Mount Mercy Academy bestows the Senior Athlete Award to the senior who exemplifies not only athletic ability, but sportsmanship, leadership and character. During her four years at Mount Mercy Academy, this young woman excelled in at least two sports and was recognized by her coaches, teammates and other individuals within the Monsignor Martin League. This year the award was bestowed on Abigail Mailloux.
Mailloux participated in three sports, including soccer, basketball and lacrosse for all four of her high school years. She received All-Catholic honors in all three sports this year.
In soccer, she was a Second Team All-Catholic pick for the second straight year. She was one of the team’s top offensive players. Mailloux was a four-year starter for the Magic soccer team.
Soccer coach Madelyn Higgins had the following comments about Mailloux. “Over the years it has been a pleasure to coach Abby. She is a true athlete that puts her heart into all she does. Abby is a very coachable athlete who is always looking to better herself each day. She had to adapt this year to a new style of play within the formation we chose and did so with grace. She took the challenge head on, asking questions and communicating with those around her which ultimately lead her to success,” Higgins remarked. “Along with her skill, Abby is an awesome teammate. She is kind to all those around her and always their biggest supporter on and off the field. Abby has had great impact on my team over the years and will be greatly missed.”
Mailloux, a three-year varsity basketball team member, was slowed this season by a foot injury. While she was out, she stayed engaged by motivating her teammates and serving as a student assistant coach. She is noted for strong defense and her high basketball IQ and had a season high of 13 points in a game. She was a First Team All-Catholic pick, despite her injury.
Lacrosse was Mailloux’s top sport, as she finished the season as a First Team All-Catholic, moving up from last season’s Second Team selection. She was the team’s leading scorer the past two years. She scored 31 goals this year and 28 goals last year. She had four assists this year as well. She finished her career with 75 goals.
Mount Mercy lacrosse coach Haley Gaulton commented, “Coaching Abby was definitely a great experience. In my first year of coaching lacrosse, I had some experience with being a dance teacher for 10 years, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having to teach 20 girls how to play a sport most of them have never played wasn’t an easy task. However, Abby was definitely someone who took everything I taught her and applied it not only in practice, but also outside of practice. She practiced on her own and played in a couple different leagues to perfect her craft. There’s only so much time I get to spend with the girls at practice and games, so for someone to spend their free time on it was huge,” Gaulton stated.
“Her talent speaks for itself, but her determination and perseverance through the tough seasons we had speaks volumes. Even if we were down by 10 goals, her work ethic never wavered. She continued to work with her teammates to try to score and get everyone on the same page. If I needed something done, a message relayed, help with a play or to get everyone together, I leaned on Abby. Her lacrosse career at Mount Mercy was definitely one for the books, but her ability to be coached, her positive attitude and her willingness to learn is what I’ll remember most about her.”
