MALE:

JACK SNYDER, Senior-Football

• Campbell Conference Class C all-star

• Captain

Snyder came into his own this year, was superb in the biggest games and helped Yarmouth reach the Class C Final.

Snyder, who grew up in Yarmouth, started playing football in the fifth grade. Snyder learned the varsity ropes from the likes of former Clippers standouts Matthew Klepinger, Thomas Lord and Matt Woodbury. He was named a Campbell Conference all-star as a junior and this year, produced plenty of memories.

Snyder had two touchdowns in a season-opening win over Lake Region, produced over 200 all-purpose yards and scored three times against Mountain Valley, scored three times in a thrilling come-from-behind win over Cape Elizabeth and had a TD run and reception as Yarmouth finished perfect by beating Freeport.

He continued to answer the bell in the playoffs, rushing for 89 yards and two TDs, returning a kickoff for a score and intercepting a pass in a quarterfinal round win over Mountain Valley, catching three touchdowns and rushing for two more in a semifinal round victory over Fryeburg, then scoring twice in a come-from-behind victory over Wells in the regional final.

“We were used to being the underdogs, but Coach (Jason Veilleux) prepared us to play with the target on our back this year,” Snyder said. “Winning those Wells and Cape games in the regular season helped.”

Snyder said he was motivated by his senior running mates, Cody Cook and Lucas Uhl.

“I wanted to be as good as Cody and Lucas,” Snyder said. “I feel comfortable with the ball in my hands.”

Snyder is also a swimmer (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly) and plays catcher in baseball. He participates in Youth Court, a non-profit, and hopes to play football somewhere in New England next year.

Never underestimate the determination of Jack Snyder, Yarmouth’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year. He emerged as a star when his team needed him most and his best days are still to come.

Coach Jason Veilleux’s comment: “Since I’ve known Jack, he has always been a fierce competitor. Sometimes even to the point where he gets competitive with his own teammates. Jack is the type of kid who always wants the ball in his hands, not because he’s trying to increase his stats, but because he wants to do everything he possibly can to help his team win. Since I have known Jack, he’s been an outstanding three-sport athlete and his athletic ability shows on the football field, whether he’s making a big run, a diving catch or a bone-crushing tackle. Jack simply comes through for us when we need a big play. Jack has a great work ethic, is highly coachable and is a smart football player. He’s been a two-year captain for us, a two-year all-star and just a tremendous leader on the field. Any coach would love to have a player of Jack’s ability, competitive drive and work ethic. I could not be any prouder of him. Just an outstanding student-athlete and an even better young man.”

Prior winners:

2014 Adam LaBrie (soccer)

2013 Chandler Smith (soccer)

2012 Red DeSmith (golf)

2011 Chris Knaub (soccer)

2010 Luke Pierce (soccer)

2009 Eric Estabrook (football)

2008 Johnny Murphy (soccer)

2007 Johnny Murphy (soccer)

2006 Cody Lapointe (soccer)

2005 Tim Murphy (soccer)

2004 Justin Morrill (soccer)

2003 Pat Gildart (soccer)

2002 Greg Abbot (soccer)

2001 Eoin Lynch (soccer)

FEMALE:

TORI MESSINA, Senior-Field hockey

• All-State

• WMC Division I all-star, first-team

Messina was the last line of defense for a Clippers squad which exceeded expectations. She stood tallest in the biggest games and for her efforts, was recognized as one of the state’s finest players.

Messina started playing field hockey in middle school, then, as a sophomore, was asked to step in as the goalie despite having no experience.

“It was frustrating at first,” Messina said. “I was very hard on myself.”

Things quickly improved and by her junior season, Messina was named an all-state goalie as she helped the Clippers reach the Western C semifinals.

This fall, Messina was honored again and led Yarmouth to 11 victories and the No. 2 seed in Class B South in the team’s first year back at that level.

Messina posted six shutouts and had arguably her finest showing against eventual repeat Class B champion York, making 13 huge saves.

“I was unsure what would happen this year without Kallie (Hutchinson, Yarmouth’s 2014 Fall Female Athlete of the year), but we started to mesh and it all came together,” Messina said. “My teammates pushed me. I didn’t want to be the reason we lost. I’m hard on myself. I love the competitive aspect of field hockey and having my teammates around me.”

Messina also plays outfield for the reigning Class B champion Yarmouth softball team, is an avid writer and belongs to Yarmouth’s Ping Pong Club.

Tori Messina, Yarmouth’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, has shown she can accept any challenge and make the most of it. The Clippers’ success this fall was due in large part to her excellence in goal.

Coach Mandy Lewis’ comment: “Tori filled a huge role for us in 2013 when she agreed to try being a varsity goalie. However, that wasn’t the greatest role that she filled. Tori became the cornerstone of our defense and the heart of our team. She inspired players around her to play their best and encouraged enjoyment of the game. Her role was far-reaching, from her commitment to the teammates standing beside her to the youth players who pick up a stick for the first time. As a coach, it was exciting to see her skills develop and it was even more exciting to see the way that she positively impacted her teammates. She is going to be incredibly missed in the Yarmouth field hockey family.”

Prior winners:

2014 Kallie Hutchinson (field hockey)

2013 Grace Mallett (volleyball)

2012 Monica Austin (golf)

2011 Suzanne Driscoll (volleyball)

2010 Natalie Salmon (soccer)

2009 Kate Darrell (volleyball)

2008 Mariah Martin (field hockey)

2007 Anna Makaretz (cross country)

2006 Nicole Simmonds (soccer)

2005 Shannon Gildart (soccer)

2004 Melissa Moylan (soccer)

2003 Stephanie Whittaker (soccer)

2002 Karen Thorp (cross country)

2001 Danielle McGee (field hockey)

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

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