-strikeout victory over York, 11 strikeouts against rival Falmouth, a game-winning double against defending state champion Greely and a home run and four-inning shutout effort against North Yarmouth Academy.

In the playoffs, Whittaker earned the win in the quarterfinals against Gray-New Gloucester with a nine-K performance and a two-run home run. He had a pair of hits in a victory over Lincoln Academy in the semifinals, then held Cape Elizabeth scoreless for five innings in the regional final before the Capers finally got to him and ended the Clipprers memorable campaign at 17-2 with a 5-1 decision.

For his career, Whittaker went 19-5 with 149 strikeouts on the hill.

Whittaker, who also played soccer at Yarmouth, is playing American Legion ball this summer. He’s an avid golfer, who was also part of Yarmouth’s Interact Club. He’ll attend St. Joseph’s College in the fall, his first college choice, and will look to make a mark at the next level.

You have to like his chances. Nick Whittaker, Yarmouth’s Spring 2010 Male Athlete of the Year, had a senior season to remember and was an ace and a clutch hitter that won’t soon be forgotten.

Coach Marc Halsted’s comment: “First and foremost, Nick is an excellent human being. He does well in school, stays out of trouble and has dedicated himself to being a successful athlete. He helped lead this program from 11th place when he was a freshman on the JV team in 2007 to second in 2010. He has a lot to be proud of and is a big reason we have become a legitimate competitive program. I’m personally very proud to say I’ve known and coached him. He’ll be sincerely missed..”

2009 winner: Rob Highland (Lacrosse)

2008 winner: Robb Arndt (Baseball)

2007 winner: Jon Poole (Lacrosse)

2006 winner: Hans Tobiason (Lacrosse)

2005 winner: Chris Hichborn (Lacrosse)

2004 winner: Jon Miller (Lacrosse)

2003 winner: Jared Harriman (Lacrosse)

2002 winner: Tim Kjeldgaard (Lacrosse)

Spring 2010 Female Athlete of the Year:

DANIELLE TORRES, Junior—Lacrosse

* All-American

* WMC All-Conference, first team

* Team MVP

There have been an abundance of fantastic players who have worn the blue and white of the Yarmouth Clippers over the years. The latest in that line has already enjoyed great success and acclaim and figures to have plenty more to come.

Danielle Torres is more than a goal scorer and one of the most prolific talents in the state. She’s also a great teammate and an impressive and thoughtful young lady who has earned plenty of respect from teammate and foe alike.

After yet another stellar campaign which saw her selected as one of the top four players in the state, Danielle Torres is The Forecaster’s choice for Yarmouth’s Spring 2010 Female Athlete of the Year.

Torres grew up in Yarmouth, a longtime lacrosse hotbed, where young girls pick up a stick early and learn the game, dreaming of stealing headlines once they reach high school. Torres started playing in elementary school and has played three years with the varsity team, was an All-American honorable mention as a sophomore and had many bright moments in 2010.

In the season opener, a closer-than-expected 13-11 victory at York, Torres helped save the day with a seven-goal uprising. The next time out, the Clippers downed fierce rival North Yarmouth Academy, thanks in part to Torres’ four goals and eight ground balls. She had four goals against Greely, three versus Cape Elizabeth, four against Freeport and five versus Marshwood. In an 11-6 victory at NYA, Torres scored three times. She then had five goals and eight ground balls in a win over Falmouth.

In the semifinal round of the playoffs, Torres scored three times in an easy win over Gardiner. She added one more in a regional final loss to NYA.

For the season, Torres had 51 goals, added 12 assists, 58 ground balls, 47 draw control wins and 18 caused turnovers. For her career, Torres has 82 goals, 29 assists and 110 ground balls.

She was named first team all-conference and garnered one of Maine’s four All-American spots.

Torres, who also plays soccer, is involved in showcase camps and the college selection process, recently spending time at a camp in Rhode Island. She’s a member of the school newspaper and Global Action Club, volunteers and visits with the elderly.

Bets of all, she still has a year left to lead her team to glory. With Danielle Torres, Yarmouth’s Spring 2010 Female Athlete of the Year, leading the way, the Clippers can expect great things in 2011.

Coach Dorothy Holt’s comment: “”Danielle is just an amazing player to coach. She gives 100 percent in practice and in the games. She’s a true team player on and off the field. She has the drive and determination to keep improving her game and getting her team to the next level. Every coach should be lucky enough to have Danielle on their team.”

2009 winner: Haley Knaub (Track)

2008 winner: Nicole Grover (Lacrosse)

2007 winner: Laurie Baker (Lacrosse)

2006 winner: Emily Johnson (Lacrosse)

2005 winner: Chrissie Attura (Lacrosse)

2004 winner: Louise Taylor (Tennis)

2003 winner: Louise Taylor (Tennis)

2002 winner: Christine Clancy (Tennis)

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