GORHAM, Maine -- Veteran University of Southern Maine women's track and field head coach George Towle announced today that four members of his team will have the honor of serving as captains for the upcoming 2011-12 indoor season.

            Towle announced that seniors Bethany Dumas (Augusta, Maine/Cony) and Hannah Patterson (Londonderry, N.H.), along with juniors Molly Carl (York, Maine) and Brooke Madden (Dedham, Maine/Brewer), would lead the Huskies this winter.  The Huskies open the season tomorrow (1:00 p.m.) hosting the first of three USM Invitational meets this season at the USM Field House.

            Coming off a stellar fall cross country season that saw her become the second All-American in school history, Carl should make a big impact indoors.  In her first collegiate season on the track last winter, Carl teamed with Madden, Carly Dion and Erin Garvey to win the 4 x 800-meter relay at the ECAC Division III Championships last March, and set the school record (9:27.42) in the event at the NEIcAAA New England Championships in February.  She also earned All-Little East Conference (400) and All-New England Alliance (400, 800) honors, and was twice named the LEC Rookie Track Athlete of the Week.

            A dominating force since she arrived on the USM campus in 2008, Dumas is a three-time LEC champion in the pole vault, and the 2011 champion at 400 meters.  The school record holder in the pole vault (12-1 1/2), Dumas earned All-ECAC, All-NEIcAAA and Division III All-New England honors last winter in the pole vault.  Proving her versatility, Dumas earned All-Little East and All-New England Alliance accolades in the 200, 400, 55-meter hurdles and pole vault.

            In addition to being part of the Huskies' ECAC champion and record-setting 4 x 800 relay quartet, Madden earned All-LEC and All-Alliance honors in the 800 last season.  In her rookie season, Madden received All-Alliance recognition in the 600, 1,000 and 4 x 800 relay, and a Division III All-New England citation in the distance medley relay.

            One of the top throwers in the history of the USM program, Patterson has won two LEC titles in the weight throw, and is the school record holder in the event (50-7 1/4).  Last winter she earned Division III All-New England, All-New England Alliance and All-LEC honors in the weight throw.  Patterson also earned All-Alliance recognition in the shot put.

            After Saturday's season-opening meet, the Huskies will be off until January 7 when they host the second USM Invitational.  They will host the final USM Invitational on January 28.  The USM Field House will also be the venue for the annual Little East Conference and New England Alliance Championships on February 11.

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