When George Towle goes to work in the morning, the sign still reminds him he’s at the University of Southern Maine.

But on Saturdays, it must seem that the Huskies’ women’s cross country coach is actually coaching the University of Eastern Maine squad. After all, that’s where six of his seven runners hail from.

And they’re running well.

Towle’s team competed without No. 2 runner Julie Skillings – the lone southern Mainer – at last week’s 23rd New England Championships at Franklin Park in Boston and still finished in the middle of a tightly bunched pack of Maine teams.

The Division III Huskies were 20th with 588 points, while Colby topped the Maine entrants with 573 in 16th. Bates also scored 573, while UMaine was 18th with 578.

Towle said many Portland-area athletes may not consider USM seriously at first because the school is so close to home.

But for eastern Mainers, the two-hour drive is just far enough away. That’s OK with him.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that there’s a lot of talent up there,” Towle said.

Leading the way for the Huskies is Houlton junior Eleanore Anderson, who transfered from Rhode Island after her freshman year.

Anderson was the first Division II or III runner at the New Englands, finishing 21st in 18:02 over the 5K course. The next best non-Div. I runner was 38th.

Anderson qualified for the NCAA Div. III national championships last year, and Towle is optimistic she can do so again.

“She’s running a minute faster on the same courses. I’d say her chances are reasonably good this year,” Towle said.

Skillings, a UMaine transfer from South Portland, has run sefor the Huskies. But after that, it’s all eastern Mainers.

Penny Osborne of Mt. Blue in Farmington, Julie Lagin Nasse of Madison, Hollie Harnish of Bangor, Deri Ann White of Foxcroft Academy, and Jen Wilson of Skowhegan round out the top seven.

Towle hopes his potent combination of transfers and recruits peaks on Nov. 15 when the New England Div. III national qualifier will be held at Gorham Country Club.

UMaine’s running game is likely to have a different look during today’s Atlantic 10 football game at New Hampshire.

Junior Bert Rich is scheduled to start at tailback, a position thinned by an ankle injury to freshman Ben Christopher and the departure of sophomore Trey Johnson, who has left the team.

Rich, a darting runner, is the Bears’ top ballcarrier. He has gained 382 yards on 75 carries, good for a solid 5.1-yard average. But with the speedy Christopher hobbled, Lamin Sisay has been elevated to the No. 2 spot.

The 5-foot-10, 208-pound speedster from Nashua, N.H., saw his first college action in last week’s blowout victory over Boston University in Orono. Sisay rushed four times for 21 yards.

The situation also may increase the importance of the fullback as a ballcarrier. While UMaine has utilized its fullbacks primarily as blockers, look for freshmen Chris Fellows and Matt Gribbin to pick up some of the slack.

Brent Brown of Bangor, Roy Peary of Levant, and Millinocket’s Jason Cyr have been elected tri-captains for the 1998 Husson College baseball team.

Brown, was an NAIA All-New England pitcher last season for coach John Kolasinski’s Braves. The senior righthander posted a 5-3 record with a 4.81 ERA.

Peary, a senior righty, batted .266 with 38 RBIs in 1997. Cyoutfielder, hit .328 with 20 RBIs and seven doubles.

Former Husson baseball standout Sandy McCuaig has been honored by Collegiate Baseball magazine as a recipient of the inaugural Easton Reflex Defense Awards.

McCuaig, an outfielder and shortstop for the Braves, was one of three NAIA players recognized.