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Gardner-area teams had their fair share of top talent last year, but some stood apart from the rest. These are the players always contributing in multiple ways, whether it's being the big scorer or the playmaker in a less stat-driven role. They go above and beyond when it comes to effort and dedication, the last ones in and out of the gym or stadium. These players are not just great at their sport, but leaders to their teammates and school community.
After a strong 2025-26 sports season, The Gardner News is excited to honor the Male Athlete of the Year. Before we pick, we are putting out a poll to let readers have a say in the decision.
The vote will be in the style of our typical Player/Athlete of the Year awards that we do for each individual sport. Results of the readers' poll will count for 25% while TGN staff votes count for the other 75%.
Players were chosen due to their impact in their sport with an emphasis on multisport athletes who made contributions on more than one team.
Check out the nominees for Male Athlete of the Year and be sure to cast your vote in the poll.
The poll will run until 12 a.m. on Aug. 24. All votes must be cast online.
Print readers can vote at thegardnernews.com.
More: See who Narragansett will face for the upcoming 2026 football season
Ankoma-Mensah was a three-sport athlete for the Panthers in football, indoor and outdoor track and field. He had a strong fall season on the field, rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown, had 38 tackles and a sack and added two punt-return touchdowns and a kickoff return TD. He utilized his speed from football to carry momentum into the winter and spring track seasons as a sprinter. He was fifth place in the 55 meter at the Div. 5 outdoor state championship and was also a member of the 4x400 relay that placed fifth.
Denio-O'Connor was a standout in three sports for Narragansett: football, basketball and baseball. As a running back and defensive back for the Warriors, he was a major part of their winning season and trip to the Div. 8 state tournament. In the winter, he was a playmaker and leader on the court. Though not the top scorer, his hustle, defensive plays and chemistry with teammates was key in having a successful season that led to an appearance in the Clark Tournament and state tournament. Denio-O'Connor led as Narragansett's ace pitcher in the spring for baseball. His maturity on the mound helped the team to its first winning season in over a decade. He was 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA and racked up 50 strikeouts. Offensively he had a .340 batting average, 10 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.
More: See what teams Quabbin high school football will face this season
Gamache had an outstanding three seasons for the Wildcats to cap off his high school career. He was named a Co-Player of the Year for soccer after leading as the team's top scorer with 20 goals and 16 assists. He also earned Mid-Wach D and Central Mass. all-star status. This winter he became Gardner's newest 1,000-point scorer, averaging 19 points per game while leading the team to the Mid-Wach D league title. He also earned the title of league Co-MVP. Gamache had a breakout season in baseball as well, excelling as a quick and skilled second baseman and leading Central Mass. in hitting. He finished with a batting average of .634, 33 hits, 24 RBIs and 26 runs. He also broke the school record of stolen bases in a season with 46.
Kauffman shined in three sports for the Warriors in the 2025-26 school year as a senior. Most notably, he became a 1,000-point scorer for the basketball team while leading the team to their first appearance in the new state tournament bracket as well as a spot in the renowned Clark Tournament for the first time since 2020. He finished his career with 1,392 points to be the boys' all-time scorer and was the Mid-Wach D League co-MVP. In the fall, he competed for Gardner's golf co-op and was part of bringing the team to its first postseason run in 12 years. In the spring, he was a solid infielder that helped the Warriors qualify for the Div. 4 state tournament.
Roy is a major playmaker in all three of his sports- football, basketball and lacrosse. This spring, the junior defenseman was named an All-American for the second year in a row. He finished with 108 ground balls, 57 caused turnovers, nine goals and 11 assists. During the basketball season, he added a handful of points but made his mark as a fast and aggressive player, stepping up to play the center position, despite being smaller than the typical center in the area. On the football field, he contributes as an outside linebacker and running back and continues to prove himself as an unsung hero- not always having the flashiest stat line but making a difference in moments that matter.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Fab Five: Which of these star players is Male Athlete of the Year?
