The University of Maine’s football program has received commitments from four players, including a pair of in-state standouts.

Winslow High School’s Ben McPherson, a linebacker-fullback, and Brunswick High defensive back-running back Devin Shepard are joined by Clairton, Pa. fullback Teron Allen and Lancaster, N.Y. tight end Mike Moran in this current group of incoming players.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound McPherson was an All-Pine Tree Conference first team selection at linebacker, registering 103 tackles for the Black Raiders.

The 6-foot, 195-pound Shepard was involved in 125 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks for the Dragons and he also rushed for 717 yards.

The 5-11, 230-pound Allen led Clairton High School to a 7-2 campaign and a berth in the Class A semifinals and the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Moran was a two-time all-league choice. He had 50 career receptions for 750 yards and five TDs.

“We are excited that these young men have decided to play at the University of Maine,” said Maine head coach Jack Cosgrove in a press release. “Recruiting never ends, and we are fortunate to add four student-athletes who can help our program grow in the classroom and on the field.”

Maine went 7-5 last fall and had its string of consecutive NCAA I-AA playoff appearances snapped at two.

Maine went a combined 20-6 in its previous two seasons including an NCAA playoff win each year.

Pelletier eyeing Junior Nationals

University of Maine freshman Hana Pelletier of Belgrade, who won the 800 meters at the America East championships with a time of 2:09.91, has qualified to in the United States Junior National track and field championships at Texas A & M University in College Station, Tex. on June 25-26.

The Junior Nationals are for athletes under 20 years old.

Pelletier, who graduated from Messalonskee High School in Oakland, finished 13th in the NCAA East Regionals in Gainesville, Fla. with a time of 2:10.11. That was second-best among freshmen.

Pelletier will run in the trials on June 25 and the top 10 will vie in the finals the next day. The top two will qualify for the U.S. Junior National team that will compete in the World Junior Championships in Italy on July 12-18.

Maine coach Mark Lech has been training Pelletier and the regimen includes a USOC physiologists method that will help prepare her for the hot and humid conditions in Texas.

Doyle, Stevens, White honored

Members of the University of Maine’s men’s and women’s hockey teams have earned academic awards.

Black Bear goalie Frank Doyle was named to the 2003-2004 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors Association) Academic All-America At-Large first team thanks to his cumulative 3.85 grade-point average in business administration.

To qualify, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore, a starter or significant reserve on his team and compile a minimum 3.2 GPA.

Maine was the only Hockey East or America East school to have a student-athlete named to the men’s Academic All-America At-Large team this year.

Former Bear hockey player Martin Kariya received the same honor in 2003.

On the ice, Doyle also shone with a 19-4 record representing the nation’s top winning percentage (.826), a 1.81 goals-against average which tied him for third; five shutouts which tied him for fifth and a .923 save percentage.

The Black Bear women’s hockey team placed 10 on the Hockey East All-Academic team with defenseman Emily Stevens and winger Cheryl White being chosen to the Academic All-Star team which honors the top GPAs by position.

The other Maine players chosen were Sonia Corriveau, Karen Droog, Morgan Janusc, Brigitte Laflamme, Laura Maddin, Lara Smart, Andrea Steranko and Ksena Tatomir.

Droog and Janusc are two-time honorees.

To qualify, an individual must receive a GPA of 3.0 in each of the two academic periods during which they were competing.