Women's Indoor Track 12/7/2021 4:00:00 PM

Close, Fornasier, and Slovenski named Women’s Indoor Track and Field Captains

GORHAM, Maine-- Seniors Catherine Close (Orleans, V.T./Lake Region Union) and Sophia Slovenski (Cape Neddick, Maine/Phillips Academy) and junior Madison Fornasier (South Burlington, V.T./South Burlington) have been named captains of the 2021-2022 University of Southern Maine women's indoor track and field team prior to the start of the season.

Head coach Rob Whitten made the announcement as the team prepares for its opening competition, hosting the USM Open on December 11. The twenty-time and reigning indoor conference champions Huskies will look to continue their success this season.

"These three student-athletes are the epitome of what we look for as both students and athletes," said Whitten. "It was clear they were stepping up into leadership roles on the team last year and have only continued to mature into those roles."

Close, a nursing major, is a veteran thrower for the Huskies, earning Little East Conference Field Athlete of the Week during the 2021 outdoor season. At the outdoor conference championships, Close finished fourth in the discus and fifth in the javelin. Close also excels in the classroom, her most recent academic honor coming in the spring of 2021 as she was named to the Little East Conference spring all-academic team.

A decorated sprinter, Fornasier is also a nursing major and standout student. Named to the spring 2020 Little East Conference all-academic team, Fornasier is also involved in the Huskies' Student-Athlete Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (SADIE) committee, currently serving as the group's secretary. On the track, Fornasier twice earned Little East Conference weekly honors during the Huskies' most recent full winter season in 2019-2020. Last spring, Fornasier finished second in the 100m dash and third in the 200m dash to help the Huskies win the 2021 Little East Conference outdoor track and field championship.

The 2021 women's NCAA Division III javelin national champion, Slovenski has been dominant for the Huskies in both the javelin and pole vault. During the 2019-2020 indoor season, Slovenski earned USTFCCCA Division III All-American status in the pole vault and qualified for the NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships. Following her national championship in, the exercise science major was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America® Division III Track and Field and Cross Country first team. Slovenski is also involved with SADIE and is the secretary for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

"They are all dedicated, motivated and hard-working student athletes and yet are extremely approachable and outgoing and have really set the tone for our team dynamics," Whitten added. "As we get into competition season I'm grateful to have such a strong group to help lead a young squad to be the championship contenders we want to be."

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