Waynflete Flyers

2009-10 Winter Male Athlete of the Year:

NATE NILES, Senior-Nordic Skiing

• * Class C state champion, classic

• * Western Maine Conference all-star, first team

• * WMC All-Academic team

Waynflete has produced its share of first-rate skiers in recent seasons. Nate Niles is the latest superstar to wear green and white.

Niles capped his stellar Flyers career this winter with another series of strong performances, earning recognition as one of the best Nordic standouts in the state regardless of class.

For being consistently strong, knowing when to turn it up a notch and for leading by example, Nate Niles is The Forecaster’s choice as Waynflete’s 2009-10 Winter Male Athlete of the Year.

Niles started skiing early, began racing in middle school, progressively got more interested in the sport (his coach estimated Niles trains over 400 hours a year) and by the time he came to Waynflete as a freshman, was ready to make a mark. Niles proved to be a worthy successor to the likes of Lucas Milliken and Tom Reagan and helped the Flyers win a Class C state championship in his first two seasons.

This winter, Niles was steady throughout, competing against many of the best skiers in the state. At the Western Maine Conference championships, he placed third in the freestyle.

At the Class C state meet, Niles was runner-up in the freestyle, then capped his season in style by winning the classic race by almost 12 seconds. Waynflete finished fifth as a team.

Niles went on to compete at the Eastern High School Championships, where he was runner-up in the sprint, 20th in the freestyle and 22nd in the classic, good for 11th overall.

Niles has also run some cross country in his time at the school and will focus on leading the Flyers to another state title in tennis this spring. He plans to ski in college, will likely stay in New England and is undecided on a major.

Another superb Flyers skiing career has come to a close. Nate Niles, Waynflete’s 2009-10 Winter Male Athlete of the Year, will long be remembered for his skill, focus and ability to accomplish great things.

Coach Wyatt Dumas’ comment: “Nate is the consummate athlete. He does everything that he can in order to perform in competitions. He’s considerate of others, was an invaluable role model for the ambitious younger athletes on the team and is extremely well-informed. His technique is nearly perfect and holds up well under the stress of our three-mile races. He can be one of the top college athletes next year if he puts his mind to it. He keeps the atmosphere light and fun even while he’s focused on his goals.”

2008-09 winner: Hassan Jeylani (Basketball)

2007-08 winner: Tom Reagan (Nordic skiing)

2006-07 winner: Lucas Milliken (Nordic skiing)

2005-06 winner: Lucas Milliken (Nordic skiing)

2004-05 winner: David Wells (Swimming)

2003-04 winner: Jeff Bates (Nordic skiing)

 

2009-10 Winter Female Athlete of the Year:

MORGAN WOODHOUSE, Senior-Basketball

• * Bob Butler Award winner

• * Miss Maine Basketball semifinalist

• * WMC All-Conference, first team

• * WMC All-Academic team

• * WMC Senior All-Star

• * Maine McDonald’s Senior All-Star

If the Waynflete girls’ basketball team needed a clutch basket, Morgan Woodhouse delivered. If the Flyers needed a rebound, or a blocked shot, or a steal or an assist, Morgan Woodhouse got it done. For four years, the fortunes of the program were closely tied to the ever-increasing skills of one of the best players to ever wear green and white and time after time after time, Morgan Woodhouse came through.

This winter was a unique challenge. After falling in the regional final a year ago, Waynflete was hit hard by graduation and while there was some promising young talent on the roster, Woodhouse was really the lone player who had been through the battles. It turned out that she’s a pretty impressive leader as well.

Some how, some way, the Flyers almost matched their record of 2008-09 and improbably made it back to the regional final, thanks in large part to Woodhouse’s heroics, actions that earned her a series of impressive postseason accolades.

Now it’s time for one more. One that is long overdue. In light of her brilliance, Morgan Woodhouse is The Forecaster’s choice for Waynflete’s 2009-10 Winter Female Athlete of the Year.

Woodhouse is a Waynflete lifer and while soccer is her number one sport, she quickly took to basketball after starting to play in middle school. Early in her high school career, she showed flashes of greatness, but was still rough around the edges. Her size and instincts allowed her to get by, but she really became a force her junior season, when she got the Flyers to within a basket of a first-ever Class C state final.

This year was one of myriad highlights. Woodhouse had 13 points, seven rebounds and five steals in a loss to Fryeburg, 22 points against Falmouth, 27 points, 10 boards and six steals against Old Orchard Beach, 17 points versus Traip, 21 in a rematch with Old Orchard, 20 versus Sacopee, 19 points and 13 rebounds against Hebron, 22 versus NYA, 26 against Hyde and a season-high 38 in a win over Wells, including the 1,000th of her career. Woodhouse closed the regular season with 22 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Greater Portland Christian School.

She was just as dazzling in the playoffs.

In a quarterfinal round victory over St. Dom’s, Woodhouse had 27 points and 15 rebounds. In the semifinals, a dramatic overtime win over Hall-Dale, she had 16 points, 14 rebounds, eight blocks and six steals. She also hit some clutch free throws (a one-time bugaboo) to seal the victory. The Flyers dream died with a regional final loss to Madison, but Woodhouse bowed out with 16 points.

For the season, Woodhouse led the Western Maine Conference with 21 points per contest. She also led in steals (5.5) and was fourth in rebounds (11). She was named the Bob Butler Award winner and was a semifinalist for Miss Maine Basketball.

Woodhouse plays soccer year-round with Maine Metro and will look to lead the Waynflete girls’ lacrosse juggernaut to a third straight championships this spring. Next year, she plans to play soccer and possibly basketball in college. Her destination at press time was unknown. She may study writing or Spanish.

There simply aren’t enough accolades to accurately relate just how much Morgan Woodhouse, Waynflete’s 2009-10 Winter Female Athlete of the Year, did for her team the past four years, especially this one. It’s safe to say that there won’t be another player like her for a long, long time.

Coach Brandon Salway’s comment: “Morgan’s been great. She’s always been a great ambassador for the school. She’s been the face of Waynflete sports for the past four years. She’s a fierce competitor, but always displayed excellent sportsmanship. I’ve coached basketball for 21 years. No player plays with more intensity and a desire to win than Morgan. She wowed people at the Augusta Civic Center with how dominant she is defending, blocking, stealing. Her leadership has been great. The younger kids look up to her. ”

2008-09 winner: Annie Cutler (Basketball)

2007-08 winner: Margaret Veroneau (Basketball)

2006-07 winner: Margaret Veroneau (Basketball)

2005-06 winner: Margaret Veroneau (Basketball)

2004-05 winner: Holly Whitney (Nordic skiing)

2003-04 winner: Betsy Critchfield (Nordic skiing)

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