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Liz Carpenter
As you will see throughout these awards tonight, the competition was very intense. By that, I mean that as you sit there I'm sure you will think of many athletes you felt were also deserving. And as I counted up all the votes, many were mentioned and few were runaway winners.
How do you choose a “most improved” on a team where so many athletes made so much progress. Think about distance, where athletes ran times they would not have even considered three months ago. Or both hurdle events where times continue to drop significantly. Or sprints where the young runners are nipping on the heels of the veterans. Or jumps where distances and heights that were rare are now commonplace.
This year's winner comes from the throwers. Look at javelin where two people who couldn't throw 90' last year threw 100'. Or shot put where a large group of young throwers are pushing toward the 30' mark.
This years winner was part of the pack last year. But in practice she started to show promise with an occasionally long throw. Finally, she brought her best to meets and became the second best thrower on the team, qualifying for state competition as a sophomore. This year's winner is Liz Carpenter.
Kellyn Kearney
I have witnessed most of the remarkable performances in North Attleboro track and field history – both boys and girls. This one I didn't see. I was walking across the field toward the long jump pit. I saw three people tackle Kellyn and I knew she had just broken one of the longest standing records on the books. Her 17'8” leap surpassed the old mark set by Karen Pearce in 1986.
Like I said, I didn't see it – but watching the aftermath sent chills down my spine. Those who watched it mention both her determination on the runway and the incredible height of the jump. They knew they were watching something special.
What I have seen from Kellyn this year is the most consistantly superior long jumper in NA history. She is a two-time league champion in that event and this year alone, she has surpassed 16' on more jumps than anyone else in their entire career.
She is most deserving of both the school record and the honor of having this year's most amazing performance.
Seniors determine the direction of a team with their words and actions. This year we had an outstanding group of seniors. Their attention to the principles that made this team successful in the past made it much easier for the large contingent of newcomers to understand how things should be done.
Especially in this day and age, there are more people than ever that bristle at the mere hint that they have to listen to those in authority. This is to their own detriment, as they miss out on the lessons that can be learned from those that have the wisdom that comes through experience.
This often makes being a captain a thankless job. Captains without strong leadership ability are prone to be more concerned about popularity - less concerned about providing direction to some who would make their job difficult. I was blessed this year with three captains – and other seniors as well - that were strong enough in their convictions and confident enough in their purpose that they stood firmly and spoke clearly about the way athletes on this team must conduct themselves.
Therefor it comes as no surprise to me that the vast majority of votes for this award were cast for the three captains. One stood out among them all, as she has for her entire high school career, and I am happy to present Brooke Lenahan with the 2004 Role Model Award.
Unsung Hero
Newspapers and even unfortunately coaches trying to wrap-up the meet for the team – often start to fixate on the same names. But no success can occur without an entire team pitching together to make it happen.
Twenty-nine athletes received at least one vote. But this athlete was the only one to receive double figures. I'm sure at times she must feel that she toils away in anonymity. Then again, knowing her I don't think that is important.
She fits the typical North Attleboro mold. That being – dedicated to her events, helpful to teammates and staying late to work on technique.
She also provides critical points in her primary event – the 100M hurdles. She might not get the publicity, but she gets the team's respect and they would like to honor Abbie Frederick as this year's “Unsung Hero.”
Allison Buckley
Jen McNamara
It is appropriate that there was a tie for the hardest working athlete – but it should have been for ten, not two. There are many worthy candidates. Long after I have run out of steam and the practice is officially over – there are still athletes working technique over hurdles, getting extra throwing attention from Coach Holster, putting in extra laps or heading off to the weight room.
It is evident that these athletes possess an inner drive that forces them not to settle for mediocrity, instead pushing beyond that required of them – searching for another way to improve.
For some the rewards have already come. Others work diligently with the hope that somewhere down the line their day will come.
These efforts do not go unnoticed. So, although it is impossible to recognize all of them with awards, it is fitting to honor these two athletes, one a thrower, the other a runner.
Allison Buckley does not know fame, yet that doesn't alter her pursuit of her goals. You won't find her giving partial effort, cutting out on her running or trying to sneak out early. Allison understands that the real contest is always between what you have done and what you're capable of doing. One might say that Jen McNamara has found fame. Her daily efforts are reported in the paper, she has won All-League honors and her drawers are stocked with medals and ribbons. Her reaction to this has been to put in even longer hours, and to work more diligently. She will be among the last handful of athletes everyday, and I often have to force her to stop. To Jen, good enough never is.
What Jen and Allison have most in common is that their peers recognized their commitment to excellence and it is right that we honor them at this time.
Adversity Award
Melissa Megna
I'm hoping this won't become a yearly award. And if you haven't already guessed that it will be going to Missy Megna then I guess you just haven't been paying attention. So here are the facts.
Missy suffered a severe knee injury that required complete reconstructive surgery. That is unfortunate, but doesn't necessarily merit an award.
Last year she tried to come back to track. She had this huge knee brace that she had to wear. She could barely move in it. She begged coach Holster and I to let her triple jump.
We said “no way!”
So she tried sprinting and she tried mid-distance. It hurt, she winced. It hurt, she limped. It was painful to watch. I'm sure the face she was presenting to us was not as bad as the one at home. Here was an athlete that not only couldn't perform to the high level she was used to – but it was painful to perform at all.
I have to admit that one of the things I most feared this year was to tell her she couldn't jump. But she got clearance from a doctor.
Still, more than once I looked her mother in the eye and asked, “Are we doing the right thing?”
The answer is history. Missy qualified for states, set a PR at 33'6” – a mark that is #2 on our team – and was part of a new school record team in the triple jump relay. She has also served as inspiration to Kelli McLaughlin who also underwent similar surgery.
Yesterday she was part of our heptathlon team that placed 5th in the state. This is a two-day competition that features 100M hurdles, shot put, high jump, 200M dash. javelin, long jump and 800M.
Lest you think she is all better, you need only look at her face during the 800M. Amanda Walkins was ready to take her off the track.
Most Contributing
Amanda Walkins
I was recently asked the difference between most valuable and most contributing. There is no one clear explanation, but a difference resides in the minds of the team, as evidenced by the vote.
This year's winner wasn't a captain nor was she the leading scorer. But she was one of the most visible athletes, competing in running, jumping and throwing events, supporting her teammates, putting in the extra time demanded by the technical aspects of her events, and providing us with some memorable clutch performances.
Her versatility allowed her to score points in 300Mhurdles, 800M, javelin, triple jump, shuttle hurdles and 4 X 400M. Who will forget that against Attleboro she entered her final throw in third place, then uncorked a PR 100'10” to win the competition and assure victory.
Some may consider Amanda diminutive in size but she is huge in heart. Her contributions to this team are numerous and large. When the going gets tough, hop onto Amanda's back. She will carry you there or die trying. This year's most contributing athlete is Amanda Walkins.
Leah Seward
Most valuable athlete means different things to different people. For many, they would simply look at the total number of points scored. This year's runaway winner, Leah Seward, certainly leads in that category, having scored over 150 points this season and over 350 points in her career. She presently stands at 13th on NA's Career Scoring list with one more season to go.
But I don't doubt that her teammates were also considering the many other attributes that make her valuable. I'd like to focus on just one – leadership. You see, Leah also captured the lion's share of votes for most admired. It is a role that carries awesome responsibility.
Athletes tend to follow the lead of those who they admire. There is no one I would rather recommend. She approaches track and field the way she approaches everything in life. With dogged determination, Leah sets goals and works hard to achieve them. She keeps a clear focus, able to block out the distractions and detractions that plague so many others.
In this way she has been able to maximize her potential – providing the team not only with critically needed performances on the track, but also a clear example of what it takes to succeed.
So whether in action on the track or by example in practice, Leah has been our most valuable athlete this year.
Andrea McKim
This is the fourth year that the Grampa Estey Award has been given.
Besides being my father, Grampa Estey was a constant fixture at high school activities. Whether sports, music or drama, he not only enjoyed watching – but also made it a point to get to know the students personally. It was common for students to get a call the night before a big game - wishing them good luck, or for him to hang around after a musical performance to let someone know how much he enjoyed listening.
For us, he raked pits, consoled distraught athletes and loved to teach parents the finer points of track. He gave of himself, asking nothing in return.
When my daughter was a freshman she had a friend who didn't have a grandfather. Amy asked if Emily would share hers. When Amy started to call him Grampa it just seemed to catch on – soon everyone would call out to “Grampa” when they saw him.
When he passed away many who knew him worked together to create in his memory the area of tables and benches at the south end of the track. It was also decided to give an award in his name to someone who held those qualities that helped make him special.
This year I had more difficulty than usual finding just the right person. I went back and forth through the roster agonizing. Then I remembered an incident that happened during the King Philip meet. Just before the 400M Leah Seward came over and told me she felt sick and was worried she couldn't run. I don't remember exactly what I said, but it was something to the effect that, “Don't worry, I'll have McKim do it.”
Now this was a big meet and things were uncertain at that point. It was a critical race - that was why Leah was in it. But I truly wasn't worried. Grampa Estey was always there when I needed him, and here I was in need of some quick help. Who else to call on but Andrea? I found out about the clincher later. The last thing Leah said to her before the race was, “Do it for me!”
That was all that was needed. Andrea went out and won the race with a huge PR time, not because she wanted to see her name in the paper or wanted the pat on the back, but because her coach, teammate and team needed her help.
It is part of her nature. It is common for her to stop by seventh period to ask, “Do you need my help with anything.” This morning when I opened my e-mail there was a message from Andrea. It simply read, "Is there anything I can do to help you get ready for tonight?"
Grampa Estey would be most happy with this choice.