GORHAM, Maine – On Saturday, May 1, the University of Southern Maine Huskies women's track and field team will travel to North Dartmouth, Mass. for the Little East Conference outdoor track and field championship. 

The History: The Huskies picked up 18 consecutive conference championships from 2000 to 2017, before placing third in 2018 and fourth in 2019. Rhode Island College won the team title both years. Last season, the Huskies won the 2020 indoor championship and were a favorite to take home the outdoor title, which was eventually canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the 2020 indoor championship, Southern Maine had four individual event winners, two of whom return for the Huskies this year. Sophia Slovenski (Cape Neddick, Maine/Phillips Academy) won the pole vault, while Adela Kalilwa (Lewiston, Maine/Lewiston) secured the triple jump title. 

The Team: In the first four meets of the season, seven Huskies have picked up multiple event wins. Sophomore Allie Gross (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) has been dominant for the Huskies, earning victories throughout the spring in the high jump, javelin, and as a member of the 4x100 relay team. 

Also contributing to the Huskies continued success in field events are senior Samantha Comeau (Maple Grove, Minn./Senior) and Slovenski. Comeau has claimed first place finishes in the hammer throw, shot put, and javelin, while Slovenksi currently ranks sixth in New England in the pole vault and has seen individual victory in the javelin this season as well. 

Freshman Catriona Gould (Freeport, Maine/Freeport), sophomore Maddie Fornasier (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington), and graduate student Lucy Knowlton (Portland, Maine/Leavitt/Bowdoin) have earned many wins for the Huskies on the track. 

Gould has seen success as a member of the 4x100 relay and in the 100-meter dash, while Knowlton has been dominated in the 5000-meter run. Also a member of the 4x100 relay, Fornasier won the 200-meter dash in both meets at St. Joseph's College.

The Matchup: Leading up to the meet, the Huskies have competed against four other LEC schools; Eastern Connecticut, Keene State, Plymouth State, and Rhode Island College. Southern Maine beat Keene State, Plymouth State, and Rhode Island College, but suffered a narrow nine point loss to Eastern Connecticut. Competition between the Huskies and the Warriors will be tight this weekend as both teams vie for the first outdoor championship handed out in two years.