Some members of UMF’s varsity outdoor track and field team could find themselves running up against additional hurdles this coming winter. And they couldn’t be happier about it.
By Cameron Eggeman, director of sports information, August 2019
In late July, Julie Davis, director of athletics, fitness and recreation, announced a new addition to the University’s varsity sports lineup in the 2019–20 academic year: men’s and women’s indoor track and field.
Robert Hollis ’19 puts a gap on competitors from Colby and and Maine Maritime Academy in this outdoor track and field distance race. (Photo by Jeff Lamb.)
A member of the NCAA Division III North Atlantic Conference, UMF launched its varsity outdoor track and field teams in 2015 with the intent to shift the indoor track and field clubs to varsity status in a few years. Davis says the addition of both teams and expanded opportunities for varsity competition through two concurrent seasons help with recruiting more talented student-athletes to UMF through the admissions process.
“We know that offering varsity indoor track and field will help us attract and enroll a broad range of dedicated student-athletes seeking all that UMF provides academically and as a community,” says Davis. “We are appreciative of the support from University leadership to move forward with the strategic progression of these programs.”
Alexis Laliberte ’18 streaks toward the finish line. (Photo by Jeff Lamb.)
Joseph DiSalvo, head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams, says he and his student-athletes “cannot wait to get started” with the indoor team’s first varsity season.
“This is a very exciting time for our track and field program, our athletics department, and the University as a whole,” says DiSalvo, who is in his second year at UMF. “We have a strong incoming class that will add to our group of veteran student-athletes for track and field, who had hopes of this transition during their careers, and who will help us launch a strong inaugural season. Our student-athletes will greatly benefit from the extended training and competition opportunities that will now be provided through an NCAA indoor track and field season.”
Ben Toribio ’20 (left) and Alan Young ’19 complete a clean handoff, while a Bowdoin competitor awaits the baton in this sprint relay. (Photo by Jeff Lamb.)
Jessica Brink ’22 shows the form that routinely puts her among the top-10 discus throwers in conference meets. (Photo by Jeff Lamb.)
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