Layla Hammer, Brunswick sophomore: Hammer defended her Class A 100-yard freestyle title and won the 100 backstroke. She also was part of two state title-winning relays (200 medley, 400 free). She was named the KVAC co-performer of the meet after winning the 100 free (54.49 seconds) and 100 back (58.40). 

Jillian James, Falmouth senior: A four-time Varsity Maine All-State selection and four-time diving state champion, James continued to rewrite the record books this season. Her 11-meter dive score of 541.10 at the Class A meet broke her own state, meet and Husson University pool records. She plans to continue her career at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

Flynn Layton, Camden Hills sophomore: At the Class B state meet, Layton won the 100 free (54.84) and opened the Windjammers’ first-place 400 free relay, in addition to placing second in the 200 free individual and relay races. Layton was also named the performer of the meet at the KVAC B championship with two individual wins (100 free, 200 free) and two relay wins (200 free, 400 free).

Ella Montgomery, Ellsworth senior: Montgomery swam the state’s fastest times this season, regardless of class, in three different strokes (100 back, 100 fly, 100 free). A four-time Varsity Maine All-State selection and this year’s swimmer of the year, she was named Class B performer of the meet after defending her backstroke (57.77) and butterfly (55.12) state titles. Both times are in the all-time top 20 of Maine girls. She plans to continue her career at Fordham University in New York.

Lucy Perry, Thornton Academy sophomore: Perry won the 200 free (1:58.05) and set a school record in the 100 breast (1:07.78) at the Class A championship. She was named the performer of the meet at South Southwesterns after winning the 200 IM and 500 free, and swimming the second leg of the first-place 200 medley relay.

Gabby Roy, Lewiston junior: Roy won the 50 free and 100 fly at the Class A and KVAC championship meets, the latter of which she earned co-performer of the meet. Her 50 free (24.84) performance at KVACs was the fastest in the state. Roy was named the KVAC swimmer of the year after helping lead the Edward Little/Lewiston/Poland/Leavitt co-op to its first conference title.

Lucy Shaw, Cape Elizabeth senior: At the Class B state meet, Shaw won the 200 IM (2:14.34) and placed second in the 100 free, while anchoring the first-place 200 free relay. At North Southwesterns, Shaw won the 100 fly, 200 IM and anchored the winning 400 free relay. She plans to continue her career at Bowdoin College.

Kenzie Shields, Thornton Academy sophomore: Named the Class A performer of the meet, Shields defended her 500 free (5:11.91) title and won the 200 IM (2:12.25). She broke four school records between the conference and state championship meets. Her 500 free is in the all-time top 20 of Maine girls. At South Southwesterns, she won the 100 free, 200 free and opened the first-place 200 medley relay.

Hope Taylor, Cape Elizabeth senior: Taylor won the 200 free and 500 free at both the North Southwestern and the Class B championship meets. Her 500 free (5:10.65) at states was the fastest in the state this season and is in the all-time top 20 for Maine girls. She also swam in two state runner-up relays. She plans to continue her career at Amherst College in Massachusetts.

Sally Vannini, Camden Hills senior: Vannini helped Camden Hills win the Class B title by claiming the 50 free (25.00), swimming on two first-place relays (200 medley, 400 free) and finishing fourth in the 100 fly. She also helped the Windjammers win their second-straight KVAC title by winning the 50 free and placing second in the 100 fly.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Sarah Rasmussen, Deering/Portland: The RamDogs may not have won a single event at the Class A championships, but Rasmussen led the Deering/Portland girls swim team to its second straight state title. No diver competed, and only two swimmers placed higher than third in individual events, but the RamDogs’ depth proved to be key. They scored four swimmers in three events (100 breast, 200 free, 200 IM) and all three relay teams finished in the top five to help Deering/Portland win the state championship by a larger margin than last year (29 points to six).