ORONO, Maine—The UMaine men's and women's indoor track and field teams are ready to open the 2018-19 season on Saturday at 11 a.m. when they take on the University of New Hampshire.
 
The opening meet on Dec. 1 is the first of three times this season the indoor team will face off against the Wildcats. The Black Bears will compete against them again on Dec. 8 in a meet at Dartmouth, where they will also race Vermont. The final time the indoor team will battle UNH in Durham on Dec. 26.
 
Highlights of the indoor schedule includes a pair of meets at Boston University on Nov. 25 and 26 at the Terrier Classic, and again on Feb. 8-9 for the Valentine's Invitational.
 
The America East Championships, held in Boston, will be on Feb. 22-24, with the NCAA Tournament races on March 8-9 at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
 
While the team lost key contributors to graduation, including Racheal Bergeron who set new program records in hammer throw, the squad returns Alice Barnsdale at hammer throw, who represented Maine at the NCAA East Preliminary in the spring.
 
A pair of returners for the men include Andrew Smith, who last season ran for a personal best in the 55m dash (6.93), at the New Hampshire vs Maine vs Vermont vs Dartmouth meet, as well as a personal best in the 60m dash (7.29), placing 3rd at the Bates Invitational. He's joined by his brother Dylan, who had a seasonal best in Long Jump (6.19m), placing 5th in last season's meet against UNH.
 
To follow along with all of the team's accomplishments, follow along on goblackbears.com and on social media @BlackBearNation.
 
-UMaine-