Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY

Fontaine to run for Miami

By Bill Stewart bstewart@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Tired of the snow, sick of the cold, Luke Fontaine opted for some Florida heat when deciding on his college plans.

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Cony High School cross country and track and field athlete Luke Fontaine recently made a verbal commitment to run for the University of Miami.

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The Cony senior gave a verbal commitment to run for the University of Miami this fall, ending a long and extensive process.

Fontaine, the reigning Class A state champ in the 1,600-meter run, is one of the top distance runners in the state.

"This is where I wanted to go," Fontaine said. "It was my best offer, too. But the other big plus is that I wanted to get out of the cold. The snow is ridiculous up here. I can't stand running in the cold."

Fontaine drew interest from schools across the country, including the University of Portland (Ore.), Oklahoma, Iowa, Wisconsin, East Carolina and Syracuse.

However, Fontaine said he was ready to commit to Miami after an official visit in December. The Hurricanes finished ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference championships this spring.

"I was ready to commit but they had scholarships and different things they had to figure out," said Fontaine, who owns the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A record in the 1,600 with a time of 4 minutes, 21.28 seconds. "I knew I could fit in there. Their coach (Damon Griffiths) said I would make varsity for cross country and the track teams."

Fontaine will not receive an athletic scholarship, at least not initially. Instead, he will receive an athletic financial aid grant.

As a result, Fontaine didn't have to sign a letter of intent.

"They gave me enough to get there," he said. "They only had one scholarship for distance runners. Most of the scholarships go to the sprinters. There should be a few scholarships opening up at some point, though."

Fontaine added that the absence of scholarships will help temper expectations while transitioning to a Division I school.

"It's a plus because there will be no pressure," he said. "There really is nothing to hold back. I know I can do well there."

Added Taylor Harmon, Cony's indoor track and field coach who works a lot with Fontaine: "They are not looking at him to win any national titles right off. A lot of these long distance runners, they take them on and work on them."

Fontaine said he may try to compete in the 3,000 at Miami, as well as in the steeplechase.

"I think that could go really well," he said.

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com