As we enter the new year, let’s not forget 2012, which proved to be fruitful for several area sports programs.

Fans in York County love their sports, especially their high school teams. Their fervor is evident with their boisterous bellows at home sporting events, participation in ringing victory bells and closely following their home teams.

Several teams and athletes gave their fans a lot about which to cheer in 2012, especially in Saco, where Thornton Academy ruled two highly popular sports.

The Golden Trojans in early March won their second straight Class A boys hockey title. To get there, Thornton Academy had to avenge its only loss of the season by beating Falmouth in the Western Maine title game. Thornton made it look easy as it won 8-4.

In the title game, Thornton Academy took on a talented and history-rich St. Dominic’s of Lewiston team, but once again the Golden Trojans came to play as they downed St. Dom’s 5-1. Goalie Joe Ferrante came up big, stopping 20 of 21 shots.

The good news kept coming for Thornton as senior captain C.J. Maksut won the Travis Roy Award just a few weeks later.

In the fall, TA’s football team did something it hadn’t done since the mid-1980s: Win the Class A state championship.

Before the Trojans could think about a state title, they first had to get the  Cheverus monkey off their back. The Stags had won the past two state titles and hadn’t lost a game in the past three seasons. They beat Thornton earlier in the year in Saco, and earned the right to host the Western Maine title game.

Thornton, which entered that game with only one loss, held strong, downed the Stags and headed for the state title game where it met undefeated Lawrence.

Lawrence was a worthy opponent, but Thornton was just too good as it rolled past the Bulldogs 37-23, behind the special teams play of David LePauloue and the running power of Andrew Libby.

Although they didn’t win the Class A title, the Biddeford Tigers girls volleyball team reached the title game with an undefeated record. Unfortunately for Biddeford, team leader and setter Mariah Hebert sustained a concussion in the first set of the title game and the Tigers couldn’t recover. Greely avenged its only loss of the season and won the title.

Hebert was rewarded, however, a month later, winning the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year Award.

The Sanford Spartans, who changed names this season, ended the spring sports season with a bang as they won the Class A outdoor track and field title ”“ the school’s first.

The Redskins dominated the state title meet for the most part, but had to wait the weekend to finish the final event before earning the crown.

In cross country, the Massabesic Mustangs ran to a boys Class A title as they placed three runners in the top 20. Massabesic scored 82 points and fought off Lewiston (91) and Scarborough (95) for the championship.

Biddeford’s Cam Nadeau capped his career by winning the Class A individual cross country championship. He won the meet in a time of 16:36.40, beating Scarborough’s Robby Hall, who finished in 16:39.88.

Many athletes in York County shined in their respective sports, earning individual state titles as well.

Biddeford’s Ashley Belanger won the Class A shot put title in indoor track and field, while Thornton Academy’s Marie Vermund won the girls long jump title. Thornton’s Carly McKenna also won an individual title in the high jump.

In Class B indoor track and field, Wells’ Denzel Tomaszewski won the title in the boys 55-meter dash. He also won the 100-meter dash title in outdoor track and field.

In Class A outdoor track and field, Sanford’s Alex Shain won the 100-meter dash and triple jump titles, and teammate Dan Webb won the 400-meter dash title. Webb also won the title in the 200-meter dash. In the high jump, Kennebunk’s Trevor Luck won the Class A title, and teammate Austin Weigle placed second in the same event.

On the girls side for the outdoor events, Kennebunk’s Abbey Leonardi capped her outstanding career with the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter titles. Kennebunk’s Hannah Johnson won the high jump title, while Sanford’s Nikki Farmer earned the javelin title.

In wrestling, Massabesic’s Ethan Gilman won the 126-pound title in Class A, while teammate Josh Andrews also won the 220-pound title. Biddeford’s Derek Vermette won the Class A title in the 182-pound class.

Area athletes in the pool also had a good year, especially in diving.

Thornton Academy’s Tyler Goulden and Kennebunk’s Tori Leonard won Class A state titles in their respective boys and girls diving competitions.

Now that 2012 has come to a close, it is time to see what the area athletes have in store for 2013.

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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Editor Al Edwards on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.