Owl athletes recognized, XC wraps up
Sixteen University of Maine at Presque Isle fall athletes garnered post-season honors from the Association of Division III Independents.
Johnson
Jason Johnson was named men’s rookie of the year among cross country athletes. He also made the men’s second team along with teammate Justin Fereshetian. Receiving honorable mention for women were Shelly Hanson and Kati Christoffel.
In men’s soccer, Devon Peaslee was named to the first team as a forward and Craig Maffei also made the first team as a midfielder. Matt Carrington was named to the second team as a defender.
In women’s soccer, Lainey Herring, a forward, made the first team along with defenders Katie Moody and Elizabeth Keagan. Forward Desiree Smith and midfielders Makayla Gahagan and Chelsea Boudreau were named to the second team, while goalkeeper Taylor Ussery earned honorable mention. Moody
For volleyball, middle back Erica Davis made the first team and outside hitter Michelle Ferry received honorable mention.
The Association of Division III Independents consists of 14 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The association also provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.
The UMPI cross country season concluded in November with a trip to the NAIA National Championship in Vancouver, Wash. for two of the university’s athletes, Justin Fereshetian and Shelly Hanson.
Out of a field of 323 male runners, Fereshetian ended up 303rd in 29:45, while Hanson was 318th out of 330 female runners with a time of 23:11 on the five-kilometer course.
“Such a competitive race gives our runners something to shoot for in successive years, as Justin has two more years left and Shelly one,” said UMPI cross country coach Chris Smith. “This is but one more step in their development as runners, one that is as much psychological as physiological.
“Traveling such as distance, to race with a three-hour time difference and against such a high quality field translates to top experiences that are helping their development.”
