First-year coach Jax van der Veen conducted a brief but heartfelt awards night Nov. 19 for the 2024 Boothbay Region High School field hockey team, which finished 5-10, including a quarterfinal tournament loss to eventual Class C champion Winthrop on Oct. 29.

Van der Veen thanked her players for welcoming her and putting in a fine effort during the “new era” of BRHS field hockey. She was assisted this year by another first-year coach and former Seahawk, Taylor Walby.

After presenting certificates, letters and emblems to the players, van der Veen presented plaques to the outstanding performers. Receiving the Coaches Award was senior tri-captain Abbie Clark. Freshman Izzy Andreason was given the Most Improved Player Award. Another freshman, Moriah Smith, was given the Most Valuable Player Award. Van der Veen made note that Smith provided the team with overtime goals to give the Seahawks two of their five wins. Junior Tatum French was presented with the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Certificates from the Mountain Valley Conference were also presented to four players. Senior tri-captains Magen Burge (senior) and Clark received all-star honorable mention and Clark, senior Bailey Lewis and senior Ivory Cody were named academic all stars.

Besides Clark, Burge and Cody, the team graduates one other senior, tri-captain Lily Nein. Juniors include French, Ella Watts, Rose Campbell, Abby Orchard and Sophie White. The team had no sophomores this season but it had a talented group of freshmen. Besides Andreason and Smith, the freshmen included Zuri Smith, Moriah’s twin sister, Arabella Hodgdon, Olivia Carlson, Natalie Flagg, Allie Smart and Jessica Raburn.