LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach
Gary Gardner has announced a recruiting class of more than two dozen.
"This class reflects an effort to solidify our strengths and build greater depth in all areas," said Gardner. "We want to get to the point where we can score points in every event."
The cross country teams, both men and women, had a terrific 2015. The men won the America East Championship and the women turned in their strongest showing ever with a fourth place finish at the championships. Neither team lost much to graduation, but both will show a strong infusion of new blood. As many as 11 of the 16 men recruited are likely to run cross country, four of the 11 women are expected to do so as well.
"We don't want a gap to develop," said Gardner. "We want to continue to build on our strengths and this group may be as good as or better than the group we brought in two years ago."
That group, as sophomores, was at the heart of the successes experienced during last season.
Both the men's and women's track and field teams finished seventh at the nine team America East Indoor Championships and the men finished fourth and the women a strong seventh at the Outdoor Championships. UMass Lowell had people capable of scoring in just about all events, but depth appears to be the needed key as the program looks to take the next step.
Toward that end, eight of the women recruited and seven of the men will help create depth in a variety of events. The women's list of new faces show three sprinters, two jumpers, a middle distance runner, a pole vaulter and a multi-event competitor. The newcomers on the men's side of the ledger include a pair of middle distance runners, two sprinters, two jumpers and a pole vaulter.
Cross Country/Track and Field Athlete Profiles
Men
Christopher Alfond
Hometown/High School: Ashby, Mass./Northern Middlesex Regional High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'10"
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Personal Bests
Two Mile: 9:49
Mile: 4:31
5km XC: 16:11
North Middlesex Regional High School: Captain of Cross Country/Indoor/Outdoor Track… Cross Country/Outdoor Track League All-Star… Worcester T&G Cross Country All-Star… Lowell Sun Cross Country All-Star… Midland Wachusett League B Cross Country Champion… MASC delegate and CDMASC Vice President… Student Council President…
Personal: Son of Matthew and Michele Alfond… Has an older sister… Fan of the Boston Bruins and New England Patriots… Likes to watch NASCAR and ski in his free time… Lists How I Met Your Mother and The Office as two of his favorite TV shows… Aspires to have a career in the automotive industry…
Brian Cherenfant
Hometown/High School: Taunton/Taunton High School
Events: Sprints
Height: 6'00"
Major: Nursing
Personal Bests
200 meters: 22.93
300 meters: 36.16
400 meters: 50.38
Taunton High School: Played football, and ran track and field in high school… During his senior season he was the captain of track and field and football… Hockomock league football all-star… He was a two-time Taunton Gazette All-Scholastic… Track and Field Hockomock League MVP for the spring and an All-Star during the winter and spring seasons… Best and Brightest Award for GPA as-well as athletics… Russel H. Paling award for Male Athlete for the Class of 2016 at Taunton High School… National Honors Society Inductee… Earned "Magna Cum Laude" honors… finished in Top 10% of his graduating class…
Personal: Son of Gaston and Margarita Cherenfant… Has two older siblings, Nancy and Kenny… Lists the LA Lakers, Baltimore Ravens, and Ohio State University as his favorite teams… Kobe Bryant and Cam Newton are mentioned as his favorite athletes… Plans on pursuing a career in nursing, with the ultimate goal of being a nurse practitioner…
Justin Carbone
Hometown/High School: Exeter, N.H./Exeter High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'8"
Major: Plastics Engineering
Personal Bests
Mile: 4:20
Two Mile: 9:20
5km XC: 15:39
Exeter High School: Captain of the cross country and outdoor track teams… Led cross-country to 9th place at the NHIAA Division I Championships… was awarded first team All-State… Finished 3rd at the NH Cross Country Meet of Champions running 15:39 for 5k… Part of indoor track 4x800m relay team which broke school record and qualified for the New England Championships… Indoor State Champion at 3000m and 1500m… Exeter High School Class of 2016 Valedictorian…
