Sanford High School's Performing Arts Center was filled with student-athletes, families, and coaches Monday evening as the school celebrated its winter athletic season at the annual Winter Athletic Recognition Night.
Sanford Athletic Director Zach Lemelin opened the evening with a reflection on what the night meant for the athletic department.
“The Winter Awards Night was a great night, which highlighted the success of our individuals and teams at Sanford High School,” Lemelin said. “I am extremely proud of our student-athletes and coaches for a successful season, and it’s a perfect way to wrap up the winter.”
Several Spartans earned individual conference and state honors. On the girls' basketball side, Mollie Puffer was named SMAA First Team All and selected as the program’s Most Outstanding Player, while Paige Sevigny earned SMAA Second Team All honors and Jaslinn Johnson was named to the SMAA All Defensive Team. Dylan Gendron led the boys' basketball program with SMAA First Team All honors and the Most Valuable Player award, with Luke Gendron earning SMAA Third Team All and Ryan Alexander receiving an SMAA Honorable Mention.
In indoor track, junior Mattea Peters had an outstanding season, earning All State Second Team recognition in the 400m dash and SMAA First Team honors in the 200m dash, 400m dash, and high jump. Competition cheer’s Mariah Provencher was named SMAA First Team.
Dozens of student-athletes earned spots on the SMAA All Academic Team by maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 92.5 or higher, with honorees representing girls basketball, boys' basketball, indoor track, swimming, competition cheer, wrestling, and both co-op ice hockey programs.
The evening also highlighted the school's Leadership Council program, which met weekly throughout the winter with mental performance coach Megan Hamilton of Stride Mental Performance. Athletes who participated across multiple seasons received special recognition, notably Isabella McCall, who was honored for her commitment as a four-time member of the council, the highest level of recognition in the program
One highlight of the evening was the recognition of two coaches. Rossie Kearson was named SMAA Girls Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Spartans to a 16-2 regular-season record, a perfect 9-0 home record, a second-place league finish, and a run to the Class A South semifinals. John Morgan was recognized as the Maine Basketball Coaches Association Class A South Coach of the Year, leading the boys team to a 17-1 regular season record and an appearance in the Class A South semifinals.
The night also recognized several Sanford student-athletes who competed through co-op programs this winter. Kenzie Provencher joined the Biddeford/Wells/Kennebunk/Sanford girls ice hockey team, contributing an assist on a double-overtime playoff-winning goal as the team finished 13-5 and reached the semifinals. Drew Vessels, Carter Wood, and Max Lapointe represented Sanford on the Marshwood/Traip/Noble/Sanford co-op boys' hockey team, while the Sanford/Marshwood/Massabesic co-op swim team, which doubled in size this season, sent Sanford’s Katie Szymbor to the state meet.
Coaches from each program took the stage to reflect on their season and recognize standout athletes with special team awards for leadership, improvement, and dedication. (Click here for a complete list of Sanford award winners.)