Two weeks after Joanne Palombo-McCallie announced her resignation as the University of Maine women’s basketball coach, at least one local candidate has emerged – and he’s someone with whom Maine basketball fans are quite familiar.

Cony of Augusta girls coach Paul Vachon, who has led the Rams to five state championships since 1987, said he has submitted his name for consideration.

“I don’t know,” Vachon said of his chances to gain his first collegiate coaching position. “They know who I am. They’ve seen the program [at Cony]. If I had the opportunity [to coach at Maine], I’d be thrilled to death. I think at this time in my career it’s something that I’m ready to do.”

Vachon has coached the Rams for 17 years, and under him Cony has never finished below third place in the Class A regular-season standings. He notched his 300th career coaching win this season.

Vachon said he’d be a “good fit” for the job, mainly because of how familiar he is with the program – his daughter Amy just wrapped up her four years playing for Maine, and Cony star Julie Veilleux is headed to Orono next fall – and how well he knows the state.

“I know the team, I know the players. I’ve followed them for four years,” he said.

Vachon’s teams have been known for their full-court press, transition game, and high-octane offense – a style he said he’d bring to the Maine job.

“We’d have to get some cards with `3′ written on them and distribute them to the Maine fans,” Vachon said, referring to Cony’s traditionally fine 3-point shooting.

“I think I can bring a lot of excitement to the program,” he added. “It would be a different style of play. I don’t think there’s anyone in the state of Maine who isn’t familiar with our style.”

Vachon also said he wouldn’t mind another coaching stint with Veilleux, a 6-foot-1, two-time All-Maine honoree who spent the second half of the season and almost the entire tournament on the bench with a broken bone in her foot.

“I feel like we weren’t able to fulfill our careers together. It would be fun to coach her again and to coach her teammates.”

Giberson heading to UMass

Mellory Giberson’s 200-mile, thrice-weekly commute from Bingham to Auburn has paid off for the Valley High senior.

Giberson, one of the finest gymnasts ever to come out of the state, will join coach Dave Kuzara’s squad at the University of Massachusetts on a full scholarship next fall.

Giberson, who has competed on Valley’s ski team and is the valedictorian this year, also looked at Towson University and the University of Rhode Island.

“I liked the team [at UMass] the best,” she said. “I felt that it would be the best environment for me. I’m hoping to do all-around, but they recruited me for the bars because that’s their weakest event. But I think I’ll get to do more events.”

Giberson is ranked at Level 10 by USA Gymnastics – that’s one step below the elites – and is a two-time nationals qualifier. She was the USAG Level 10 state champion in 1998 and 1999.

Giberson also competed at the high school level in 1998 and 1999, although she sat out this season to focus on USAG competition. She was fourth at New Englands last year, where she set a meet record on the bars, and she won the state high school all-around titles in 1998 and 1999, setting all-around records in the process.

The Minutewomen placed third at the Atlantic 10 conference championships in March. One of UMass’ top gymnasts is Katie Teft, a freshman and the third alternate to the 1996 Olympic team. Giberson said she was excited to meet the star.

“I was kind of in awe of her,” she added. `But she’s really nice.”

McCormick, Naccara honored

University of Maine football player Brent Naccara and women’s basketball player Kristen McCormick have been named National Strength and Conditioning Association All-Americans.

The program recognizes outstanding athletes who have excelled in their strength training and conditioning, and takes into consideration an athlete’s community involvement, academic achievement and leadership qualities.

Naccara finished his senior year as a fullback for the Bears while McCormick was a senior shooting guard.

Both were nominated for the award by UMaine strength and conditioning coach Jim St. Pierre.

Meader, Rivers, Allen add awards

Daren Meader and Jared Rivers of the University of Maine-Farmington and Ken Allen of Colby have been named to the Columbus Multimedia Northeast All-Regional men’s basketball team.

Meader, a senior, was named to the men’s second team, as was Allen, a senior for the White Mules. Rivers, a senior from Skowhegan, was an honorable mention selection.

University of Southern Maine senior Mike Fennessey was the lone Maine player to make the first team.