Personal: Son of Matthew and Marie Carbone… has one younger brother… He enjoys reading, being outdoors, relaxing with friends and family and candlepin bowling… lists Seinfeld, The Office and Jeopardy as his favorite shows… considers Steve Prefontaine, Conor McGregor and Malcolm Butler to be his favorite sports figures… majoring in Plastics Engineering…
David Cusack
Hometown/High School: Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional High School
Events: Sprints
Height: 5'10"
Major: Exercise Physiology
Personal Bests
200 meters: 22.95
300 meters: 35.99
400 meters: 50.23
600 meters: 1:22.28
Wachusett High School: Captain for track as a senior… holds the Indoor 400, 200, 600, and 4x4 school records… All-American SMR team… school Javelin record… broke the school 300 meter record as a junior… helped break the 4x200 meter record as a sophomore… New Balance Nationals indoor team… Rookie of the Year as a freshman… President French honor society… vice president of ukulele club…
Personal: Son of David and Ann Cusack… Has one older brother… Lists The Office as his favorite TV show… The Patriots and the Red Sox are his favorite sports teams… David Ortiz is his favorite athlete… Wants to open his own physical therapy practice one day…
Ian Dolaher
Hometown/High School: Melrose, Mass./Malden Catholic High School
Events: High Jump
Height: 6'3"
Major: Computer Engineering
Personal Bests
High Jump: 6'6"
Malden Catholic High School: Holds school record in the high jump… MA Division III state champion for high jump during the indoor season… MA Division II state champ for outdoor high jump… Indoor track MVP… Catholic Conference all-star…
Personal: Son of Susan and Mark Dolaher… has a younger brother… Loves the Celtics and the Red Sox… Favorite player is Kevin Garnett… wants to continue with sports after school… Majoring in computer engineering…
Felipe Freitas
Hometown/High School: Billerica, Mass./Billerica Memorial High School
Events: Middle Distance
Height: 6'3"
Major: Criminal Justice
Personal Bests
Billerica Memorial High School: Three time MVC all-star… Indoor and outdoor track captain… Division one state champion in 4x400… 4x400 and 300m school records… Cross country all-star… MVP and Coaches Award…
Personal: Son of Evandro and Dulcilene Freitas… Has two younger brothers… Loves the New England Patriots… Favorite athlete is Tom Brady… Knows multiple languages… Considering enrolling in the police academy after completing his education…
Mario Fuchu
Hometown/High School: Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury Memorial High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'10"
Major: Computer Engineering
Personal Bests
Mile: 4:28
Two Mile: 9:56
5km XC: 16:33
Tewksbury Memorial High School: Indoor MVC Mile Champion… All-State Qualifier… MVP for school in Cross Country and Indoor Track… 2x All-Conference…
Personal: Has two older siblings and one younger sibling… Enjoys watching Bones, House, and Friends… Lists the Miami Heat as his favorite team… Lists LeBron James as his favorite athlete… Has always wanted to run for UMass Lowell… Majoring in computer engineering…
Grant Hauver
Hometown/High School: Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional High School
Events: Distance
Height: 6'4"
Major: Business
Personal Bests
800 meters: 1:55
Mile: 4:14
Two Mile: 9:41
5km XC: 15:42
Wachusett Regional High School: Three time track athlete of the year… Massachusetts and New England Champion in the mile… Captain for cross country and track… School record holder for indoor/outdoor 800… Cross country MVP… Two time Worcester Telegram and Gazette All-Star…
Personal: Son of Scott and Shanna Hauver… Has a sister who is in the Air Force ROTC… Favorite athlete is Meb Keflezighi and his favorite moment was when Keflezighi won the 2014 Boston Marathon… Can juggle and run at the same time… Hopes to run a sport business one day…
Liam Kimball
Hometown/High School: Atkinson, N.H./Timberland Regional High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'9"
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Personal Bests
Mile: 4:12.11
5km XC: 15:37
Timberlane Regional High School: Team Captain… New Hampshire State Champion in the 1,500-meters (indoors) and the Division I Champion in Cross Country… Two time New Hampshire All State… New Hampshire Division 1 All-Star… Honors Society Member… Math honor society member… National Historical Society…
Personal: Son of Mark and Tina Kimball… Has three siblings… Likes to play the guitar… Favorite show is Grey's Anatomy…
