Portland Public Schools student athletes distinguished themselves during the winter athletics season. Read on for summaries of student accomplishments in a wide variety of sports, compiled by Athletic Administrator/Co-curricular Director Lance Johnson at Portland High School and Athletic Administrator/Co-curricular Director Michael Daly at Deering High School:

PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL WINTER ATHLETICS – 2022

Boys Basketball

Seniors Spencer Cross, Wani Donato, Aiden Christensen, and Jared Biaya led the team to an 11-7 record. The Bulldogs lost a tough playoff game to Cheverus on a last second buzzer beater at the Portland Exposition building.

Joseph Russo - SMAA Dave Allen Coach of the Year

Wani Donato - SMAA 1st Team

Spencer Cross - SMAA Honorable Mention

Jeissy Khamis - SMAA All-Rookie Team

Girls Basketball

Seniors Lainey Randall, Lina Wakati, Elizabeth Yugu, Naulissa Tuza, and Gabby Daniels led the team to 2 impressive wins over Deering and South Portland to end the regular season. The Bulldogs lost in the playoffs to the eventual Class AA State Champions, Cheverus.

Lainey Randall - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Elizabeth Yugu - SMAA All-Defensive 1st Team and SMAA 3rd Team All-Star

Competitive Cheerleading

Seniors Ruby Collins, Mariah Coyne, Meghan Frank, Aislinn Funkhauser, and Madison Maggs led the team to impressive routines at the Regional and State Championships.

Mariah Coyne - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Meghan Frank - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Aislinn Funkhoser - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Madison Maggs - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Madison Maggs - SMAA 1st Team All-Star

Mariah Coyne and Ruby Collins - SMAA Honorable Mention All-Stars

Boys Hockey

Seniors Herbie Bryant, Andrew Legere, Carlos Braceras, Brandon Cronin, Colby Winship, and Ryan Becker led the team to wins in 6 out of their last 7 games. Entering the playoffs on a roll the Portland - Deering Team lost to eventual State Class A Champions Scarborough in overtime to end their season.

Ryan Becker - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Carlos Braceras - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)
Colby Winship - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Ryan Becker - Finalist for the Travis Roy Player of the Year Award

Girls Hockey

Led by seniors Caitlin Huyhn, Jordan King, Julia Duggan, Katie Oulton, and Kate Sawyer no team had more fun or supported each other more than this team. The Portland - Deering team’s season came to an end with a hard fought loss to #1 ranked Cape Elizabeth in the playoffs.

Julia Duggan - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Caitlin Huynh - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Boys Indoor Track

Seniors Aidan Dimillo, Grant Haron, and Charlie Stacey led the team to a 10-5 Record and placed 4th in the SMAA Championship meet. Portland High was the top Junior Division Team (9th & 10th Grades) in the SMAA so the future looks bright for the Bulldogs.

Ben Prestes - SMAA Champion in the Junior 400 meter and High Jump

Nathan Blades - SMAA Champion in the Junior 800 meter

Myles Hang - SMAA Champion Junior Shot Put

Reegan Buck, Ben Prestes, Jason Hargesheimer, and Nathan Blades - SMAA Champion Junior 4 x 200 Relay

Benjamin DiYenno, Ben Prestes, Jason Hargesheimer, and Nathan Blades advanced to the New England Championship.

Girls Indoor Track

Seniors Vanessa Connolly and Ana Napijalo led the team to a 10-4-1 Record and the team placed 5th in the SMAA Championship meet. Portland High was the top Junior Division Team (9th & 10th Grades) in the SMAA so the future looks bright for the Bulldogs in Girls Track as well.

Vanessa Connolly - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Anneliese Collin - SMAA Champion in 400 meter and High Jump

Samantha Moore - SMAA Champion 800 meter

Vanessa Connolly and Samantha Moore advanced to the New England Championships.

