Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 20

Libby Pomerleau ’16: in it to WIN IT BEST in the STATE Saint Joseph’s College freshman field hockey forward Libby Pomerleau ’16 played a standout season for the Monks, who captured the school’s first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship, NCAA Tournament berth, and NCAA tournament victory. Libby was named to the 2016 Synapse Sports All-Rookie Team, the GNAC First Team All- Conference, and was crowned the Michael holds up the Fitzpatrick Trophy, alongside TA coaches. L to R: Craig Agreste ’92, Nick Scontras ’92, Nick Tabor ’96, Jack Morrison ’74, Marc Gagne, Michael Laverriere ’17, Kevin Kezal, Josh Pulsifer ’06, Kirk Agreste ’99, and Greg Paradis ’91. GNAC Rookie of the Year. She led the team in goals (16), assists (10), points (42), and game-winning goals (8), while being ranked second nationally among first-year players in goals (out of 165 NCAA DIII programs). She was third in both assists and total points when aligned with other NCAA DIII rookies. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SJC Quarterback Michael Laverriere ’17 was named the 46 th winner of the James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy, given to the top high school senior in Maine football, in addition to being named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year, and the USA Today Maine Offensive Player of the Year. Michael is a resident of Arundel whose parents, Chris and Michele, have been supportive of his football career ever since he started playing youth football in Saco with the Junior Trojans in second grade. “He ranks right up there with some of the best I’ve ever coached,” said Head Coach Kevin Kezal in an article for the Portland Press Herald. “We were young and inexperienced, and in those big-game situations we had to rely on Michael – certainly more so than we have with any one guy the last four, five years.” Michael 20 directed an offense that averaged more than 43 points per game. He accounted for almost 2,200 yards in nine games, including 1,384 on the ground while averaging 8.8 yards per carry. He will play football at the University of Maine next year. Gary Stevens Receives National Citation for Athletic Administration Michael Laverriere ’17 and Dave Eid of WGME-13 Dayton resident Nick Bartholomew ’17 was awarded the Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive Lineman Award, which recognizes the top offensive lineman in the state of Maine. Nick is a two-time SMAA All-Conference selection with a 3.92 grade-point average. He will continue playing football at Husson University. Finding balance and giving back to his community have also been important priorities for Nick whose advice for up-and-coming TA players is: “Put the same effort that you put into football into your academics and into your school. That will set you up for success.” PHOTOS BY JEFF CHRISTENBURY ’03 | GRAPHICS BY JOSH PULSIFER ’06 Thornton Academy Director of Athletics and Student Activities Gary Stevens (pictured below in the front row, far left) was awarded the National Federation of State High School Associations Citation for his outstanding work in athletic administration. Gary was recognized for this prestigious distinction in December 2016 during luncheon festivities at the 47 th annual National Athletic Directors Conference held in Nashville, Tennessee. The NFSH Board of Directors selects just one recipient from the region encompassing all of New England, New Jersey, and New York. He is one of only eight athletic administrators in the country to receive the Citation in 2016. Executive Director of the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Martin E. Ryan said, “On behalf of the MIAAA, we are very pleased for Gary to receive this recognition for his outstanding contributions to interscholastic athletics in Maine, as well as the MIAAA. He is a very fine leader and we are very happy to see his great skills recognized.” PHOTO COURTESY OF NIAAA 21