Readers from across the state submitted more than 300 nominations for the second annual Varsity Maine Awards – and we are pleased to announce finalists in each of the categories.

Finalists will be recognized and winners announced on stage in a ceremony honoring the best in Maine high school sports. The awards show will be held Tuesday, May 2, at the Costello Sports Complex on the University of Southern Maine campus in Gorham.

The Varsity Maine Awards, hosted by the Maine Sunday Telegram, will be hosted by Erin Ovalle and DJ Mijo.  In addition to the 10 nomination categories, girls’ and boys’ athletes of the year will be selected by the sports staffs of the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.

Here are the finalists in each category:

THE ACADEMIC ACE

Madeline Beaulieu, Maine Girls’ Academy; Kate Guerin, Mt. Ararat; Matt Ingram, Winthrop; Hayden Sattler, Ellsworth; Ben Steeves, Bonny Eagle.

THE BETTER NEIGHBOR

Sam Alvarado, Ellsworth; Nick Archambault, Portland; Alexandria Fraize, Fryeburg Academy; Emily Jefferds, Scarborough; Anna Lane, Massabesic.

THE CLUTCH PLAYER

Kayley Cimino, Greely; Cody Craig, Skowhegan; Jackson Fotter, Gorham; Abby Hamilton, Yarmouth; Tasia Titherington, Deering.

THE COACH OF THE YEAR

Steve DeAngelis, Maranacook; Heidi Deery, Rangeley; Kathy Leahy, Thornton Academy; Sandy Nelson, Vinalhaven; Chad Sturgis, A.R. Gould.

THE FAB FRESHMAN

Emma Gallant, Cheverus; Raegan Kelly, Noble; Simon McCormick, Cony; Hayden St. Amand, Waterville; Maggie Strohm, Old Orchard Beach.

THE LOUDEST AND PROUDEST

Karen and Danny Baron, Ellsworth; Rick and Jackie Buzzell, Fryeburg Academy; MOB hockey fans; Stephanie Smith, Greater Portland Christian; Wayne and Jennifer Witham, Lawrence.

THE ROLE MODEL

Kiara Carr, Temple; Ellie Chidsey, Waynflete; Ellie Clarke, Ellsworth; Grace Decker, Thornton Academy; Austin Dutremble, Biddeford.

THE TEAM OF THE YEAR

Gorham girls’ basketball; Thornton Academy boys’ tennis; St. Dominic girls’ hockey; Vinalhaven girls’ basketball; York field hockey.

THE UNSUNG HERO

Kaylin Delaney, Fryeburg Academy; Lydia Henderson, South Portland; Bruce Hunter, Maranacook; Michelle Rowe, Gorham; Haley Thebarge, Skowhegan.

THE WOW FACTOR

Gilleyanne Davis-Oakes, Vinalhaven; Victoria Garand, Deering; Logan Reardon, Central; Ruslan Reiter, Maranacook; Parker Wyatt, Falmouth.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Emily Esposito, Gorham; Abby Hamilton, Yarmouth; Lily Posternak, York; Ally Turner, Messalonskee; Caitlin Tycz, Brunswick.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Bradley Beaulieu, Marshwood; Austin Lufkin, Brewer; Jarod Norcross Plourde, Edward Little; Sam Rusak, Scarborough; Ryan Twitchell, Greely.