The Gaziano Award for the top high school senior offensive and defensive linemen in the state has been narrowed down to six finalists.

The selection committee has chosen three finalists top offensive lineman and three finalists for top defensive lineman. When the two winners are announced on January 26th, each will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The four semi-finalists receive $1,000 scholarships.

The Gaziano panel looks for student-athletes who best epitomizes the character, leadership and perseverance of the late Frank Gaziano, who founded the National Distributors company in Portland playing college and pro football. The award was created in 2010.

2018 GAZIANO AWARD FINALISTS

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:

Chase Lamantogne, Kennebunk High School  Lamontagne, a captain on the football team, has a 95 GPA, earning him Campbell Conference All-Academic Team honors in 2018. In addition to being a three sport athlete, he is a member of the National Honor Society. In 2018, he was named the winner of the Wendy's High School Heisman at Kennebunk High School. His community involvement includes extensive work with Special Olympics of Maine for the past five years.

Aiden McGlone, Bonny Eagle High School  McGlone has achieved high honors since 2015 and is ranked 3rd in his class. He was inducted into the National Honor Society, has won numerous academic awards and was named to the WCSH 6 Varsity Club, SMAA All Conference Team and SMAA All Academic Team his senior year. In addition to football, he is also a member of Bonny Eagle's lacrosse team and unified basketball team. He mentors several students, helping them to fit in socially at the high school. He is active in the community with involvement in the Special Olympics of Maine, youth coaching, the Buxton Food Pantry and Savage Family Turkey Trot.

Zachary Reed, Scarborough High School  As captain of the football team and three-year starter as left guard, Reed was named to the SMAA All-Academic team in his senior season, was named to the SMAA First Team at offensive line and received the Scarborough High School Coach's Award. He was also the recipient of the Gerry Raymond Award as the best lineman in the SMAA. He has been a member of the Red Storm weightlifting club, band and Fire Explorers program. He has volunteered in the community for several organizations, including Project Grace, the Team Kyle 5K, Habitat for Humanity and the Coastal Community Church.

 

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:

Cole Melanson, Leavitt Area High School  Melanson has been on the honor roll at Leavitt Area High School since his freshman year. He has taken AP classes in engineering, physics and calculus. On the field in 2018, he registered 55 tackles and three sacks, was named to the Campbell Conference All-Conference team and was a Player of the Year finalist. He was also voted as the team MVP and lineman of the year. He is a three sport athlete, including the sport of weightlifting where he set the deadlift and bench press state records. He has volunteered more than 100 hours in the community during the past four years, including work with the Dempsey Challenge.

Nicholas Mills, Cony High School  Mills has a 4.0 GPA, is ranked fifth in his class and is a member of the National Honor Society. In additional to his work in the classroom, he is a member of the Cony Rams wrestling, lacrosse, math and football teams. In 2018, on the field, he led the Pine Tree Conference with 65 tackles, including 10 sacks, and was named first team All-Conference as defensive end and offensive tackle. He has spent significant time volunteering in the community at the Cohen Center, Penny Memorial United Baptist Church, the Travis Mills Foundation and as a wrestling coach.

Thomas Palmer, Thornton Academy  Palmer has been on the honor roll since his freshman year at Thornton Academy. He is among the top 25 percent of students in his class and was a member of the 2018 SMAA All-Academic Team. As a member of the state championship team for the Trojans, he was also named to the SMAA First Team as a defensive tackle. In addition to football, Palmer is a member of the Trojans indoor and outdoor track teams. Palmer is involved at Thornton Academy in several extracurricular activities, including Model U.N. and the Ambassadors Club. In the community, he participates in numerous volunteering activities with Mary's Walk for cancer research and coaches youth sports with the Saco Little League and Saco Junior Trojan Football program and is alter server at Most Holy Trinity Church.

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