Heath King
Hometown/High School: Newton, Mass./Newton North High School
Events: Pole Vault
Height: 5'7"
Major: Exercise Physiology
Personal Bests
Pole Vault: 12'09"
Amesbury High School: Captain for three sports; 2x hockey, soccer and 2x track/field… Hockey; MVP, Cape Ann League All Star… Soccer; Leadership Award… Track/Field… 2x Cape Ann League All Star… 2x Cape Ann League Champion (pole vault)… 2x MA Division IV State Champ (pole vault)… Henry Sheldon Invitational Champion (pole vault)… School record (pole vault, 4x400 team, and decathlon team)… Class VP… National Honors Society Member… Student Council Member…
Personal: Son of Darrin and Heather King… Has two older brothers, one being Garrett King, whom ran Track and Field here at UMass Lowell… Has had his appendix removed… Favorite TV show is Fast and Loud… Lists the Bruins and Patriots as his favorite sports team… Majoring in mechanical engineering, and would love to focus his studies on aeronautics in the future…
Christopher Langer
Hometown/High School: Glen Cove, N.Y./Saint Anthony's High School
Events: Distance
Height: 6'0"
Major: Biology
Personal Bests
Mile: 4:17.08
Two Mile: 9:29
Saint Anthony's High School: 2x Member of the NYS Federation XC Cup Team… Indoor All League 1000m, 1600, 4x800m (League Champs)… Indoor All Conference 1600m… Indoor All American and NYS Record Holder in 4xMile… Outdoor All League in 1600 (League Champ), 3200… Outdoor All Conference 1600… 4x800 (Conference Champs)… Outdoor All American 4xMile…Indoor All League 3200, 1600, 4x800m (League Champs)… Indoor All Conference 3200m… Outdoor All League 3200m, 1600m, 4x800m… Outdoor All Conference in 3200m… National Honors Society Member…
Personal: Son of Kurt and Karen Langer… Only Child… Likes to play ultimate Frisbee, video games, and volunteer for local animal rescue organizations… Favorite show is Everybody Loves Raymond… Loves the Patriots… Favorite athlete is Steve Prefontaine… aspires to be an orthodontist… majoring in biology…
Harrison Maloy
Hometown/High School: Pepperell, Mass./St. John's High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'10"
Major: History
Personal Bests
5km XC: 15:46
St. John's High School: 3x Cross Country Central Mass All Star… Member of 4x800 All State Champions… All State Cross Country Medalist… Central Mass Cross Country District Championship Team…
Personal: Son of James and Christine… Has two older siblings… Enjoys biking and swimming… Loves to watch Sportscenter… Favorite team is the Boston Celtics… Favorite athletes are Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett…
JOSEPH MOLVAR
Hometown/High School: Newburyport, Mass./Newburyport High School
Events: Distance
Height: 6'0"
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Personal Bests
Mile: 4:25
Two Mile: 9:52
5km XC: 15:42
Newburyport High School: Boston Globe All Scholastic XC… Boston Herald All Scholastic HS… State D5 XC Champion… Cape Ann League XC Champion in 5th fastest time in league history… Ran 4:35.79 mile, the 3rd fastest in school history… League XC and Track All Star…
Personal: Son of John and Karen Molvar… has one younger brother… His hobbies include going camping, listening to music and playing World of Tanks… His favorite sports team is the New England Patriots… His favorite sports figure is Buddy Bostick… majoring in Mechanical Engineering…
Dominic Parlato
Hometown/High School: Warwick, R.I./Bishop Hendricken High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'11"
Major: Business
Personal Bests
Two Mile: 9:34
3,000 meters: 8:52
5km XC: 15:36
Bishop Hendricken: 2x All New England for cross country… 3x All state for XC… 3x All city/all class for XC… Team Captain… Warwick XC "athlete of the year"… 2x all division for track… All class/city for track… Four years of high honors…
Personal: Son of Craig and Kim Parlato… Has an older sister… Likes to spend his free time drawing… Favorite athletes include Tom Brady and Steve Prefontaine… Hopes to move somewhere warm eventually…
Tyler Schmidt
Hometown/High School: Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa High School
Events: Middle Distance
Height: 5'8"
Major: Undeclared Liberal Arts
Personal Bests
400 meters: 49.69
600 meters: 1:22.91
800 meters: 1:56
Mile: 4:25
Shenendehowa High School: Indoor Sectional 600m champion… Indoor team sectional champion… outdoor 4x800m sectional champions… Cross Country Team Sectional Champions… Outdoor 4x800m school record holder… All State Cross Country… Suburban Council All Star Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor…
