UMF Department of Athletics

Coach Roster Schedule Photos Honors Archive

2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 Conference Champions!!

4/13/06

UMF Cross Country to Host Healthy Beaver 5K Road Race

The UMF men’s and women’s cross country teams will hold a 5K race on Saturday, April 29 in Farmington, ME to support their respective teams. The race will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Health and Fitness Center and will be preceded by a one mile “Fun Run” for children. Pre-registration is $4 for UMF students and $6 for non-UMF students, while registration on the 29^th is $6 for UMF students and $8 for non-UMF students. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. Those interested in participating can download the application form and drop off, with payment, to Wendy Browning in the athletics office at Dearborn Gymnasium. APPLICATION

Fitzsimmons' Record-Setting Performance Leads UMF at New England XC Championships

The University of Maine at Farmington men’s cross country team concluded the 2005 season by competing at the New England Division III Championships today, hosted by Springfield College. Led by a 56^th place finish (out of 303 runners) from Joe Fitzsimmons (Lewiston, ME), the men took 27^th out of the 43 teams competing. Fitzsimmons completed the 8k course in 26:51.8, setting a new school record and missed a top 50 finish by a mere seven seconds. His placement was also the highest-ever finish by a UMF runner at the New England meet. Drew Croteau (Durham, CT) was the second Beaver to finish, clocking 28:34.7 as the 141^st runner to cross the finish line.

10/29/05

Fitzsimmons, UMF Men Capture 2005 NAC Cross Country Championship

Once again, the UMF men’s cross country team captured the NAC Cross Country Championship, which was held today in Farmington, ME. UMF took first with 36 points, sparked by the 1-2 finish from Joe Fitzsimmons (29:23.9) and Drew Croteau (30:49.0) over the 8K course. In addition, Tharjiath Rout finished seventh (32:03.1) and Tom Hite (32:27.5) took 10^th to round out the top UMF scorers. Johnson State finished second to UMF in the team standings. Fitzsimmons, after finished second to teammate Ben Fletcher last year, led from start to finish. UMF has now won three-straight conference championships.

10/18/05

Fitzsimmons Earns Second-Straight NAC Runner of the Week Award

Joseph Fitzsimmons, a senior from Lewiston, was named the NAC Runner of the Week for the second-straight week. On Saturday, Oct. 15, he ran a season-best 27:54 to finish 25^th overall (out of 108 runners) at the State of Maine meet, hosted by Colby College.

10/15/05

Men's Cross Country Takes Fifth at Maine State Meet

Once again front runner Joe Fitzsimmons (Lewiston) led the men's cross country team to a strong performance at the State Meet. Fitzsimmons placed 25th of 107 runners with a season personal record (PR) covering the 5 mile course in 27:57. This week the heavy rain held off until after the race but course conditions were still a bit sloppy. Drew Croteau (Durham, CT) was second for the team recording a time of 28:36 in his 35th place finish. Rounding out the top five were Tharjiath Ruot (Portland) 51st in 29:40, Tom Hite (Sidney) 71st in 32:08 and Phil Jackson (Westbrook) 78th in 32:25. Bowdoin College won the meet with 24 points while placing all five scorers in the top ten. Results

10/11/05

Fitzsimmons Earns NAC Weekly Award

Following a successful weekend of action, Joseph Fitzsimmons of Lewiston overcame muddy conditions to post one of his fastest times (28:15) over the 5K course at the James Early Invitational in Westfield, MA and earn NAC Runner of the Week honors. He placed 22nd overall and led UMF to an 11th place finish among the 23 competing schools.

10/10/05

Fitzsimmons places 22nd of 236 at Westfield State

Senior Joe Fitzsimmons, running under the weather in inclement weather, turned in one of his best performances at the 9th annual James Earley Memorial XC invitational. Joe covered the five mile course in 28:15.49 out kicking WPI's Doug Leenhouts by two tenths of a second. Despite a sore throat, muddy course and rain pouring down throughout the race, Fitzsimmons continued to display his consistency during competition. Also cracking the top 100 were senior Drew Croteau 42nd (28:53) and sophomore Tharjiath Rout 75th (29:49). UMF placed 11th of 23 teams in a very competitive race. Results

10/3/05

Men's Cross Country's Fitzsimmons' Run is Second Best

On a perfect sunny day and excellent course conditions Senior Joe Fitzsimmons turned in the second fastest UMF time on his home course. Fitzsimmons' time of 28:53 was only 16 seconds off the record set by Ben Fletcher in 2004. Breaking 29 minutes on the hilly 5.1 mile course is not an easy task as Fletcher and Fitzsimmons are the only two from Farmington to achieve this. Joe placed fourth of 52 runners leading his team to a second place finish out of eight schools. Drew Croteau (30:19) and Tarjiath Ruot (30:22) rounded out the top 10 placing 9th and 10th respectively. Senior Joshua Plourde had another strong performance taking nearly 6 minutes off his 2004 time. Bowdoin College won the meet with 18 points.

9/19/05

Men’s Cross Country Enjoys Fast Times

On a flat and fast course at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus, seven of the eight varsity runners achieved their season personal records (PRs) four of these were lifetime PRs. The Beavers were led by Sr captain Drew Croteau who covered the five mile course in 27:40 (5:32 mile average). Tharjiath (Gatdet) Ruot joined the sub 28 minute club turning in a time of 27:56 for his LPR. Joe Fitzsimmons literally gutted out a time of 28:34 while fighting through a side stitch from the 3 mile mark on through the finish. Rounding out the top five were Phil Jackson 30:33 and Tom Hite 31:10. Jon Ambrose, Ted Rowdybush, and Josh Plourde all had lifetime PRs as well. The conditions for the meet were humid and warm but much nicer than the torrential rain in “04. 255 men finished the race representing over 40 schools. UMF placed 23rd overall.

9/12/05

Men's Cross Country Takes Second at UNE

The UMF men's cross country team started the season off with an impressive performance at the University of New England Invitational on Saturday. The Harriers took second place of ten teams behind Bowdoin College. UMF was led by Joe Fitzsimmons who placed 6th overall with a time of 28:18. Tarjiath Ruot followed closely with a 29:14. Drew Croteau placed 10th with a time of 29:31. Other Beaver racers were Tom Hite (31:25), Phil Jackson (32:50), Jon Ambrose (34:33), Ted Rowdybush (37:45) and Josh Plourde (48:24). The Beavers will travel to UMass Dartmouth for an Invitational Meet next weekend on Saturday September 17th.

9/8/05

Men's Cross Country Season Preview

The men's cross country team will try to continue to dominate in the North Atlantic Conference while seeking their third consecutive Championship. This year may be more challenging as they will lack the depth of past teams. The Harriers lose three of their five all conference runners from 2004 (Ben Fletcher, Nick Scott and Andrew Sweeney). Setting the pace will be Senior Captain Drew Croteau (Durham, CT) and Senior Joe Fitzsimmons (Lewiston, ME). Both return as two time all conference runners. Joining them at the head of the pack will be Sophomore Tharjiath (Gatdet) Ruot (Portland, ME) who placed tenth last year. Also returning will be senior Josh Plourde (Winslow, ME) and Sophomore Phil Jackson (Westbrook, ME). UMF will add three new members this season. Tom Hite (Sidney, ME) has transferred in from rival Johnson State College. Freshmen Jon Ambrose (N. Eastham, MA) and Ted Roudybush (Falls Church, VA) will round out the squad.