BY BILL STEWART

Staff Writer

Former Cony standout southpaw Eric Lee will pitch for Thomas College next season, saying he wanted a chance to play somewhere as a freshman.

"It hasn't hit me yet," Lee said. "It still feels like I'm going back to high school."

Lee will become the first player under three-year Cony coach Ray Vallee to compete for a college program.

"He'll shine at Thomas," Vallee said. "He's a student of the game and has always been that way. He's a kid who thrives in big moments."

None were bigger than this season's Class A state championship game, in which Lee pitched a complete game in a 2-1 loss to three-time defending champ Deering. He struck out four and allowed just three hits.

At Thomas, Lee said he will be given the opportunity to be a part of the rotation.

"They said they will look at me as a starter until I prove I can't be a starter," Lee said. "I was looking for a year of experience and I wanted to go to a place where I could play as a freshman. Thomas is a good opportunity."

• • •

Evan Vincent got the time he wanted. The place? Well, that was a pleasant surprise.

The Maranacook Community High School junior finished seventh in the 10,000-meter racewalk at the Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., late last month.

Vincent, who completed the race in 53 minutes, 14.11 seconds, earned All-American status by finishing in the top eight. He was also named an alternate on the USA Track and Field's junior national team.

"I was so excited," Vincent said. I had the time I wanted to go for, but I didn't expect to finish where I did."

Vincent, 17, started the race a bit faster than he had liked, then needed a strong finish to secure seventh place.

"I started a little too fast because I was really nervous," he said. "I ended up waiting until the very end to speed up a lot and to pass one other guy."

Vincent qualified for the national championships with some strong performances last winter in some indoor events in Massachusetts.

• • •

Matt DelGiudice and Shawn Lee will skate for the Laconia Leafs of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League this fall. The two will be roommates in Laconia, N.H., as well.

"We're looking forward to it," said DelGiudice, a former Messalonskee High School standout who played for Bridgton Academy last season. "I can't wait to get going."

Added Lee, who helped Waterville Senior High School win the Class A state championship last winter: "I just want to play hockey for another year. Hopefully, I can play somewhere in college. That's the ultimate goal."

The same is true for DelGiudice, who scored 10 goals and 20 assists in 35 games with Bridgton last season. DelGiudice was accepted into the University of New England, but deferred until 2010. He also has drawn interest from Salve Regina University, a Division III school in Newport, R.I., as well as Southern New Hampshire.

"If everything goes as planned, I'll play one year for the Leafs and go to the school of my choice the next fall," DelGiudice said.

DelGiudice and Lee, who scored 30 points for the Purple Panthers last season, already signed one-year contracts with the Leafs.

• • •

Husson University promoted defensive coordinator Niles Nelson to head football coach this week. Nelson replaces Gabby Price, who resigned in early June.

Nelson, a former athletic director at Kennebunk High School, takes over a team that finished 7-3 last season.

"I think he will step in and do a good job," said Husson sophomore Jack Hersom, a former Lawrence star who will compete for the quarterback job this summer.

Still, Hersom acknowledges he had little contact with Nelson last season. He also wonders how the offense will be run and if it will be changed.

"It's definitely something I think about," said Hersom, who completed two of his eight passes last season. "But all we can do is wait and see what happens. I haven't heard anything yet."

The Eagles open the season Sept. 12 at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass.

• • •

Former Winslow three-sport standout athlete Ben Grant is transferring from Winslow to Thomas College.

Grant played on the Husson football team last season, catching 10 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown.

However, he said the chance to play hockey, work and study criminal justice factored into the decision. He said the recent and abrupt resignation of Husson football coach Price did not play a role in his decision.

"I love hockey," Grant said, "and that was a big part of the decision."

Thomas has a club hockey team.

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com