Boys Nordic Skiing

Seniors Luc Dietlin, Ben Horrisberger, Tobias MacCachran and George Theall led the team to a fun and exciting winter on the ice, slush and snow. The Bulldogs finished 2nd in the Class A State Meet, getting outstanding performances from George Theall, Daniel Niles, Ben Horrisberger, George Ayer, Alex Price, Luc Dietlin, Charlie Jacques, and Jack Watson.

Luc Dietlin - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

George Theall - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Girls Nordic Skiing

Seniors Meribel Collin, Isabella Moran, and Ruby Wolff led the team to a fun and exciting winter on the ice, slush and snow. The Bulldogs finished 8th in Class A State Meet, getting outstanding performances by Meribel Collin, Tenley Flint, Ella Sobol, Molly Neuner, and Charlotte McDonald.

Meribel Collin - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Isabelle Moran - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Ruby Wolff - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Boys Swimming

Seniors Jack Bonney, Kiron Das, Beo Endicott, Fox Fernald, Andrew Jasonides, Gregg O’Rourke, and Tae-Su Park led the team to a 5th place overall finish in the State. 

Jack Bonney - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Fox Fernald - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Beo Endicott - 5th in the 50 Free, 10th in the 100 Free, 3rd in the 200 Medley Relay, and 4th in the 200 Free Relay

Caden Hemond, Jack Bonney, and Oakley Bradenday finished 12th in the 400 Free Relay

Andrew Jasonides - 27th in the 100 Back

Girls Swimming

Led by the SMAA Swimmer of the Year Maria Delmonte the team finished 5th in the State.

Maria Delmonte - 1st in the 500 Free and 100 Back, 4th in the 400 Free Relay, and 5th Place in the 200 Medley Relay

Kaia West - 4th Place in the 400 Free Relay, 9th in the 500 Free and 11th in the 200 free

Anica Spencer - 14th in the 200 IM and 18th in the 500 Free.

Wrestling

Seniors Marlaco Bethune and Nasri Sougueh led the team enthusiastically through a competitive season. 

Silas Wasklewicz, Henry Spencer, Abdullah Alzamili, Bengi Daniel, Abdulaziz Mohamad, Alex Reed, and Cherif Rouamba competed with great intensity and demonstrated positive team spirit throughout the season.

Unified Basketball

The Deering - Portland Unified Basketball team had an exciting and successful season. Portland players Kiyah Draper, Bela Harnden, Lucky Iraoya, Sam Keiter, and Michael Webb showed outstanding ability and sportsmanship. Portland High helpers Maggie Heffley, Chelsea Dana, and Bobby Sue Villani enjoyed their season and learned many valuable life-lessons from their teammates

Chelsea Dana - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

Bobby Sue Villani - SMAA All-Academic Team (93% Unweighted GPA for 7 Semesters)

DEERING HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS - WINTER 2022

NORDIC SKIING

The Deering girls skiers placed 2nd in Class A Nordic Skiing at the MPA state championships - tied with Cheverus. This is the fifth time in a row the Deering Girls have been either first or second in the state. Megan Cunningham placed 3rd in nordic skate and 6th overall. The Deering boys placed 5th in states, their highest finish ever. Three Deering Nordic skiers also qualified for the Maine state team - Megan Cunningham (Easterns), Zeke Zelonish (U16 championship), Henry Morrison (U16 championship). Asa Tussing was a U16 alternate.  Megan, Zek, and Henry all competed for the Maine Team at New Englands.

BASKETBALL

Both Deering Basketball teams enjoyed successful seasons qualifying for the MPA state tournament and playing their best basketball heading into tournament time. The Boys team lost a tough battle to Lewiston in the AA North Quarterfinals finishing 8-11, while the Girls Team advanced to the Quarterfinals off an exciting win vs. Edward Little, falling to eventual state runner-up Oxford Hills.

