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Track and Field Newcomers Following in Footsteps of Parents
Aug. 8, 2008
ORONO, Maine -- This year, the University of Maine women's track team will have some familiar last names on it. Three recruits, Kourtney Bonsey (Falmouth, Maine), Hillary Maxim (Old Town, Maine) and Megan Nealey (Belfast, Maine), have had parents that competed for the University of Maine track team in the past. Bonsey, a top Maine high school class B two-miler, is following in the footsteps of her father, Cameron. He ran from 1978-82 and was a middle distance runner, placing second at the New England Championships in the 800 meter run one year. "It was a different deal back then. My kids have much more team spirit, they understand the team concept much better...," said Bonsey. "She knows Megan Nealey and Hillary Maxim...they each have a great famiily history of running...it's a great carrying on of tradition." Joann (Choiniere) Nealey, a former cross country and long distance track runner for the Black Bears, still holds the indoor school-record in the two mile run. Her husband, Dale, was a pole vaulter for the Black Bears. Her daughter, Megan, is the Maine class B outdoor state champion in the 800 meter run. "We're very excited Megan is going to UMaine," said the former Joann Choiniere. "I had a great experience (former head coach, and now assistant) Jim Ballinger was a great coach. " "Megan wasn't sure where to go, but when she went for her visit, the girls (on the Maine track team) were very nice and she leaned toward the nursing program at Maine." The three athletes all know each other from cross country and track meets. The parents know each other from their time at Maine and from beiing involved in the sport for some time. "We are excited to be able to go and watch her...it is exciting that our daughters will run together," said Nealey. Hillary Maxim, one of the top distance runners in all of Maine, has two parents who were Black Bears. Her mother, Ann Maxim, formerly Ann England, ran for Maine from 1982-85, and set several Maine records in the distance events. Hillary's father, Dana Maxim, was a distance runner as well.
"I'm pleased she'll be a Black Bear," said the former Maine cross country coach Ann Maxim. "It was her decision to go here, but I'm glad she chose this." "What felt comfortable to her was who else was coming to Maine. You socialize with the other girls (at track meets) and get to know them, and that makes it comfortable (going to Maine with the other girls)." "She did the research herself, and made the decision about two days after her last visit," said Dana Maxim, who "They made it a lot of fun for me, and it will be fun with this group as well," said assistant coach Jim Ballinger. Ballinger used to be the head track and cross country coach for Maine. "It's great to see them coming back." |
