Former University of Maine and Old Town High running standout Dereck Treadwell has been named coach of the Husson College men’s and women’s cross country teams, the school announced Monday.

Treadwell was an NCAA All-American at UMaine where he was a four-time New England champion in the 800, the 1997 America East indoor track MVP, a four-time All-IC4A team selection, and a 1996 Olympic Trials finalist in the 1,500.

Husson College athletic director Jonathan “Gabby” Price is pleased with the addition of Treadwell to the Bangor-based school.

“Dereck will create a lot of excitement in our cross country program,” Price said. “He is an accomplished athlete and we will benefit greatly with him coming on board.”

Treadwell is currently a member of the Nike Farm Team, a national running team, and is training for the 2004 Olympic Trials. At Old Town High, he was a five-time All-State selection and was the Maine High School Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 1993.

UM’s Williams on ‘Payton’ list

University of Maine junior tailback Marcus Williams is among 16 players who have been placed on The Sports Network’s “Payton Watch” list to start the 2003 football season.

As such, TSN considers Williams a potential candidate for the Walter Payton Award, which is given annually to the best offensive player in Division I-AA.

Williams, a 5-foot-10, 227-pounder from Amherst, Mass., earned All-Atlantic 10 second-team honors last season. He carried 263 times for a league-high 1,406 yards. The effort ranked him seventh in the nation and was the third-best single-season rushing total in UMaine history.

Williams was a preseason All-America choice of TSN and also was a second-team All-Atlantic 10 preseason selection at running back. His 100.4 yards per game last season ranked second in the conference.

UMaine is hopeful Williams can continue his running success behind a seasoned offensive line anchored by tackles Pete Richardson of Millinocket and Matt Hammond, along with center Mike Leconte of South Portland.

The Bears, ranked No. 14, open the season Saturday at 6 p.m. with a home game against third-ranked Montana.

The only other A-10 player to make the “Payton Watch” list was wide receiver Rich Musinski of William & Mary.

Linebackers Renault Williams of Hofstra and Liam Ezekiel of Northeastern were named on the list of possible candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented to the country’s best I-AA defensive performer.

Morgan named Colby coach

Colby College has named Michael Morgan as its new men’s and women’s tennis coach. Morgan has been the men’s tennis coach at Claremont McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps Colleges in California since 2000 and was named 2003 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Western Region Coach of the Year.

“Colby is extremely fortunate to have Mike Morgan join the department,” Colby athletic director Marcella Zalot said. “He achieved wonderful success in a small, private liberal arts college environment at Claremont, an academic environment similar to Colby’s. I am excited he will be leading our men’s and women’s tennis programs.”

Morgan said he can see tremendous potential in the Colby program.

“You have probably the most competitive Division III conference in the country for tennis, a beautiful campus and an established academic reputation,” he said.

Morgan is a 1996 graduate of St. Mary’s (Calif.) College where he earned an athletic scholarship by his sophomore year while playing singles and doubles.

Cole named Saint Michael’s SID

Blue Hill native Seth Cole has been named the sports information director at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt., where he will manage the sports and information department for the Purple Knights’ 21 NCAA Division II varsity sports.

“We are thrilled to have Seth returning to our staff in this capacity,” Saint Michael’s athletic director Geri Knortz said. “His impressive professional experience with the ECAC and USA Hockey – combined with those he had while here as a student-athlete [baseball] and student assistant in the Sports Information Office – will benefit our college and the student-athletes immensely.”

Cole, a 2001 Saint Michael’s graduate, has been working as the coordinator for media and public relations for USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Kasey Keenan gains post at UNE

Presque Isle native Kasey Keenan has been hired as the coordinator of recreational sports at the University of New England in Biddeford.

Keenan replaces Matt Chards, who resigned in June to become the athletic director at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

Keenan is a 2002 graduate of UNE, where he majored in sports management. He was a four-year starter for the basketball team and also lettered in golf and soccer.

Keenan will oversee UNE’s intramural and recreational sports program while assisting in game management for varsity athletic events. He also will continue as an assistant basketball coach.