ORONO, Maine--University of Maine track and field star Rebecca Even (Stoneham, Mass.) was named as the America East Track and Field Performer of the Week on Tuesday announced by the conference.
Even is a sophomore who took second in the hammer throw at the Cal-Northridge Invitational two weeks ago. Her distance of 171-03 shattered the old record of 169-06 set in 2006 by Clarissa Michalak.
The track and field teams host New Hampshire on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Beckett Family Track and Field Complex on the University of Maine campus.
Good luck Rebecca!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Maine Baseball to Take on Wagner
Orono, ME- The Black Bear baseball team (12-9) is headed to Wagner for a four-game series this weekend. Maine lost to the Sacred Heart pioneers this past Saturday before winning on Sunday.
Joe Litterio, the Wagner baseball coach can’t help but look into his team’s competition this weekend. Maine is currently being led by sophomore Ian Leisenheimer (Middle Village, NY) who hits .410 with 16 runs scored and a 19 RBI. Leisenheimer has had two triples and two homeruns. Billy Cather (Worcester, Mass) has a .397 batting average with a team high of 19 runs scored and 15 RBI. Cather excels at stealing bases with a total of eight so far this season.
These two top players for the Black Bears are feared by Wagner. Their coach Litterio must construct a tough defense against Maine’s aggressive offense.
Joe Litterio, the Wagner baseball coach can’t help but look into his team’s competition this weekend. Maine is currently being led by sophomore Ian Leisenheimer (Middle Village, NY) who hits .410 with 16 runs scored and a 19 RBI. Leisenheimer has had two triples and two homeruns. Billy Cather (Worcester, Mass) has a .397 batting average with a team high of 19 runs scored and 15 RBI. Cather excels at stealing bases with a total of eight so far this season.
These two top players for the Black Bears are feared by Wagner. Their coach Litterio must construct a tough defense against Maine’s aggressive offense.
The Real Bananas
Orono, ME- Have you ever wondered who is behind the black bear mascot that runs around basketball games and skates across the ice at hockey games? Who are these mystical people? Why do we never see their face?
It was rumored once that the people in the “Bananas” suit were trouble-makers who had to pay off community service by being the mascot at games. I have recently met Banana’s in the flesh however! The Bananas mascot outfit belongs to a fraternity who gives back to the UMaine community by raising school spirit at games and other athletic events.
This fall, when the football team made it to playoff game in Iowa, the fraternity sent a member with the football team and cheering squad to help the team’s moral. It was a great addition especially since the Northern Iowa Panthers had some stiff competition with their ferocious black panther.
Banana’s got his name many decades ago when he riled up the crowd at games and people were said to “go bananas for him!” Bananas is a UMaine icon that not only raises school spirit but brings smiles to the faces of all who interact with him or see him.
It was rumored once that the people in the “Bananas” suit were trouble-makers who had to pay off community service by being the mascot at games. I have recently met Banana’s in the flesh however! The Bananas mascot outfit belongs to a fraternity who gives back to the UMaine community by raising school spirit at games and other athletic events.
This fall, when the football team made it to playoff game in Iowa, the fraternity sent a member with the football team and cheering squad to help the team’s moral. It was a great addition especially since the Northern Iowa Panthers had some stiff competition with their ferocious black panther.
Banana’s got his name many decades ago when he riled up the crowd at games and people were said to “go bananas for him!” Bananas is a UMaine icon that not only raises school spirit but brings smiles to the faces of all who interact with him or see him.
Carrai to Join Track & Field
Smithfield, RI- A 400 meter runner 4x4 who finished fourth last week at in invitational at Bryant University will soon be joining the Black Bear Track and Field team.
Matthew Carrai, a junior at Bryant University is majoring in business administration and minoring in communications. Carrai was born and raised in Hopkinton, MA, the starting point of the Boston Marathon. Carrai has been running for six years and finished with a time of 49.6 seconds in his 400 meter last week. Carrai plans to transfer to Maine next fall for multiple reasons.