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

The indoor track and field teams returned to compete this winter after no track events last winter and ran/jumped right back into the flow finishing 13th (Boys) and 15th (Girls) at the SMAA’s/regionals and competed well at states finishing 20th (Girls) and 25th (Boys). There were some exceptional performances on the track and field this winter for Deering student-athletes. At the state championships, Clare Dunn placed 4th in the High Jump and Saya Breiting-Brown placed 15th overall in the 55 hurdles. Team Captain Courtney Jackson also received many accolades this season, including being named the recipient of the prestigious SMAA Girls Indoor Track “Spirit Award” voted on by league officials and the “RAM” award for the DHS Girls Indoor Track team for her dedication and commitment to track and field and to her teammates. 

BOYS & GIRLS SWIMMING

The Deering-Portland Co-op Swim Teams enjoyed very successful seasons in the pool this winter, with both teams winning 7 of their 8 meets. At the Southwesterns both teams rose to the challenge and swam to earn their best team rankings at the regional meet, with the Girls Team finishing 3rd and the Boys in 6th place, which included impressive 3rd place swims for the Boys and Girls 200 Medley Relay Teams. PHS sophomore Maria DelMonte burst onto the swimming scene this year and was named regional co-swimmer of the year while on her way to winning the Class A State Championship in the 100 backstroke and 500 freestyle.

UNIFIED BASKETBALL

The Deering-Portland Co-op Unified Basketball Team enjoyed another fantastic and fun-filled winter season, winning all but one of its games and thrilling fans, family and friends who packed the gyms this winter for home and away games. The team featured athletes and partners from both DHS & PHS and was led by Coach Farausi Cherry, Coach Matt Bernstein and Coach Matt Mikkelsen.

DEERING ATHLETICS – PPH/FORECASTER WINTER ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

REMIJO WANI, JUNIOR - BOYS BASKETBALL

MEGAN CUNNINGHAM, SENIOR - NORDIC SKIING

DEERING ATHLETICS – WINTER 2022 SMAA ALL-CONFERENCE

BOYS BASKETBALL

Remijo Wani (AA North 2nd Team)

Max Chikuta (AA North Honorable Mention)

Evan Legassey (AA North All-Rookie Team)

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Maya Gayle (AA North All-Rookie Team)

CHEERLEADING

Arianna Lord (SMAA All-Star)

Clementina Monga (SMAA Honorable Mention)

Sonita Sam (SMAA Honorable Mention) 

BOYS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Avery Lawrence (SMAA 1st Team)

Denis Kevine Simost Sima Matha (SMAA 2nd Team)

GIRLS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Saya Breiting-Brown (SMAA 3rd Team)

Clare Dunn (SMAA 3rd Team)

GIRLS SWIMMING

Maria Delmonte-PHS (SMAA 1st Team & *Co-Swimmer of the Year)

DEERING ATHLETICS – WINTER 2022 SMAA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

BOYS BASKETBALL

Abdulla Al Taee

Alex Willings

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Anna Krush

Ella McGowan

Isaro (Yipsi) Sibo

UNIFIED BASKETBALL

Charlie Benider

CHEERLEADING

Adalei Brooks (BAXTER)

BOYS ICE HOCKEY

Brandon Cronin 

BOYS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Israk Ayasin

Vaughn Howard

GIRLS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Emma Hallee

Courtney Jackson

Kayla Jackson

Fatima Rocha

BOYS & GIRLS NORDIC SKIING

Deven Abrams (CBHS)

Almaedia (Ally) Butts

Megan Cunningham

Francesca Freeman

Ela (Zuzia) Varney

Willem Van Oosterum 

BOYS & GIRLS SWIMMING

Kiron Das (BAXTER)

Althea Hoag

Hadley Hoag

WRESTLING

Maxwell Hibbard

PHOTOS: (Above) Deering Boys Basketball

(Below) (From left) Deering Swimming; PHS sophomore Maria DelMonte, SMAA Swimmer of the Year; and PHS senior Wani Donato, SMAA 1st Team Basketball Player