UMPI sports wrap-up

    The women’s cross country team from the University of Maine at Presque Isle captured the Sunrise Conference championship Saturday at the meet held in tough weather conditions at SUNY-Canton in upstate New York.
    UMPI bested Paul Smith’s College, 22-33, with Vermont Tech participating without a full team.     Hannah Smith of the Lady Owls was second overall with a time of 24 minutes, 11.9 seconds on the five-kilometer course. She was just 7.8 seconds behind the individual champion, Vermont Tech’s Sarah Flint.
    In the men’s event, Paul Smith’s College won with 40 points, followed by SUNY-Canton with 50 and UMPI with 55. Vermont Tech took fourth with 68 points.
    Emerson Wright fashioned the Owls best finish of the day. He was seventh in 31:12.6 on the 8K course. Teammate Kurt Whisler  was 10th in 32:53.4. Caribou’s Chris Rines (11th, 33:03.8) and Brad Burlock (12th, 33:06.8) finished in consecutive order, while Kyle Batchelder was 15th and rounded out the scoring.
    The university’s cross country teams will now prepare for their trip to Nashville, Tenn. for the national qualifier to be held Nov. 8 against the best runners from the Sunrise and TranSouth conferences. This trip will be a new experience for the athletes, according to coach Chris Smith, and all are excited for the new upcoming challenge.
    The UMPI women blanked Vermont Tech Saturday, 3-0, before shutting out College of St. Joseph’s Sunday, 6-0.            Jessica Kinney of Caribou scored a goal against Vermont Tech. Against College of St. Joe’s, Makayla Gahagan of Caribou netted one of the goals. Billie Martin of Caribou and Carolynn Tuck shared goalkeeping duties in Saturday’s match, while Martin handled the chores by herself Sunday.
    UMPI improved to 10-5-2 overall with the two victories.
    Fort Fairfield’s Brandon LeVasseur had a goal in the men’s 6-1 win over College of St. Joe’s.