HENRY HORNE, Senior – Cross country
Contributed photo
• Class B South individual champion
• WMC all-star, first-team
* Finish Line award winner
Horne set the pace for a Freeport team that defended its Class B state title in style.
Horne comes from a running family, began competing in the fifth grade and has made an impact on the Falcons program since his freshman season. He placed 35th at the Class B state meet his first year, didn’t get a chance to run at states in his COVID-shortened sophomore campaign, then came in sixth as a junior, helping Freeport capture the championship.
This fall, Horne was the runner that just about everyone was chasing through the regular season and into the postseason. At the regional meet, Horne had no peer, finishing first with a time of 16 minutes, 40.10 seconds. At states, Horne wound up with the fourth-best time (second for scoring purposes) with a time of 17:14.39. Horne then competed at New Englands, where he had the 52nd-best time (16:51.20).
Horne hoped to set a new record at Twin Brook and place top 10 at New Englands, but fell short. He did set the program record, however.
Horne now turns his attention to indoor track (where he was fourth in the 800 last season). He also runs outdoor track in the spring (where he is the reigning Class B champion in the mile and high jump and runner-up in the 800). He hopes to run at a top school in college and has some promising options.
Henry Horne, Freeport’s Fall Athlete of the Year, had a high school career to remember, capped by a tremendous effort this season in leading the Falcons to the pinnacle once again.
Coach Matt Greear’s comment: “Henry has meant a lot to our program. He has consistently been a top runner in our meets and can really set the tone for races. Henry still hasn’t realized all of his talents, as he is still growing as an athlete. and I am excited to see what he does next. I think his work ethic in practice this year has been huge. At every practice, he was always ready to go. Regardless of the workout, the weather, or how he was feeling. Henry has a great attitude and is a lot of fun to be around.”
File photo
Prior winners:
• 2021 Eli Spaulding (golf)
* 2020 Matt Kempf (golf)
• 2019 Gabe Wagner (soccer)
• 2018 Shea Wagner (soccer)
• 2017 Ethan Sclar (golf)
• 2016 Josh Burke (football)
• 2015 Chandler Vincent (cross country)
• 2014 Chandler Vincent (cross country)
• 2013 Ben MacMillan (football)
• 2012 Dan Burke (football)
• 2011 Jack Dawe (soccer)
• 2010 James Purdy (football)
• 2009 Miguel Beckles (football)
• 2008 Cody Bartlett (soccer)
• 2007 Jon Klages (football)
• 2006 Luke Charest (soccer)
• 2005 Elliott Townsend (soccer)
• 2004 Jeff Smith (soccer)
• 2003 Josh Zolla (cross country)
• 2002 Chris Vigliotta (soccer)
• 2001 Scott Newell (golf)
PIPER WILLIAMS, Senior – Field hockey
Contributed photo
• WMC all-star, second-team
* WMC All-Academic team
* MFHA All-Academic
The Falcons enjoyed their best season this century, making a stunning run to the state final and spearheading that run was Williams, who came up with countless big saves, while helping many promising young teammates hit their stride.
Williams came over to field hockey from soccer and saw time in goal as a sophomore, played defense as a junior, then moved back into the cage this fall where she was exceptional. Williams made 114 saves and helped Freeport post a surprising 10-3-1 record in the regular season.
Williams set the tone early by making 22 saves in a loss to perennial powerhouse York. Other highlights included a half-dozen saves in a win over Lake Region, seven saves in a double-overtime loss to Cape Elizabeth, nine saves in a first-ever victory over York, 10 saves in a second overtime loss to Cape Elizabeth and eight saves in a regular season-ending shutout win over Fryeburg Academy.
Williams then was sensational in the playoffs, stopping 15 shots in a quarterfinal round victory over Lake Region, making nine saves in the semifinals where the Falcons finally solved Cape Elizabeth, 14 saves in a stirring penalty corners victory over York in the regional final and finally 20 saves in a 1-0 loss to Lawrence in the state final.
“This season meant a lot to me,” Williams said. “It was a great feeling to make it to a state championship again. I did so my sophomore year in lacrosse, but haven’t been to one since. Playing at that level of competition and intensity is an amazing experience. Also, the team this year was a fantastic environment. Rarely do you have so many freshmen making an impact on the team and that brought a fresh energy and perspective. I made connections with tons of new players I likely wouldn’t have met otherwise. As a senior, playing this season came with a new weight. With each playoff game, there came the realization that this could be my last game. This pushed me, and my teammates, to play at a different level. Every practice and game mattered a little more, as the team and I were trying to push ourselves to the best outcome possible.”
Williams is also a standout goalie in lacrosse for a strong team that will make a run at a title this spring. She hopes to play field hockey or lacrosse in college, where she plans to study engineering.
Piper Williams, Freeport’s Fall Athlete of the Year, engineered a season to remember this season. Her play in the clutch was simply unforgettable and a surprise regional title was the end result.
Coach Marcia Wood’s comment: “Piper excels in the big games and prepares herself well, What I think is the most fun about Piper is her intensity during these games and her celebrations when making a big save or when one of her defenders makes a big play. You could often through the playoff run hugging Liv Christensen or Sydney Gelhar in the middle of the game after a big play. Or sometimes she bounces around and has her own little celebration. I know the fans really enjoyed that and it got her team pumped up. Off the field, Piper is really good with our freshmen making them feel comfortable and a part of the team, which lead to our team chemistry and success. She hadn’t thought about playing college field hockey until after this playoff run so it will be fun to see what she ends up doing in the future.”
File photo
Prior winners:
• 2021 Kyla Havey (field hockey)
* 2020 Ally Randall (field hockey)
• 2019 Catriona Gould (soccer)
• 2018 Alexa Koenig (field hockey)
• 2017 Lily Horne (cross country)
• 2016 Alexa Koenig (field hockey)
• 2015 Morgan Karnes (field hockey)
• 2014 Abby Smith (field hockey)
• 2013 Livvy Dimick (soccer)
• 2012 Jocelyn Davee (soccer)
• 2011 Kayla Thurlow (field hockey)
• 2010 Lauren Easler (cross country)
• 2009 Hannah Schuchert (field hockey)
• 2008 Molly Susla (cross country)
• 2007 Hannah Schuchert (field hockey)
• 2006 Molly Susla (cross country)
• 2005 Kelsey Nichols (cross country)
• 2004 Lucy Garrec (cross country)
• 2003 Dani O’Rourke-Suchoff (cross country)
• 2002 Michelle Peters (field hockey)
• 2001 Amy Morejon (soccer)
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
