AVERY LAWRENCE, Senior-Baseball
• SMAA all-star, second-team
* SMAA All-Academic team
* Senior All-Star
* Captain
Lawrence didn’t just have a great senior season, his leadership helped the Rams become a contender and surprise the pundits by making the playoffs.
Lawrence saw ample playing time from his freshman year on, but in his first three seasons, Deering won a total of five games, none in 2023.
That would change this spring, as Casey Lawrence, Avery’s father, took over as coach and by season’s end, the Rams were a team to be reckoned with.
Avery Lawrence started in five of his team’s six wins this season, striking out 72 batters in just 53 innings, posting an earned run average of 2.37 while holding the opposition to a .194 batting average.
Lawrence, who generally threw to his younger brother, Miles Lawrence, the team’s catcher, earned a 4-3 win against Windham, as Deering snapped a three-year, 24-game losing streak. He was at his best at the end of the season, striking out 14 batters in a victory over rival Portland, fanning a dozen in a win over Bonny Eagle, striking out nine against South Portland and fanning 10 in a 3-0 win over Westbrook.
Lawrence, who played either shortstop or centerfield when he wasn’t pitching, also had 13 hits, including three doubles and three triples from the leadoff spot. He had two hits, including a leadoff triple, in a stunning 8-7 win over eventual state champion Scarborough (it proved to be the Red Storm’s only loss). Lawrence also had a two-run double against Biddeford, scored twice against Noble, tripled in a win over Westbrook, then hit a leadoff triple and scored a first inning run in a preliminary round playoff game at South Portland, but Deering’s season ended with a 6-2 setback.
“It’s huge to come from 0-16 last year to 6-10,” said Lawrence. “We’ve had ups and downs, but day-by-day, confidence built. I knew we could piece it together.”
Lawrence will play next year at Husson University in Bangor and his bat, arm and leadership will be missed by his Rams teammates, who benefited mightily from his presence this season.
Coach Casey Lawrence’s comment: “Avery is a true competitor and always wants the ball in the big games. He puts in the work year-round to better himself for the benefit of the team. Whenever it was Avery’s turn to pitch, everyone knew we had a chance to win and it elevated the play of the entire team. Avery’s competitiveness and versatility on the diamond was invaluable and he leaves some big shoes to fill after being a four-year starter.”
Previous winners:
• 2023 Andrew Burke (lacrosse)
* 2022 Daniel Landry (tennis)
* 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)
LARA GIN, Senior – Track
• SMAA all-star, second-team (400)
* SMAA All-Academic team
* Captain
Gin capped her stellar Deering athletic career this spring with another round of dominance and she’ll be remembered as one of the school’s finest athletes of recent vintage.
Gin, who was named Deering Spring Athlete of the Year in 2023, as well as Fall Athlete of the Year her junior and senior seasons, made her presence felt early on the track, coming in fourth in the 400 as a sophomore. As a junior, she finished third in the 400 and placed eighth in the triple jump at states, then went on to finish 16th in the 400 at New Englands.
The 2024 outdoor season saw Gin again save her best for the biggest meets, but first, she had to ease into the season nursing an injury, and she focused solely on the high jump early on.
By the conference championships, Gin was back in top form as a runner, placing runner-up in the 400 (59.84 seconds). At states, where Deering tied for 13th as a team, Gin was third in the 400 (59.45). Gin then capped her high school career by placing 20th in the 400 at New Englands (59.8).
Gin plans to compete next year in track and field at American University in Washington D.C. She’s going to be tough to replace. Or forget.
Coach Maria Curit’s comment: “Lara came into the season with an injury, so we started her off slowly by just putting her in the high jump, an event that she hadn’t done in years. She ended up winning the high jump in that meet and going all the way to the state meet in the high jump as well. That’s a true testament to her all-around athletic ability. She’s an athlete that will step up to the plate in whatever is asked of her and do it to her full ability. Not only did she lead our team vocally but also by her actions. She has had an amazing track and field career at Deering and we can’t wait to see her excel as a runner and jumper in college.”
Previous winners:
• 2023 Lara Gin (track)
* 2022 Saya Breiting-Brown (track)
* 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)
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