The smile on Boothbay Region High School Athletic Director Allan Crocker's face remained for about five minutes as he summarized the school's 2012 fall sports season at the start of the annual banquet held Thursday, Nov. 1 in the Boothbay Region High School gym.

“We had about half of our school population involved in sports this fall,” said Crocker, a BRHS graduate who excelled in wrestling.

Other team highlights outlined by Crocker:

-The boys' and girls' cross-country teams were both Mountain Valley Conference runners-up; each team qualified for the state meet; and junior Sophia Thayer was the school's first-ever Western Maine Class C champion;

-The football team was competitive in every game, winning three games in one of the most competitive schedules in the league. “Boothbay football is back,” Crocker said;

-The field hockey team made the playoffs for the second straight year, losing to the eventual Eastern Maine champion, Winthrop;

-The soccer team was competitive in most games and hosted three games at Sherman Field, one under the lights.

Crocker began the program after the athletes and parents enjoyed a potluck buffet of casseroles, salads and desserts provided by members of the BRHS Boosters Club and parents. Each team met separately around the school before the banquet so coaches could hand out certificates, letters, numerals and insignias (for their letters) to each athlete.

Guest speaker at the banquet was Lauren Forgues, a 2006 BRHS graduate who nearly qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in racewalking.

During her brief speech, Forgues emphasized teamwork and working hard to achieve “your goals.” She said she is still friends with her fellow high school teammates and that “your high school memories will last forever.” She wished everyone good luck in the future.

The following awards were presented by Crocker prior to the fall sports coaches handing out their plaques for most valuable, most improved and coaches award.

Mountain Valley Conference Awards

Academic All-Stars (grade point average of 90 or higher): Arden McSwain and Louise Monroe, field hockey; Sam Schwehm and Will Leighton, boys' cross-country

First Team All-Stars: Sophia Thayer and Hannah Morley, girls' cross-country; Alex Owen, boys' cross-country; Sarah Caron, field hockey;

Second Team All-Stars: Benn Scully and Robert Campbell, boys' cross-country; Madison McCarthy, field hockey; Morgan Crocker;

Honorable Mention All-Stars: Arden McSwain and Jessica Murray, field hockey; Mikayla McFetridge and Anna Baumm, girls' soccer; Matt Burnham, Jack Hasch and Sam Schwehm, boys' cross-country; Maya Schwehm and Genevieve Taylor, girls' cross-country.

Girls' Cross-Country Coach of the Year: Nick Scott

Boys' Cross-Country Coach of the Year Runner-Up: Nick Scott

Girls' Cross-Country Runner of the Year: Sophia Thayer

The voting for the Campbell Conference football awards by the coaches was postponed this week due to Hurricane Sandy. However, Crocker announced the school's four nominees: running backs/linebackers Cormac Miller and Kameron Markee; and linemen Lincoln Simmons and Antonio Maulolo.

Athletes of the Month

(Nominated by BRHS coaches)

September: Cormac Miller, football; and Sophia Thayer, girls' cross-country. Honorable mention: Hannah Morley and Robert Campbell, cross-country; Mikayla McFetridge and Anna Baumm, girls' soccer.

October: Alex Owen, boys' cross-country; and Sophia Thayer, girls' cross-country. Honorable mention: Sinead Miller and Evie Greenleaf, girls' soccer; Brooke Alley, field hockey; Morgan Crocker and Benn Scully, cross-country.