SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine January 23, 2024 - Today, the Gaziano Awards selection committee announced the scholarship winners of the Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Defensive and Offensive Linemen Awards. Jace Negley of Leavitt Area High School in Turner ME has been named the top senior football defensive lineman and William Gale of Falmouth High School in Falmouth ME has been named the top offensive lineman in the state based on their hard work on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. The two winners will each receive a trophy and a $5,000 scholarship from National Distributors, which will be presented to them at events held later in the school year at their respective schools.

The defensive linemen runners-up were Owen Bourque, Kennebunk High School, Kennebunk ME and Alex Dobson, South Portland High School, South Portland ME. The offensive linemen runners-up were Marshall Addy, Medomak Valley High School, Waldoboro ME and Kaden Sullivan, Bonny Eagle High School, Standish ME. Each runner-up will receive a trophy and $1,000 scholarship from KeyBank.

The Gaziano Awards are the largest high school scholarships of their kind in the country and honor the memory of the late Frank J. Gaziano who was a college football All-American and professional player before founding National Distributors Inc. in South Portland. In the past 12 years, National Distributors has donated $164,000 to Maine students. For the third year in a row, KeyBank has co-sponsored the awards in partnership with National Distributors and provides the runners-up scholarships.

For more information on the scholarship program, visit Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards - Maine Football Scholarships (gazianolinemanawards.org).