Seniors Jon Fulford (Kennebunk) and Corey Gobbi (Haverhill, Mass.) and juniors Tim Even (Stoneham) and John Vallo (Beacon, NY) of the men’s cross country team have been selected as the 2010 team captains. Southern Maine head coach Scott Hutchinson, in his sixth season, made the announcement as the Huskies prepared for their upcoming season.
Even, Fulford, Gobbi and Vallo will lead a deep and veteran laden squad that captured both the Little East Conference and New England Alliance championship in 2009. The Huskies’ 2009 squad also earned their fourth consecutive top ten finish at the NCAA Division III New England Regional.
“We have a large squad comprised of talented, hard-working and dedicated runners,” said Hutchinson. “Jon, Corey, Tim and John know the level of commitment necessary to be successful and are capable of being tremendous leaders.”
Competing in just a handful of meets last season, Gobbi will be counted upon for his vital leadership this season. Also a member of the USM indoor and outdoor track and field teams, Gobbi has been a part of several school record relay teams, including the Huskies’ distance medley relay team.
Fulford, one the Huskies top runners last season, had a strong showing at the 2009 Little East Conference championship, placing 38th overall with a time of 28:54. He had a season best time of 28:09 at the Keene State College Invitational.
Even was essential to the Huskies championship achievements, competing in all of USM’s meets as one of the top seven runners. Even placed 13th overall at the 2009 Little East Conference championship with a time of 27:35 and had a top five finish at the UNE Invitational with a time of 27:00.
Vallo earned All-Little East Conference and All-New England Alliance honors last season. Vallo placed seventh at both the Little East Conference and New England Alliance championship with a time of 26:55. Vallo had four top 10 finishes for the Huskies, including a third place finish at the 2009 University of New England Invitational.
The Huskies open their season on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 11:30 a.m. at the University of New England Invitational in Biddeford. Southern Maine is scheduled to compete in six invitational meets before defending its 2009 championship at the New England Alliance and Little East Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 11 a.m.