Male:

JOHN LANE, Sophomore-Nordic skiing

* Class B state champion, freestyle

* WMC all-conference

Lane improved dramatically from his freshman season and turned heads in the biggest meets this winter, surprising many, including himself.

Lane didn’t even start skiing until middle school, but showed immediate talent. As a freshman on a team with a deep talent reservoir, he was essentially the fifth skier behind Braden Becker, Carter Hall, Sam Alexander and Jasper Houston and didn’t even score at the state meet, but after taking his training regimen more seriously, he quickly made a name for himself this winter.

At the Western Maine Conference championship meet, Lane won the freestyle and came in seventh in the classic. At states, he won the freestyle and placed third in the classic.

“I was a little surprised,” Lane said. “I wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did. I knew we had a small team this year. I wanted to win and I knew I had to step up.”

Lane has developed a love for the sport.

“I like being outside and I like being in the woods skiing,” Lane said. “I like working hard and pushing it every race.”

Lane also plays soccer and is an avid surfer. He’s started a Surf Club at the high school and is part of a club which is seeking to eliminate bullying. Looking ahead, Lane wants to win both skiing disciplines as a junior and senior, lead the Clippers to a team title and make a mark at the Eastern High School championships. He hopes to ski in college.

If his forward progression is anything like his growth between his freshman and sophomore years, the sky will be the limit for John Lane, Yarmouth’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year.

Coach Bob Morse’s comment: “The biggest improvement John made from last year to this was his willingness to try to improve his technique in both the classical and freestyle. He improved his times and the light went on as he focused more and more on refining his skiing. His victory in the freestyle was a testimony to his high energy and his ability to focus on becoming a stronger racer. He’ll be the driving force on our team next season.”

Previous winners:

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, Junior-Indoor track

* Class B high jump record holder

* Class B state champion, high jump

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

Egan has quietly become one of the premier jumpers in the state, but after her performance this winter, the secret is out.

Egan grew up in Yarmouth and started long jumping in the fourth grade. She first took up the high jump in middle school and considers herself more a jumper than a runner, but she’s pretty competitive in the sprints as well.

Egan, who runs cross country in the fall and competes in outdoor track in the spring, debuted with a fifth-place finish in the high jump in 2013. As a sophomore, she moved up second in the high jump and placed second in the 55 and fifth in the long jump. After several close calls outdoors last spring, Egan was ready to win a championship this winter.

Egan, who attended track legend Dick Fosbury’s jumping camp at Bowdoin College last summer, was one of the conference’s best sprinters and jumpers this season and at the Western Maine Conference championship meet, she won the senior high jump and placed second in the open long jump and senior 55. At states, Egan got her title, winning the Class B high jump with a new record leap of 5 feet, 4.5 inches. She was also runner-up to Lake Region standout Kate Hall in the long jump and placed third in the 55.

“The state title was kind of unexpected,” said Egan, who credited jumping coach Jeff Averill for much of her success. “I love competing against Kate Hall. She pushes me to get better. I learn from her. Jumping is physical and mental. My team motivates me.”

Egan finished her season with a seventh-place finish in the high jump at the New England championships.

Egan, who helps coach middle school jumpers and was part of Yarmouth’s one-act play “Epic Proportions,” which just won a state title, is hoping to increase her top high jump to 5-6 before she graduates. She also hopes to win a jumping championship outdoors. Competing in track in college in another aspiration.

This standout will keep raising the bar, then clear it. Emma Egan, Yarmouth’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, has finally reached the top podium and the scary thing is that she’s only going to keep getting better.

Coach Mike Griffin’s comment: “Emma was outstanding at the championship meets this winter. Her consistency was amazing throughout the season, considering she was often competing in the long jump and the 55 while also in the high jump. She’s the consummate track and field athlete. She’s capable of scoring in multiple running events. She wants success for her teammates and her team. She’s a determined young woman who worked hard. She continues to set high goals for herself. We’re fortunate to have her leading the way.”

Previous winners:

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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