“I wasn’t having a good college experience at Bryant and I’ve heard great things about Maine and their track and field program. I’m looking forward to the relaxed atmosphere and fun loving people.”
Track isn’t the only reason Carrai plans to become a Black Bear; his longtime girlfriend is a student here and he wants to relocate closer to her.
When asked about his passion for track and field, Carrai said, “The feeling before and after a race is one that I can’t get anywhere else.”
Matthew Carrai, a junior at Bryant University is majoring in business administration and minoring in communications. Carrai was born and raised in Hopkinton, MA, the starting point of the Boston Marathon. Carrai has been running for six years and finished with a time of 49.6 seconds in his 400 meter last week. Carrai plans to transfer to Maine next fall for multiple reasons.
“I wasn’t having a good college experience at Bryant and I’ve heard great things about Maine and their track and field program. I’m looking forward to the relaxed atmosphere and fun loving people.”
Track isn’t the only reason Carrai plans to become a Black Bear; his longtime girlfriend is a student here and he wants to relocate closer to her.
When asked about his passion for track and field, Carrai said, “The feeling before and after a race is one that I can’t get anywhere else.”
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Laverdiere Dislocates Finger
Orono, ME- On Thursday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. disaster struck the Umaine Cheering squad when one of their most valued flyers dislocated her middle finger.
Lysa Laverdiere sprinted out of the multi-purpose room in the field house after injuring her finger during a routine stunt that went freakishly wrong.
“I was attempting a double down out of a heel stretch when my middle finger hit my back shoulder and I felt a rush of pain. I looked down to see my finger pointing in the wrong direction. I screamed and ran downstairs and got ice and the trainer violently pulled it back into place.”
Lysa returned back upstairs with a bag of ice and was asked by her coach to remain seated. When asked about her recovery she said, “I’m going to fight through the pain and be back on the mat in an hour.”
Lysa Laverdiere is a first year cheerleader at UMaine. She graduated in 2008 from Lewiston High School. Today, she dislocated the finger on the same hand that she broke in 2007 also doing a double down.
“Competing is my favorite part of cheering.” Lysa says, “I will not let my team down.”
Lysa Laverdiere sprinted out of the multi-purpose room in the field house after injuring her finger during a routine stunt that went freakishly wrong.
“I was attempting a double down out of a heel stretch when my middle finger hit my back shoulder and I felt a rush of pain. I looked down to see my finger pointing in the wrong direction. I screamed and ran downstairs and got ice and the trainer violently pulled it back into place.”
Lysa returned back upstairs with a bag of ice and was asked by her coach to remain seated. When asked about her recovery she said, “I’m going to fight through the pain and be back on the mat in an hour.”
Lysa Laverdiere is a first year cheerleader at UMaine. She graduated in 2008 from Lewiston High School. Today, she dislocated the finger on the same hand that she broke in 2007 also doing a double down.
“Competing is my favorite part of cheering.” Lysa says, “I will not let my team down.”
give us SOMETHING!
Orono, ME- If anyone were to witness a UMaine cheerleading practice, you wouldn’t be able to argue that cheering isn’t a sport. A misconception about cheerleading is that we do sideline cheers and throw up a few stunts at football and basketball games. Cheering for sports teams is difficult and hard work, however, I myself do not consider that a sport. Competitive cheering, which practices almost every day for hours at a time, defies gravity and would leave anyone unfamiliar with competitive cheering breathless. The basket tosses, fast-paced dances, tumbling sequences, and elaborate pyramids are more of a sport then I’ve ever seen. Weird that the University doesn’t recognize our team as a sport, yet holds us to the same standards as all other athletes in terms of grades, conduct, etc. We get zero funding and are not allowed to sign up for classes with other athletes, yet have the same, if not more practices than them we have to fit into our busy schedules. We are required by the athletic department to be at every men’s and women’s basketball game and every football game. What do we get in return? A scholarship? A few bucks for a new uniform? A single privilege that other athletes get? Access to the training room when we accidentally bust out a team member’s two front teeth? HA yea right
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