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 Female 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 Female Athlete of the Year and cast your vote in the poll.
The poll will run until 12 a.m. on Aug. 26. All votes must be cast online.
Print readers can vote at thegardnernews.com.
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The poll
The nominees
Addison Boudreau, Monty Tech
The freshman had a stellar first year at Monty Tech playing soccer and basketball. She dominated on the soccer field, earning TGN's Girls Soccer Player of the Year award. Boudreau was the Bulldogs' leading scorer with 23 goals and 11 assists and led the team to a 12-6 record and appearance in the Division 3 state tournament. She continued momentum into the winter and led as the top scorer on the basketball court too, averaging 14.6 points per game to put her at the top of the CMAC E leaderboard.
Abi Falconi, Quabbin
Falconi is a focused and determined athlete always striving to improve herself in her sports. In soccer, she had nine goals and five assists her senior season. She was named TGN Girls Indoor Track Athlete of the Year after an impressive campaign. One of her best events was shot put, which she competed at the New England Championship (22nd), Meet of Champions (sixth) and Div. 5 state championship (third). She had similar success in the outdoor season, placing second in shot put at Div. 5 states and ninth in the event at the Meet of Champions.
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Alli Fitzsimmons, Gardner
Fitzsimmons was a standout three-sport athlete for the Wildcats in soccer, basketball and softball. All three seasons she dominated and was a leader for her teams. She finished her high school sports career on the softball field, reaching 100 career hits and contributing as the catcher. A quick and aggressive guard, she averaged 13.6 points during basketball season along with 3.3 assists, 4.3 steals, 2.6 rebounds and 4.9 deflections per game, leading the team to a co-league title and an appearance in the Div. 3 state tournament. In the fall, Fitzsimmons was a confident and assertive midfielder who rarely left the field during a game. She had five goals and nine assists to cap off her senior season and was named a Mid-Wach D all-star and Central Mass. all-star.
Jada LeBlanc, Oakmont
LeBlanc had a strong junior campaign for the Spartans in three sports: soccer, basketball and lacrosse. She was a huge component to Oakmont girls basketball's success this season in which they won the Clark Tournament large school bracket. She averaged 7.8 points per game while leading as the point guard. She continued her leadership abilities into the spring as a key member of the lacrosse team. She finished with 52 goals and 15 assists this spring to prove herself on the field. In the fall, she also was a strong midfielder on the girls soccer team, always contributing her speed, skill and aggression on the field.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: VOTE: Gardner News Female Athlete of the Year