Personal: Son of Rita and Tim Schmidt… has one older brother… goes by the nickname T-Schmidty… enjoys BMX racing… favorite TV show is Big Bang Theory…. favorite sports team is the Pittsburgh Steelers… influenced by sports figure Steve Prefontaine… his greatest sports moment was winning their first state title… he wants to become a meteorologist… can fold his tongue into three… undeclared Liberal Arts…
Lucas Spicer
Hometown/High School: Dracut, Mass./Dracut High School
Events: Jumps
Height: 5'11"
Major: Exercise Physiology
Personal Bests
Long Jump: 21'06.50"
Dracut High School: Cross Country-Varsity… D2 MVC conference team champions… 3x Indoor Track Captain… 2x Indoor Track MVP… 2x MVC All Conference Long Jump Champion… 3x Outdoor Track Captain… 2x Outdoor Track MVP… Division III MA Triple Jump State Relay Champ... MVC All-Star in Long Jump Triple Jump(2x) and twice in the 4x100… MVC All-Star 200m… National Honors Society Inductee… Class Treasurer…
Personal: Son of Bryan and Sandy Spicer… Has two older siblings and one younger… Enjoys watching Johnny Bravo, The Office, and How I Met Your Mother… Lists the Patriots as his favorite athlete… Tim Tebow, Julian Edelman, and Jackie Robinson are his favorite sports figures… Hopes to one day be a personal or athletic trainer… Majoring in exorcise physiology…
Women
Kristin DeVellis
Hometown/High School: Framingham, Mass./Framingham High School
Events: Sprints
Height: 5'6"
Major: Exercise Physiology
Personal Bests
200 meters: 25.94
400 meters: 58.51
Framingham High School: Played soccer and ran track in high school…Was a captain for soccer and the indoor/outdoor teams… Bay State Conference all-star in soccer and Track and Field… High School athlete of the year… Three time Metrowest Daily News All-Star… School record holder in 300 and 400m… National Honors Society Member… Model UN…
Personal: Has two brothers… Mom, Megan, played soccer for UConn… Favorite food is buffalo chicken… Loves Julian Edelman and the New England Patriots… Aspires to be a physician's assistant specializing in orthopedics…
Jordan Dufresne
Hometown/High School: Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry High School
Events: Pole Vault
Height: 5'8"
Major: Liberal Arts
Personal Best
Pole Vault: 10'03"
Londonderry High School: Division I Pole Vault Champion… New Hampshire State Pole Vault Champion… Indoor and Outdoor Track Captain… Division I All-State (outdoor track and field)… New Hampshire Scholar Athlete… Coaches Award (indoor track and field)… William Newcomb Award… Academic Honor Award… Lettered in Academics… New Hampshire Scholar…
Honorable Mention Eagle Tribune Track and Field All Stars… Rising Star Award in outdoor track as a sophomore… New England Competitor Rookie of the Year… Rookie of the Year in outdoor track…
Personal: Daughter of Debbie Morin of Londonderry, N.H. and Shawn Dufresne of Derry, N.H…. Has one younger brother… Nickname is JD… Friends, Boy Meets World, and Gilmore Girls are among favorite TV shows… Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox are listed as the favorite teams… Lists Jen Suhr and Ronda Rousey as her favorite athletes… Aspires to be a physical therapist and sport psychologist…
Sara Fagan
Hometown/High School: Marlborough, Mass./Hudson High School
Events: Sprints
Height: 5'4"
Major: Undeclared
Personal Bests
200 meters: 26.38
Hudson High School: Indoor Track All Star… Outdoor Track Captain… 4x200 Indoor School Record Holder… Unsung Hero Award… school record holder 4x50 indoor… 4x200 school record holder… Member of the Student Council…
Personal: Daughter of Michael and Kathleen Fagan… Has two sisters, one being a twin… Loves watching Netflix… Favorite team is the New England Patriots… Favorite athlete is Allyson Felix…
Breagh Fitzgerald
Hometown/High School: Pembroke, Mass./Pembroke High School
Events: Sprints
Height: 5'8"
Major: Biology
Personal Bests
200 meters: 25.74
400 meters: 59.20
Pembroke High School: Two time League Champion… Two season captain… All state qualifier in 100m and 200m as a senior… Four time Patriot Ledger All-star…Division champion… State relay champion… Student Council Class President… National Honors Society Member…
Personal: Daughter of David and Kelly Fitzgerald… Has three brothers… Says her brother Cavan is her sports influence… Lists the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, and Boston Red Sox as her favorite teams… Friday Night Lights and The Office are her favorite TV shows… Majoring in Biology…
