Conrad

Conrad

Egan

Egan

Male:

WALTER CONRAD, Senior-Hockey

* Evans Spear Award winner

* Class B South Defenseman of the Month, December

* Class B South Defenseman of the Month, January

* Class B South Defenseman of the Year

* Class B South all-star, first-team

* All-Academic team

* Senior All-Star

* Captain

Conrad bounced back from an injury-ridden fall season to cap his career with a brilliant effort that helped restore a proud program to dominance.

Conrad grew up in Yarmouth equally loving soccer and hockey. While Yarmouth’s soccer program has been at the top of the heap for years, the Clippers hockey program had fallen off from the glory years and Conrad played a key role in bringing Yarmouth back.

Conrad joined the varsity team as a freshman and made the All-Rookie team for a squad which won six games and lost in the quarterfinals. As a sophomore, Conrad was a second-team all star, Yarmouth won 11 times and again lost in the quarterfinals. As a junior, Conrad was named the league’s Defenseman of the Year, the Clippers won 11 games, then had their heart broken with an overtime loss to Gorham in the semifinals.

Conrad, who helped Yarmouth win the Class B soccer title as a junior, missed almost his whole senior season with an ankle injury, before returning to score a goal in Hollywood fashion as the Clippers repeated back in November.

Healthy again, Conrad then turned his attention to the ice and had a senior season to remember as the Clippers produced a campaign that was unforgettable.

Conrad, a defenseman extraordinaire who was never shy about venturing into the offensive zone, finished as Yarmouth’s second-leading scorer. He had career highs in goals (14), assists (24) and plus/minus (an amazing plus-36). He was the top scoring defenseman in Class B South for the second year in a row.

Conrad had a goal in an early season win over Gorham, which somewhat avenged last year’s playoff ouster. He had two goals and an assist versus Kennebunk, scored late in a one-goal win at Class A South contender Cheverus, had a goal in a win over Cape Elizabeth, scored in a key win at Thornton Academy, scored a goal and had two assists in a second win over Gorham, had two late goals in a come-from-behind win over Greely and had a goal and two assists in a win over Leavitt.

Most importantly, Conrad was a defensive presence like no other, helping the Clippers break in sophomore goalie Dan Latham without pressure and allow just 35 goals in 18 games. He also was the focal point on power plays and penalty kills. Through it all he demonstrated great character and sportsmanship.

Conrad continued to excel in Yarmouth’s run to the state final. In the semifinals, he had the Clippers’ first goal in a 5-1 win over Kennebunk. In a decisive win over Gardiner in the regional final, Conrad didn’t score, but helped Yarmouth produce a shut out. His most impressive effort came in the state game against Waterville, when Conrad’s showed off his tremendous conditioning, playing the whole third period and two overtimes before the Clippers finally dropped a gutwrenching 3-2 decision. 

“The season was awesome,” Conrad said. “When I started, we weren’t the program we wanted to be. We progressed each year. It was great we could change the program. I didn’t get to contribute the way I thought I could during soccer, so getting back for hockey was awesome.”

Conrad played in 79 games during his career, scoring 28 goals and adding 51 assists. For his career, he registered a plus-45.

“I have defensive pride,” Conrad said. “I like being the last line of defense between the other team and the goalie. I made so many great connections through sports. It’s a great feeling to contribute to success. Some of my favorite high school moments were caused by sports. The friends I made will last beyond high school.”

Conrad, who played lacrosse as a freshman and a sophomore and tennis as a junior, plans to return to lacrosse this spring and make a run at another championship. He’s served as a volunteer with Adaptive Skate and as a Clipper Buddy, belongs to Chamber Choir, student government and the Outing Club. He hopes to play soccer, hockey, or possibly both in college.

It’s cliché to suggest a player is irreplaceable, but when it comes to Walter Conrad, Yarmouth’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, there’s no question that his absence will be mightily felt and that his impact and legacy will last for generations.

Coach Dave St. Pierre’s comment: “Walter is one of the best defenseman this program has ever seen. He struck fear in the hearts of all opponents and coaches with his relentless defensive presence and offensive prowess. He scored critical goals for us all year and his compete level set the stage for so many key victories. He was a tremendous leader on and off the ice. He helped transform this program to one we can all enjoy and be proud of. He was a difference maker in every game, every situation. He was an inspiring leader for teammates and young kids watching him play. He will go down as one of the all-time greats in program history. He was a privilege to coach that I will miss dearly. He was a once in a generation type player.”

