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
Monday, March 23, 2009
Black Bear Softball Beats Bryant Bulldogs
North Smithfield, RI- Maine was matched up against Bryant University Saturday afternoon and won both of the games they played. The first game resulted in a Maine victory 12-7 and the second was a win 6-0.
Terren Hall from Bucksport, ME was the player of the game with four runs, five RBI, and a home run. In the top of the first inning Ashley Waters (Amesbury, Mass.) got to second base on an error, later moving to third on an Alexis Souhlaris (Derry, N.H.) single. Terren Hall quickly walked, giving the Black Bears the bases loaded with two outs. Kristen Calvetti (Milford, N.H.) hit a one-run single that gave Maine an early 1-0 advantage. After this first inning, things just kept getting better for the Black Bears.
Souhlaris started on the mound for the Black Bears and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Brynat hit a double into right field. She pitched seven shutout innings, allowed just four hits and struck out two. Souhlaris improves to 6-3 with the win.
Maine will travel to Baltimore, Md. next weekend for a double-header with UMBC on Saturday, March 28, starting at 1 p.m.
Terren Hall from Bucksport, ME was the player of the game with four runs, five RBI, and a home run. In the top of the first inning Ashley Waters (Amesbury, Mass.) got to second base on an error, later moving to third on an Alexis Souhlaris (Derry, N.H.) single. Terren Hall quickly walked, giving the Black Bears the bases loaded with two outs. Kristen Calvetti (Milford, N.H.) hit a one-run single that gave Maine an early 1-0 advantage. After this first inning, things just kept getting better for the Black Bears.
Souhlaris started on the mound for the Black Bears and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Brynat hit a double into right field. She pitched seven shutout innings, allowed just four hits and struck out two. Souhlaris improves to 6-3 with the win.
Maine will travel to Baltimore, Md. next weekend for a double-header with UMBC on Saturday, March 28, starting at 1 p.m.
Shawn Bodtmann Newest Addition to Football Team
Orono, ME-Coach Jack Cosgrove announced last week that the Black Bears will be welcoming a new linebacker this coming football season. Shawn Bodtmann is a 5-11 205 pound athlete from West Scranton HS in Pennsylvania. He is a National Honor student and an amazing athlete being named 18th in his state this past football season.
In high school, Bodtmann played linebacker, safety and running back for coach Michael DeAntona. Bodtmann helped lead his team to a pair of district championships during his football career. He had an outstanding junior season as he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 22 touchdowns. His accomplishments weren't limited to just offense, as he was also a standout on the defensive side of the field. Bodtmann recorded over 100 combined tackles, four sacks and four interceptions. He was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com in January 2009.
The Black Bears are excited and anxious to welcome their new team member next smester. Coach Cosgrove said, "He has demonstrated the characteristics of the type of student-athlete we want representing our program. He is a winner in the classroom, on the field and in his community. We expect him to have a huge impact on our program." Bodtmann is the player to watch!
Maine Baseball Dominates Sacred Heart
Orono,ME-This past Sunday afternoon the Black Bears won twice against Sacred Heart in a double-header. The first game Maine won 11-2 and the second game Maine won 5-3. Maine's new record for this season is 12-9. In the first game Matt Jebb(Toronto, Ontario) went six innings for the Black Bears on the mound and allowed two runs on six hits. He struck out two batters. He improves to 3-0 on the season. Jonatha n Balentina (Willemstad, Curacao) pitched the final three inning to earn his first save of the season. He allowed three hits. In the second game Sacred Heart took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Paul Schmidt walked, Olszyk was hit-by-a-pitch and Frank Bainer drew a walk to load the bases. Schmidt scored on a wild pitch. The UMaine Black Bears have their next game on Friday, March 27 when they travel to Wagner for the first game of a four-game series. The game is scheduled for 3 pm.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Cheering Nationals
Orono,ME-The Umaine cheering squad is competing in the NCA national collegiate cheerleading competition on april 9th in Daytona Beach, Florida. There is just one problem--they still need to raise about $1500 more. The student government gave them about $4000 less than last year and with the weak economy, fundraisers did not go well at all this year because less and less people are willing to donate. Last week, the cheerleaders met in the call center in the basement of the Alumni house and called former cheerleaders in hopes that they would donate money via check, credit card, money order, or cash. It is unknown how much money was raised during this event because they are awaiting arrival of money in the mail. Beginning this past summer, the cheerleaders took part in multiple fundraisers including a golf tournament, car wash, football game raffles, jewelry orders, fashion shows, youth cheer day, pass the megaphone at hockey games, along with a required $200 in sponsor money from businesses each cheerleader is required to get. Sadly, because the cheering team is considered a "club" and not a sport at Maine, there is close to no funding from the school to help them in their endeauvers. The cheering team needed to raise $30,000 to compete in Daytona this year. Because of the price of fuel and other things that went up, plane tickets, bus services, and even hotal rooms have gotten more and more expensive since last year. It's interesting because although the cheerign squad isn't technically an officially recognized sport at Maine, we are held to the same standards as other athletes like codes of conduct, GPA standards, and we are required to be at every mens and womens basketball game as well as football game. If you didn't already know, the UMaine cheering squad is amazing and we are competing this year in the D1 small coad division. We are up against really large schools like Lousiville and the Univeristy of Colorado, Boulder. Last year we placed 14th in our division but this year, we plan to place in the top ten at least. The cheerleaders are different from other athletes in that we appreciate every little thing we are given because we work our tails off all year long raising money just for the opprotunity to perform a 2 and a half minute routine in front of thousands of people and proudly represent our school with more spirit than anyone can even imagine. When we run out ont0 that floor chanting "BLACK BEARS", all of the hard work we put in really pays off.
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