As
part of the interactive series, Campus Connection, America East continues to
travel across the conference featuring a team from each of our nine
institutions. As part of the show, we also have the chance to learn some of the
basics of the sports from our student-athletes.
In this edition of Campus Connection, America East journeys to UNH, home of the
Wildcats.
We
caught up with the UNH men's and women's track and field team to talk about the
program's development and the immediate success of the spring season. With a
strong balance of veteran leadership and a fresh crop of young talent, the
Wildcats have proved to be a contender for the America East Championship.
Jim
Boulanger, a former Wildcat himself, is in his 28th season as coordinator of
the men and women's cross country and track and field program. He's watched the
program evolve from having a cinder block outdoor track to now having two
excellent training facilities. One thing that has remained constant over his
tenure is the participation of talented, committed and hard-working athletes
who have embraced the term "student-athlete" to the fullest.
The
program prides itself on creating a strong academic and athletic program. We
spoke with several student-athletes who expressed their appreciation for the
coaching staff and their experiences at UNH.
This
year's veteran group has built a resume of success over the past four years,
competing at regional and national levels and finishing last spring with the
New England Championship. Three distance runners, Sydney Fitzpatrick, Keely
Maguire and Allison Letourneau, have thrived at UNH and contribute their
successes to each other, their coaches and the team dynamic. Recently,
Fitzpatrick and Maguire finished first and third, respectively, in the
10,000-meter run at the NC State Raleigh Relays. Letourneau has set school
records in the 1,000-meter, 5,000-meter and one mile runs this year.
On
the men's side, senior Brice Paey who captured the 2012 indoor track and field
title in the shot put hopes to continue his throwing career after UNH. He
recognizes that all of his teammates' strengths complement one another and as
much as track and field is considered an "individual" sport, it takes the
effort of everyone to help a team earn points.
The
Wildcats are highly anticipating the 2012 America East Outdoor Track and Field Championship
on May 5-6 in Orono, Maine and believe that if everyone continues to train and
compete at their highest level, they will pull out an impressive performance.
With only a few weeks until the 2012 America East Outdoor Track and Field
Championship check out this feature to watch us put our track and field skills
to the test.