DANIEL LANDRY, Sophomore – Tennis

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• SMAA All-Conference, first-team, singles

Daniel Landry

Landry excelled against top players in the league and also in the singles tournament and was pretty much a guaranteed point for his squad when he took the court this season.

Landry played first singles, meaning he was going up against the conference’s best players every time out and he won his first six outings before running into Kennebunk’s George Cutone, the eventual individual champion.

Landry helped the Rams win four matches and lose three others by 3-2 margins, as they improved upon their one victory of a year ago.

Landry was seeded ninth for the state singles tournament and made it to the round of 16 before being eliminated.

Following the season, Landry was honored as one of the conference’s elite players, which he truly was.

The best news of all is that Daniel Landry, Deering’s Spring Athlete of the Year, still has two seasons left to improve and impress. The sky is the limit for this talented young player.

Coach Regina Morton’s comment: “Daniel not only works hard and practices constantly during the season, but he also pushes himself to grow and take his game to new levels during the offseason. This is what sets him apart and places him in the ranks of the top players in the state. People not familiar with tennis have a hard time realizing just how much work it takes to get good at this sport. Most importantly, in addition to his incredible work ethic and commitment to the sport and team, he also carries himself with a quiet, polite and kind demeanor that has garnered much respect throughout the league.”

Previous winners:

• 2021 Conner Coleman (baseball)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Tre Fletcher (baseball)
• 2018 Nick James (lacrosse)
• 2017 Nate Richards (lacrosse)
• 2016 Max Hornblower (lacrosse)
• 2015 Kevin Goldberg (baseball)
• 2014 Tyler Butler (tennis)
• 2013 Jared Bell (track)
• 2012 Karl Rickett (lacrosse)
• 2011 Carleton Allen (lacrosse)
• 2010 Sam Balzano (baseball)
• 2009 Regan Flaherty (baseball)
• 2008 Taylor Candage (baseball)
• 2007 Matt Watson (baseball)
• 2006 Adam Rothbart (lacrosse)
• 2005 Neall Oliver (tennis)
• 2004 Ryan Reid (baseball)

SAYA BREITING-BROWN, Sophomore – Track

• SMAA all-star, second-team, 100 hurdles
• Richard Kress “Outstanding Performer” Award winner

Breiting-Brown became a star this season and emerged as one of the state’s premier hurdlers.

Saya Breiting-Brown

Breiting-Brown ran hurdles and relays as a freshman but took it to a new level this spring.

Breiting-Brown posted a season-best 100 hurdles time of 16.23 seconds in winning the SMAA championship meet. She also placed third at the Class A state meet (16.47). Breiting-Brown also showed dramatic improvement in the 300 hurdles from a year ago, shaving five seconds off her time. She came in fourth at Southwesterns (50.47) and fifth at states (49.87). Breiting-Brown also showed her depth by competing in the 200, relays and even the pole vault.

Saya Breiting-Brown, Deering’s Spring Athlete of the Year, showed dramatic improvement between her freshmen and sophomore seasons and if she continues on this trajectory, she’ll make a run at a state title or two next year.

Coach Ryan Graney’s comment: “Saya is a fierce competitor and tremendous natural athlete. Her ability to stand out above the rest is a testament to her hard work ethic and constantly striving to achieve her best. She’s a wonderful teammate and an absolute joy to coach. She never backs down from a challenge and has a no-quit attitude. Her accomplishments this outdoor track season spur from goals she set out to accomplish during her indoor track season primarily in the hurdles where she is a tactician setting out to perfect her three-step in between the hurdles, which she did this season. Saya’s determination and commitment to track and field are traits you cannot coach. We as coaches are truly blessed to have her. We look forward to having her back for her junior year and (are) excited to see how she can further amaze us with her accomplishments.”

Previous winners:

• 2021 Riley Forrest (lacrosse)
• 2020 No season
• 2019 Kiaya Gatchell (lacrosse)
• 2018 Annah Rossvall (track)
• 2017 Sydney Giroux (softball)
• 2016 Micary Verville (lacrosse)
• 2015 Maddie Abbott (tennis)
• 2014 Alexis Elowitch (track)
• 2013 Rashad Zagon (track)
• 2012 Veronica Mitchell (lacrosse/track)
• 2011 Jen Lynch (softball)
• 2010 Julie Pallozzi (lacrosse)
• 2009 Melissa Bell (softball)
• 2008 Lesley Warn (softball)
• 2007 Chelsea Johnson (lacrosse)
• 2006 Kate Bustin (softball)
• 2005 Lesley Warn (softball)
• 2004 Gina Axelson (softball)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.