Previous winners:

2014-15 John Lane (Nordic skiing)

2013-14 David Murphy (basketball)

2012-13 Braden Becker (skiing)

2011-12 Josh Britten (basketball)

2010-11 Luke Pierce (basketball)

2009-10 Ethan Gray (hockey)

2008-09 Cam Woodworth (skiing)

2007-08 Jack Gross (skiing)

2006-07 Lucas Denning (basketball)

2005-06 Jack Gross (skiing)

2004-05 Pat Delaney (hockey)

2003-04 Ben Swardlick (skiing)

2002-03 Gunnar Hagstrom (basketball)

2001-02 Jay Fletcher (hockey)

Female:

EMMA EGAN, Senior-Indoor track

* All-American

* All-State

* Class B state champion, 55

* Class B state champion, high jump

* Class B record holder, high jump

* WMC All-Conference, first-team, 200

* WMC All-Conference, first-team, high jump

* Captain

Egan culminated her career as one of the finest track and field athletes in Yarmouth history, winning a pair of state championships and repeating as Winter Female Athlete of the Year.

Egan grew up in Yarmouth and started jumping in the fourth grade. By high school, she was sprinting as well and as a freshman, she posted a fifth-place finish in the high jump. As a sophomore, she moved up second in the high jump and placed second in the 55 and fifth in the long jump. Egan’s junior season resulted in her first indoor crown, in the high jump, as she set a record with a leap of 5 feet, 4.5 inches. 

After winning the high jump outdoors in June, as well as placing runner-up in the 200 (26.63), third in the 100 (12.92) and fourth in the long jump (16-10) and working with a trainer in the fall instead of running cross country, Egan produced a stellar senior indoor track season.

She was at her best in February. At the Western Maine Conference championship meet, Egan set a new conference record in the senior high jump (5-6) and also won the senior 55 (7.75 seconds). At the Class B state meet, Egan set a new record by winning the high jump at 5-6, re-setting her own state record. She also won the 55 (7.46) and placed third in the 200 (27.20).

Egan went on to place second in the high jump (5-5) at New Englands, then earned All-American distinction by tying for sixth in the high jump at Nationals with a top jump of 5-5.25.

“I’m really happy with the season,” Egan said. “I was happy to jump 5-6 this season. I was shocked to do so well at Nationals. That makes me feel good about outdoor track.”

Egan feels that track has been the perfect outlet for her.

“I’m not good at team sports,” Egan said. “Track is individual, but there’s also a team effort.”

Egan hopes to wrap up her time at Yarmouth by clearing 5-9 (her height) outdoors and reaching Nationals. She’s weighing her college options (several top NESCAC schools are under consideration) and will make an impact at the next level .

She won’t be forgotten at this level, that’s for sure. Emma Egan, Yarmouth’s two-time Winter Female Athlete of the Year, leaves behind hardware and records and a name that will be etched into program lore.

Coach Christie Orcutt’s comment: “It has been a privilege to coach Emma and foster her willingness to try anything, even the shot put. She has the focus, determination and work ethic to be successful at anything she sets her mind to. She took on a mentoring role for her teammates, taking marks, measurements, gathering tools, equipment, assigning jobs and making arrangements. She demonstrated a mature understanding of rest and balance this past season.”

Previous winners:

2014-15 Emma Egan (track)

2013-14 Chapin Dorsett (skiing)

2012-13 Abby Belisle-Haley (swimming)

2011-12 Morgan Cahill (basketball)

2010-11 Becca Bell (skiing)

2009-10 Becca Bell (skiing)

2008-09 Lauren Stackhouse (skiing)

2007-08 Julianna Lord (skiing)

2006-07 Molly Hallweaver (skiing)

2005-06 Meredith Shaw (basketball)

2004-05 Aylie Baker (basketball)

2003-04 Kalie Dunn (skiing)

2002-03 Emily Poole (skiing)

2001-02 Emily Erickson (basketball)

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

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