Cristina Galvagno
Hometown/High School: Newton, Mass./Newton High School
Events: Multi event
Height: 5'7"
Major: Exercise Physiology
Personal Bests
200 meters: 26.01
300 meters: 41.58
Long Jump: 17'02.75"
Newton North High School: Captain senior year… 3x Bay state all-star…4x Indoor and outdoor Division I State Relay Champion… 2x Indoor team pentathlon champion… 2x Indoor Division I champion… outdoor all state champion…
Personal: Daughter of Anthony and Maria Galvagno… Has three older siblings… Loves going to the beach in her free time… Grey's anatomy is her favorite show… The Boston Bruins and New England Patriots are listed as her favorite teams… Aspires to be a physical therapist or strength and conditioning coach… Majoring in exercise physiology…
Jillian Lemieux
Hometown/High School: Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'1"
Major: Undeclared
Personal Bests
Two Mile: 11:53
5km XC: 19:25
Haverhill High School: Three season captain… 3x MVC All-Star… 2x All-Conference Honors… National Honors Society… Student Government Member… 4 year Honor Roll Student…
Personal: Daughter to Robert and Lorilynn Lemieux… Has an older sister… Enjoys watching New Girl, Modern Family, and the Bachelor… Favorite team is the Patriots… Favorite athletes are Jenny Simpson and Mary Cain… Enjoys spending time walking with her dog…
Danielle Poublon
Hometown/High School: Nashua, N.H./Bishop Guertin High School
Events: Jumps
Height: 5'10"
Major: Undeclared/Liberal Arts
Personal Bests
High Jump: 5'04"
Lonbg Jump: 16'08"
Bishop Guertin High School: Track and Field Captain during both the indoor and outdoor season.… NH Division I Outdoor High Jump Champion… MVP Award for Indoor Track… All state award… Cross Country Captain… Team Division I State Champion… Four year honor roll…
Personal: Daughter of Michael and Michelle Poublon… Has two younger brothers… Mother ran track for Princeton… Lists The Office and Orange is the New Black as her favorite TV shows… Favorite sports team is the USA Olympic Track and Field team… Says Anna Chicherova is her favorite athlete… Wants to become a high school track and field/cross country coach…
Alexandra Richards
Hometown/High School: Lowell, Mass./Lowell High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'1"
Major: Psychology
Personal Bests
Mile: 5:18
Two Mile: 11:38
5km XC: 18:41
Lowell High School: 3x MVC Champion… 2x Eastern MA Champion… National Honors Society Member… International Language Club…
Personal: Daughter to Ronald and Michelle Richards… older brother Tyler runs track for UML… Cousin Marissa runs track at UML… Loves the show 'Dexter"… Favorite team is the Celtics… Emma Coburn is her favorite sports figure… Wishes to pursue criminal psychology in the FBI… Majoring in psychology… Minoring in criminal justice…
Kaley Richards
Hometown/High School: Lowell, Mass./Lowell High School
Events: Distance
Height: 5'4"
Major: Business Administration
Personal Bests
Mile: 4:56
Two Mile: 10:53
5km XC: 18:16
Lowell High School: 3x Lowell Sun All-Star… School record 2 mile 10:53… All State Champion Cross Country… Boston Globe All-star… All state cross country champion… Indoor track 2 mile… Allstate champion… Indoor 2 mile record 10:59… Indoor mile record 4:56… MVC cross country champions as a freshman… National Honor Society Member…
Personal: Daughter of Mark and Marianne… Has one older sister… Favorite show is Law and Order: SVU… Favorite team is the Red Sox… Molly Huddle and Mary Cain are her sports influences… Hopes to continue running after college…
Sydnee Spruill
Hometown/High School: Mystic, Connecticut/Robert E. Fitch High School
Events: High Jump
Height: 5'11"
Major: Undeclared Liberal Arts
Personal Best
High Jump: 5'04"
Robert E. Fitch High School: Connecticut State Champion in the High Jump… All-State high jump… Best in field indoor track… captain for indoor and outdoor track… MVP indoor track… Broke Indoor High Jump Record at her school… MVP outdoor track… Humanitarian Club… National Honors Society…
Personal: Daughter of Lamar and Holly Spruill… Has one younger sibling…Likes to watch Pretty Little Liars and Criminal Minds… Favorite sports team is the Connecticut Suns… Hopes to open her own bakery one day…
Carissa Stots
Hometown/High School: Newton, Mass./Newton North High School
Events: Middle Distance
Personal Bests
400 meters: 59.34
600 meters: 1:36.57
