Waynflete Flyers Fall Athletes of the Year

FALL 2011 MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:

DANIEL WIENER, Senior-Soccer

* Western C regional all-star

* WMC All-Star, Class C first team

* Captain

The Class C state champion Waynflete boys’ soccer team had plenty of heroes, but it’s backbone rarely got in the scoring column.

As a captain, defensive stalwart and free kick specialist, Daniel Wiener stood tall and it was fitting that he put the ball in play that wound up deciding the state championship.

For being a great team leader, clutch player and poised veteran, Daniel Wiener is The Forecaster’s choice for Waynflete’s Fall 2011 Male Athlete of the Year.

Wiener lives in Brunswick. He started soccer at a young age, coached by his father. He’s played several years of premier soccer and didn’t come to Waynflete until his sophomore year, but he made the most of his time in green and white, consistently helping to shut down the opposition.

Wiener’s sophomore and junior seasons came to agonizing ends with playoff losses to Georges Valley and rival North Yarmouth Academy and he and his senior teammates knew that it was now or never this fall.

Wiener (the team’s lone captain for a time before being joined by Mitch Newlin) got to experience how the other half lives Sept. 26 versus Wells, when he scored three times, but he was most dominant on defense.

The Flyers allowed only 13 goals in 18 games (four of which came in the team’s lone loss, to Fryeburg) and Wiener was a big reason why, using his smarts, foot skills and physicality to frustrate many of the finest scorers in the conference.

While Waynflete had a great regular season, it knew it needed a championship to really cement its legacy. That title would come, but not easily.

After blanking Wiscasset in the quarterfinals (Wiener assisted on the first goal), the Flyers had to go to penalty kicks in the semifinals before surviving Hall-Dale (Wiener converted his opportunity to help win the shootout, 4-2). Waynflete then got past NYA in the regional final to set up a state championship game showdown with Houlton.

The game was deadlocked at 1-1 in the first overtime when Wiener’s 30-yard blast came oh-so-close to winning it before being tipped away by the Shiretowners’ goalkeeper. Then, in the second OT, Wiener took a free kick that bounced off a pair of teammates right to the feet of senior William Cleaves, who delivered the long awaited Class C crown.

Wiener has also been a key cog at longstick middie on the boys’ lacrosse team, is an avid skier and is in the middle of the college process. He wants to keep playing soccer at the next level and is looking at schools out west. He also volunteers reading to students at Reiche School.

He’ll long be remembered as a huge contributor to a timeless team. Daniel Wiener, Waynflete’s Fall 2011 Male Athlete of the Year, was a captain and a champion in every sense of the words.

Coach Brandon Salway’s comment: “Daniel was a rock for us this year. Actually, for the last three years. He’s always marked the opponents’ top player and in our league, that’s no easy task. We moved him around so he could eliminate or neutralize our opponents’ most dangerous players. He’s tough and physical, but also very skilled. He was committed to the team and was always willing to take on a less glamorous position or task for the team. He was excellent at playing deep kicks into the box. He displayed terrific leadership. He’s a special player and quality person who contributed a great deal to our program.”

2010 winner: Tucker Geoffroy (Soccer)

2009 winner: Chris Gillespie (Soccer)

2008 winner: Josh Bloom (Soccer)

2007 winner: Tristan Corriveau (Soccer)

2006 winner: Tristan Corriveau (Soccer)

2005 winner: Dan Black (Soccer)

2004 winner: Matt Lacasse (Soccer)

FALL 2011 FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:

BECKY SMITH, Senior-Soccer

* Western C regional all-star

* WMC All-Star, Class C first-team

* WMC All-Academic team

* Captain

It’s one thing to be a goal scorer. It’s another entirely when everyone expects you to be the top weapon and opposing defenses in the best soccer conference in the state are trying to stop you.

That’s the predicament that Becky Smith found herself every time she took the pitch this fall, but she finished her high school career in style, scoring many times, including a landmark tally, while leading her team to another strong season.

For being one of the state’s best players, a maestro with the ball on her feet and a quiet leader who carried the Flyers to the verge of the state final, Becky Smith is The Forecaster’s choice for Waynflete’s Fall 2011 Female Athlete of the Year.

Smith started playing soccer at a young age and honed her game with the Seacoast United premier team. She came to Waynflete for the sixth garde and was a four-year member of the varsity girls’ soccer team. She was part of a state champion as a freshman and did her best to get back to the pinnacle, but the Flyers fell short her sophomore and junior years.

This season, Waynflete was solid throughout and Smith had plenty of highlights. She set the tone with four goals in the second game of the season, a win over Old Orchard Beach. Smith then scored twice versus NYA, had the overtime game winner against Richmond, two goals against Traip, two more against Freeport, three versus Old Orchard Beach, one with two assists versus Sacopee and two in a second win over NYA.

The fun continued in the playoffs. Smith had a goal and an assist in a quarterfinal round win over Hall-Dale, then scored the lone goal to beat Old Orchard Beach in the semifinals.

That wasn’t just another goal either. It was the 50th of Smith’s career.

Unfortunately, it would prove to be the last as despite some good opportunities, neither Smith or teammates could score in a heartbreaking regional final overtime loss to St. Dom’s.

Smith plays for the Seacoast United premier team, also runs Operation Smile, a non-profit which helps children get cleft palate surgery, is part of the Waynflete yearbook, enjoys waterskiing and squash and is a sailing instructor. She’s looking at her college options, but wants to play soccer and pursue something math-related.

Becky Smith, Waynflete’s Fall 2011 Female Athlete of the Year, posted a memorable number of goals in her stellar career. She’ll long be remembered for what she brought to the program.

Coach Todd Dominski’s comment: “Becky can just do anything out there. She’s got a great shot. She has the ability to set her teammates up. She sees the field well. She has all those attributes you look for. She doesn’t try to overdo it. She opens lanes up for other people. Other teams focus on her and all of sudden, her teammates are free. That allows us to get the ball wide. She still scores her goals too. She’s special.”

2010 winner: Lindsey Sinicki (Field hockey)

2009 winner: Amy Allen (Cross country)

2008 winner: Adele Espy (Cross country)

2007 winner: Adele Espy (Cross country)

2006 winner: Alex Woodhouse (Soccer)

2005 winner: Tess Crain (Cross country)

2004 winner: Anina Hewey (Soccer)

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