In 1988, the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram began naming a female and male high school athlete of the year. The eligible candidates had all been named athlete of the year in one (or more) sport during the school year. Each sport winner was invited with their families to an awards dinner, and the overall athletes of the year were announced.

The process remained relatively unchanged until 2016, when the Varsity Maine Awards show was created, with a live audience at the University of Southern Maine, and several other awards were added, including team of the year and coaches of the year. It was also decided that the overall athlete of the year could be someone other than an individual sport winner. The Varsity Maine Awards show had a three-year run. Now, the Varsity Maine year-end awards include Team of the Year (boys and girls) and Game of the Year (boys and girls). The winners along with finalists for each award are recognized in a commemorative section published a few weeks after the conclusion of the spring sports season.

ALL-TIME ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

1987-88: Female – Missy Kelsen, Deering; Male – Tim Scott, Ellsworth

1988-89: Female – Stephanie Carter Thompson, Schenck; Male – Rob Pendergist, Ellsworth

1989-90: Female – Christina Strong D’Appolonia, Georges Valley; Male – Dan Ladd, Oxford Hills

1990-91: Female – Melissa Lockman, John Bapst; Male – Ryan Werner, Scarborough

1991-92: Female – Kristen Briggs Carmichael, York; Male – Mike Brady, Cape Elizabeth

1992-93: Female – Sandi Carver, Jonesport-Beals; Male – Jamie Cook, Kennebunk

1993-94: Female – Cindy Blodgett, Lawrence; Male – Jamie Cook, Kennebunk

1994-95: Female – Nichole Motil Jackson, Thornton Academy; Male – T.J. Caouette, Winthrop

1995-96: Female – Amy Vachon, Cony; Male – T.J. Caouette, Winthrop

1996-97: Female – Kristi Knights O’Donnell, South Portland; Male – David Romilly, Wells

1997-98: Female – Kate Toye Blake, Scarborough; Male – Tom Waterman, Bangor

1998-99: Female – Jenn Moreau, Mt. Ararat; Male – Roger Levesque, Falmouth

1999-2000: Female – Noel Beagle, Gorham; Male – Jeremy Shorey, Lisbon

2000-01: Female – Lani Boardman Silversides, York; Male – Parker Adams, NYA

2001-02: Female – Sarah Marshall Ryan, McAuley; Male – John Kane, Deering

2002-03: Female – Erin Hatch, Thornton Academy; Male – Ben True, Greely

2003-04: Female – Brittany Veazie McAllister, Dexter; Male – Mark Rogers, Mt. Ararat

2004-05: Female – Katie Rollins, Cony; Male – Skip Edwards, Portland

2005-06: Female – Michelle Libby, Sacopee Valley; Male – Josh Pelletier, Foxcroft Academy

2006-07: Female – Kelsey Wilson, Gorham; Male – Jared Turcotte, Lewiston

2007-08: Female – Becky O’Brien, Greely; Male – Kyle Stilphen, Gardiner

2008-09: Female – Stephanie Whitten, Waterville; Male – Nate Doehler, Bonny Eagle

2009-10: Female – Jenni Roberts, Sanford; Male – Will Geoghegan, Brunswick

2010-11: Female – Mia Rapolla, Gorham; Male – Peter Gwilym, Cheverus

2011-12: Female – Abbey Leonardi, Kennebunk; Male – Sam Dexter, Messalonskee

2012-13: Female – Martha Veroneau, Waynflete; Male – Silas Eastman, Fryeburg Academy

2013-14: Female – Kate Hall, Lake Region; Male – Ben Lucas, Cony

2014-15: Female – Kate Hall, Lake Region; Male – Isaiah Harris, Lewiston

2015-16: Female – Lily Posternak, York; Male – Joe Esposito, Portland

2016-17: Female – Lily Posternak, York; Male – Austin Lufkin, Brewer

2017-18: Female – Kolleen Bouchard, Houlton; Male – Grant Hartley, Edward Little

2018-19: Female – Anna DeWolfe, Greely; Male – Colton Carson, Oxford Hills

2019-20: Female – Kristina Kelly, Camden Hills; Male – Zach Maturo, Bonny Eagle

2020-21: No awards

2021-22: Female – Jaycie Christopher, Skowhegan; Male – Cooper Flagg, Nokomis

2022-23: Female – Hope Bouchard, Lawrence; Male – Nick Laughlin, Cape Elizabeth

2023-24: Female – Maddie Ripley, Oceanside; Male – Noah Carpenter, Leavitt

2024-25: Female – Lucy Johnson, Cheverus; Male – Jamier Rose, Noble

2025-26: Female – Addison DeRoche, Cheverus; Male – Cordell Jones, Portland

Compiled by staff writer Steve Craig.