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Winter 2008-09 Male & Female Athletes of the Year
By Michael Hoffer (published: April 09, 2009)
As usual, selecting the top male and female winter athletes from each school was a challenge. While coaches and athletic directors were consulted, the ultimate decision was mine, based on seeing all or part of 128 sporting events since early December. The following athletes weren’t always the most prolific performers or even necessarily in the spotlight, but I feel that each of them helped elevate their respective teams to greatness.

Cheverus Stags

2008-09 Winter

CAROLINE SUMMA, Sophomore-Track

• SMAA All-Conference

Not everyone is born to jump.

Meet someone who is.

Caroline Summa was far from serious about track entering high school, but in two short years, she has become a premier talent in the local jumping world.

While her talent is natural, Summa has other intangibles that push her over the ever-rising bar. She has a burning desire to excel, displays poise that is rare in such a young athlete, and has no doubts about what she’s trying to accomplish.

In light of such determination and ability leading to excellence, Caroline Summa is The Forecaster’s choice for Cheverus’ 2008-09 Winter Female Athlete of the Year.

Summa, who lives on Chebeague Island, was first introduced to track and field in middle school. She played soccer as a freshman, but after realizing just how promising she was in the high jump, has since focused entirely on track. Her improvement has been dramatic.

After finishing fourth in the indoor state meet in the high jump as a freshman, Summa moved up to second outdoors and starred this winter. After a solid regular season, Summa was first in the high jump (and seventh in the 200) at the SMAA championships. She broke the Expo record in the high jump, soaring 5 feet, 6 1/4 inches. At the state championship meet, despite being under the weather, Summa was runner-up in the high jump and placed seventh again in the 200.

Summa credits coach Valerie Guillet (a mutual admiration society, see below) for her success.

Her goal outdoors is to jump 5-8. She also plans to try the javelin and triple jump this spring. Her goal is to out-jump indoor champion Colby Gail of Mt. Ararat and win a first state crown. She also belongs to the Cheverus Outdoors Club and is already thinking about competing in track in college.

Luckily for the Stags, she still has two-plus years remaining to work her magic in purple and gold. Caroline Summa, Cheverus’ 2008-09 Winter Female Athlete of the Year, has only begun to soar.

Coach Valerie Guillet’s comment: “In addition to her physical talents, Caroline has some innate qualities ideal for the high jump that allow her to perform at her best. She’s calm, centered and self-assured when she is about to jump in the same way she is about life in general. When you have an athlete with such determination, so much desire to excel, you don’t need to worry about whether or not she has the right type of fuel to get there.”

2007-08 winner: Jessica Groth (Indoor track)

2006-07 winner: Jessica Groth (Indoor track)

2005-06 winner: Caitlin Barber (Alpine skiing)

2004-05 winner: Jill Horan (Swimming)

2003-04 winner: Alana Van Loenen (Indoor track)