AUGUSTA — Cody Martin was sitting in his third block biology class Monday afternoon at Lawrence High School when he received a text from his father, Tim.
The message?
“He told me that I was a (Travis Roy Award) finalist,” said an exuberant Martin, a senior forward on the Lawrence/Skowhegan hockey team.
Added Tim Martin: “He wrote me right back and said, among other things, ‘are you kidding me?'”
But this was no joke.
Cody Martin, a three-sport athlete and four-year starter for the Bandits, was named a finalist for the Travis Roy Award, given annually to the top senior in Class A.
The other finalists are Falmouth forward Isac Nordstrom, South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport forward Andrew Whipple and St. Dominic forward Bradford Berube.
The winner will be announced Sunday at a banquet at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Lawrence/Skowhegan coach Ted Fabian, who won the Travis Roy Award in 2006 while at Messalonskee. “He’s worked so hard to become the player he is. For him to be recognized as a finalist, it’s just awesome. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
No player/coach tandem has won the award since its inception in 1996.
“We could make history,” Fabian said. “That would be cool.”
Cody Martin finished with 35 goals, 26 assists for 61 points in helping the Bandits to a fourth-place finish in Eastern A. Lawrence/Skowhegan fell to No. 5 Edward Little in the quarterfinals. Martin finished his career with 78 goals and 51 assists.
He acknowledged he was more than just a bit stunned when he heard the news Monday.
“Yeah, I couldn’t believe it at all,” he said. “I just thought there were a lot of other better players than me. That was pretty much all I was thinking. When I heard, I just couldn’t take it in all at once. It’s an honor.”
Next up for Martin will be writing a speech, which all finalists will deliver at the banquet.
“It’s going to have to be good,” Martin added. “I’ll have to get some help from my coach.”
Added Fabian: “I remember being in those shoes. You are excited and nervous at the same time. You have to speak in front of hundreds of people, and I know I was nervous. However, once you get up there it’s OK. I know Cody will do fine.”
Bill Stewart — 621-5618
Twitter: @billstewartmtm
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