Unity XC team seeks national championship

Unity College left the comfort of its cozy campus Wednesday bound for Rochester Hills, Mich., where its men’s cross country team appeaRochester Hills, Mich., where its men’s cross country team appears to have a serious shot at winning a national championship.

Unity win a national title? It could happen Friday when Coach Mark Kibler’s Rams compete in the National Small College Athletic Association championship at Michigan Christian College. The men’s meet begins at 11:45 a.m.

Unity was the national runnerup last year in the NSCAA, which includes only schools of less than 1,000 students. The Rams return a strong contingent that appears to match up well against the field, which includes defending champion Navajo College of Arizona.

Kibler estimated that 75-100 runners representing some 15 teams are expected to compete in the 8-kilometer race.

“We’re a stronger and a deeper team than we were last year, and some of the scouting reports are that some of the better teams are a little weaker,” Kibler said. “This year, I think the teams are going to be a little more evenly matched.”

The Rams are paced by Shawn Jyawook of Ann Arbor, Mich. Unity’s junior tri-captain has some additional motivation for the meet.

Jyawook lives about 12 miles from the site of the meet, and he attended host Michigan Christian before transferring to Unity last year. Jyawook earned All-America honors by finishing seventh overall a year ago in Arizona.

“His real strength is his mental toughness and the fact that he’s not afraid to run outside of his comfort zone,” Kibler said. “…He’s eager to repeat as an All-American, and he could bring a teammate or two along with him.”

Jyawook’s family will entertain the team for dinner during its stay in Michigan.

Sophomore tri-captain Joel Flewelling, who was 12th at last year’s nationals, gives Unity another proven big-meet runner. Gabe Spence of Adamant, Vt., and sophomore Jim Cogswell of Searsport have also pushed each other as the Rams’ Nos. 2-3-4 finishers most of the season.

Depth is a key factor that could help Unity contend for the title.

“This year, our six, seven and eight runners are to be taken seriously, and I think that’s going to help out,” Kibler said. “That takes a little bit of the pressure off the front-runners, and we’re more confident than we were last year.”

Senior captain Matthew Horgan of Waltham, Mass., and freshman Ray Webster of Warren, Mass., are hoping to give Unity a solid fifth finisher, while junior Dave Thompson of Unity, soph Joseph Henry of Greenville, and frosh Dave Lane of Benton are vying to make the Rams’ seven-man unit.

The Husson College softball team finished 1993-94 as one of the most successful in the classroom, according to the National Softball Coaches Association.

Coach Shannon Whiting’s Braves were ranked fifth in the country in the NAIA division, posting a 2.79 cumulative grade point average in 1993-94. The NSCA also selected junior outfielder Berlynda Gaudette of Center Village, Conn., as an All-American Scholar Athlete.

The business administration major had a 3.58 GPA last year.

It was the first time either of those honors were bestowed on Husson College or one of its students. Husson players are required to attend regular study halls, which are run by the team captains throughout the year.

They also attend periodic meetings with Whiting, who keeps an eye on their academic progress.

“I’m very pleased,” Whiting said. “We stress academics a lot here. We work hard and have a good time on the field, but they also know they need to do well in the classroom. That’s what they’re here for.”

The Husson College women’s basketball team and coaching staff will hold the Husson Basketball Clinic Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Newman Gymnasium in Bangor.

The clinic, which will stress basketball fundamentals, is open to girls in grades 5-8. The cost is $5, with proceeds to benefit the Braves basketball program.

Registration runs from 10-10:30 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call Coach Kissy Walker at 941-7019.