Continue reading...
After a strong 2025-26 sports season, The Gardner News is excited to honor the Male Athlete of the Year. Before we pick, we are putting out a poll to let readers have a say in the decision.
The vote will be in the style of our typical Player/Athlete of the Year awards that we do for each individual sport. Results of the readers' poll will count for 25% while TGN staff votes count for the other 75%.
Players were chosen due to their impact in their sport with an emphasis on multisport athletes who made contributions on more than one team.
Check out the nominees for Male Athlete of the Year and be sure to cast your vote in the poll.
The poll will run until 12 a.m. on Aug. 24. All votes must be cast online.
Print readers can vote at thegardnernews.com.
More: See who Narragansett will face for the upcoming 2026 football season
The poll
The nominees
Owura Ankoma-Mensah, Quabbin
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Ankoma-Mensah was a three-sport athlete for the Panthers in football, indoor and outdoor track and field. He had a strong fall season on the field, rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown, had 38 tackles and a sack and added two punt-return touchdowns and a kickoff return TD. He utilized his speed from football to carry momentum into the winter and spring track seasons as a sprinter. He was fifth place in the 55 meter at the Div. 5 outdoor state championship and was also a member of the 4x400 relay that placed fifth.
Preston Denio-O'Connor, Narragansett
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Denio-O'Connor was a standout in three sports for Narragansett: football, basketball and baseball. As a running back and defensive back for the Warriors, he was a major part of their winning season and trip to the Div. 8 state tournament. In the winter, he was a playmaker and leader on the court. Though not the top scorer, his hustle, defensive plays and chemistry with teammates was key in having a successful season that led to an appearance in the Clark Tournament and state tournament. Denio-O'Connor led as Narragansett's ace pitcher in the spring for baseball. His maturity on the mound helped the team to its first winning season in over a decade. He was 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA and racked up 50 strikeouts. Offensively he had a .340 batting average, 10 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.
More: See what teams Quabbin high school football will face this season
Camden Gamache, Gardner
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Gamache had an outstanding three seasons for the Wildcats to cap off his high school career. He was named a Co-Player of the Year for soccer after leading as the team's top scorer with 20 goals and 16 assists. He also earned Mid-Wach D and Central Mass. all-star status. This winter he became Gardner's newest 1,000-point scorer, averaging 19 points per game while leading the team to the Mid-Wach D league title. He also earned the title of league Co-MVP. Gamache had a breakout season in baseball as well, excelling as a quick and skilled second baseman and leading Central Mass. in hitting. He finished with a batting average of .634, 33 hits, 24 RBIs and 26 runs. He also broke the school record of stolen bases in a season with 46.
Maxim Kauffman, Narragansett
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Kauffman shined in three sports for the Warriors in the 2025-26 school year as a senior. Most notably, he became a 1,000-point scorer for the basketball team while leading the team to their first appearance in the new state tournament bracket as well as a spot in the renowned Clark Tournament for the first time since 2020. He finished his career with 1,392 points to be the boys' all-time scorer and was the Mid-Wach D League co-MVP. In the fall, he competed for Gardner's golf co-op and was part of bringing the team to its first postseason run in 12 years. In the spring, he was a solid infielder that helped the Warriors qualify for the Div. 4 state tournament.
Silas Roy, Oakmont
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Roy is a major playmaker in all three of his sports- football, basketball and lacrosse. This spring, the junior defenseman was named an All-American for the second year in a row. He finished with 108 ground balls, 57 caused turnovers, nine goals and 11 assists. During the basketball season, he added a handful of points but made his mark as a fast and aggressive player, stepping up to play the center position, despite being smaller than the typical center in the area. On the football field, he contributes as an outside linebacker and running back and continues to prove himself as an unsung hero- not always having the flashiest stat line but making a difference in moments that matter.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Fab Five: Which of these star players is Male Athlete of the Year?
Continue reading...
