Gryffin Kristan has compiled a long list of accomplishments at Boothbay Region High School. The 17-year-old senior is a top scholar by achieving high honors in each high school semester. He is a three-sport varsity athlete. He also made his mark in student government by serving as class president for the past two years, student council, and this year, he became student body president. By virtue of his high office, Kristan serves as student representative to the school committee. 

But with 50-plus days prior to graduation, there are a couple things that still need crossing off his “to-do” list. One is selecting a college. Kristan is considering Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and majoring in liberal arts for a possible career in economics. He is also considering LeHigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to pursue electrical engineering. “I’m torn between the two. Both have really good programs.”

He is leaning toward electrical engineering, but finds studying economics interesting. This year, he took a college-level economics course from University of Maine which fueled his interest. “You learn how economies work and how they interact with other parts of the communities. It’s a lot like why I enjoy serving as student representative on the school board. You see how all the decisions are made and understand why they were made,” he said.

His decision will come soon as the deadline for accepting a college invitation is May 1.Another “to-do” list item is playing his final year of high school baseball. This may be the most anticipated Boothbay baseball season in a generation. Expectations are high for the Seahawk-9 as the season comes on the heels of the program’s first playoff win in years.

Kristan is expected to make a huge contribution as a pitcher, shortstop and slugger.  He pitched in last season’s win over Telstar in the Class C South preliminary round. In the quarterfinals, Boothbay led Lisbon 4-1 in the fifth inning before a costly injury to the catcher resulted in Lisbon’s rally. The Greyhounds went on to win the 2022 state championship.

“Really looking forward to baseball. It’s my favorite sport,” Kristan said. “The game against Lisbon showed what we can do. We have a lot of guys back so I can’t wait to start the season.” His passion for the game comes from both pitching and batting.

“I love hitting. It is such an amazing feeling when you connect with the pitch,” he said. 

In basketball, he compiled over 600 varsity points as a four-year team member. His first-season consisted of swinging between varsity and junior varsity squads. He became starter in his sophomore year, but the season was modified due to COVID-19. In his junior season, Boothbay struggled through the regular season, but qualified for the tournament by beating No. 2 Old Orchard Beach in the preliminary round. “We trailed by 14 at halftime, and as many as 19 in the third quarter, but we stuck together, fought back and won. It was an amazing victory,” he said. 

In his senior year, Boothbay finished seventh in the Heal point standings. The season’s high point was winning eight in a nine-game span.“It was a lot of fun playing with those guys. We are a close group. As the season progressed we improved so much as a team. So it was disappointing we didn’t make the tournament.”

Despite the disappointment, Kristan was named to the All-Mountain Valley Conference First Team for basketball. He was also named to 2023 Maine McDonald’s Senior Boys’ Academic All-State Team.

His third sport was cross country. He ran four years for Coach Nick Scott and was in the team’s top seven all four years. His best time in the three-mile plus course is 18:06. He consistently finished in the Seahawks’ top three in meets. As a junior, the team won the Class C Southern Regional championship. Kristan credits his coach for his team’s and personal progress as a runner. “Mr. Scott  has the program down to a science. You start in the summer working on endurance. He pushes you hard and runs with you. He is constantly talking, and expecting you to respond.”

Kristan is not only a scholar and athlete. He is a leader. In February, the elementary school flooded due to a damaged sprinkler system triggered by unusually cold weather. School administrators decided to move elementary students into the high school and grades 9-12 to remote learning. Kristan and the student council embraced the challenge by moving resources between the elementary and high schools. Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Bob Kahler has witnessed Kristan’s leadership qualities during board meetings and actions leading the student council. 

“What isn’t impressive about him,” Kahler said. “He is very impressive in whatever he does. His actions along with other students dealing with the crisis really showed a lot. They put others above themselves which really showed a lot.” 

Kristan’s role as the school committee advisor is communicating daily school life from a student’s perspective. He also serves as a student representative on the Boothbay Region Heath Advisory Board and BRYMCA Board of Directors. “I used what I’ve learned as student advisor in my college essays. It really provided me with a real  world experience,” he said. 

Kristan did not enter student politics in his freshman year. 2020 was also the year COVID-19 emerged which cut his in-person high school experience short. In his sophomore year, he entered student government. “My brother (Rowan) was involved so I decided it was something I wanted to experience,” he said. “It’s been a cool experience being more involved in the community and serving other people by making things happen.”

He also completed a successful four-year run as a math team member. This year, Boothbay finished third in the 13-team league. “We were second for a while, but it was a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed the trivia competition,” he said. Kristan also had high praise for team coach Peter Gilchrist. “I love Mr. Gilchrist. His mind is so young, we call him the human calculator.” 

The Boothbay baseball team opens its season April 19 at 1 p.m.  at home versus Madison. Even though Kristan is anxious for the season, he will not be there. He will be visiting a college.