Mandi Allen left Maine three years ago looking for a new start.

She appears to have found what she was looking for at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.

Allen, a senior from Blue Hill, is headed down the home stretch of her career as a captain for coach Lauren Lavigne.

The Panthers are 10-10 overall and compete in the tough Little East Conference, home to national power the University of Southern Maine. Allen has been a key contributor to her team again this season.

Coming out of GSA, Allen spent one year at Husson College in Bangor. However, she elected to transfer to Plymouth State after her freshman year and has been successful there.

Allen leads a balanced Plymouth State ballclub, averaging 10.3 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard has played 28 minutes per contest and is averaging 5.2 rebounds.

Allen also ranks second on the team in assists (33) and steals (29).

Almy swimming at Wooster

Sam Almy of Charleston continues to be a contributor for the men’s swim team at The College of Wooster in Ohio.

The senior, a graduate of Foxcroft Academy, recently swam the backstroke leg on the Scots’ victorious 200 medley relay unit in a meet against Grove City College.

Almy also earned a recent victory in the 200 freestyle, clocking a 1:57.94 against Ohio Wesleyan.

Bangor’s Strout Stonehill captain

Kristan Strout of Bangor is in the midst of her second season as a captain of the women’s basketball team at Stonehill College (Mass.).

Strout, a senior guard, has played sparingly for the Chieftains, but has been a strong leader in helping Stonehill post a 14-5 record in the Northeast 10 Conference.

Strout earned a spot as a walk-on at Stonehill in 2000, but missed most of that season with an injury. The Chieftains are trying to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament after reaching the Sweet 16 last season.

Strout is joined on the team by sophomore Bethany Roderigue of Winslow, who also has been a backup at the guard spot.

Colby skier off to strong start

Abbi Lathrop of Colby College in Waterville recently won her second straight giant slalom competition of the season.

The sophomore from North Conway, N.H., has won GS races in the St. Lawrence University Ski Carnival at Lake Placid, N.Y., and in the Colby College Carnival a week earlier at Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley.