WATERVILLE, Maine – After a historic season that saw the University of Maine at Farmington men's track and field team earn its first North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship in program history, senior Justin Castaldo(Scarborough, Maine) was named Track Athlete of the Year, Owen Booker (Lisbon, Maine) was named Rookie of the Year, and the Beavers coaching staff was honored as the Coaching Staff of the Year.
Castaldo capped off his exceptional career with yet another major award. One of the most accomplished athletes to ever compete for the Beavers, Castaldo became the first in program history to be named NAC Track Athlete of the Year. He was instrumental in the Beavers' championship run, placing first and earning First Team All-Conference honors in both the 1,500 meters and 800 meters. He was also a member of the 4x400-meter relay team, which earned First Team All-Conference honors.
Additionally, Castaldo qualified for the New England Championship in the 10,000 meters and placed fourth overall in the event, earning All-Region honors and setting a program record with a time of 32:15.69. Over the course of his career, Castaldo will graduate holding 12 UMF track and field records across indoor and outdoor seasons. He was also a standout cross country runner, earning NAC Cross Country Runner of the Year honors each of the last two seasons and helping lead Farmington to two NAC Cross Country titles.
NAC Championship Performances:
Booker made an immediate impact in sprints, jumps, and javelin during his debut season. At the 2025 NAC Championship meet held at Colby College, Booker scored in all five of his individual events, placing second in the pole vault, fifth in both the 110-meter hurdles and long jump, and sixth in the high jump and triple jump. He contributed 14 individual points to help secure the Beavers' team title. He was named a NAC Second Team All-Conference performer in the pole vault. Booker was also part of the 4x400-meter relay team that earned First Team All-Conference honors with a time of 3:41.46, narrowly edging out Thomas College.
NAC Championship Performances:
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High Jump: 1.80 meters
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Long Jump: 6.30 meters
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Triple Jump: 11.95 meters
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110-Meter Hurdles: 20.03 seconds
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Pole Vault: 3.20 meters
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4x400 Meter Relay: Second Leg
UMF Coaching Staff – Coaching Staff of the Year
Led by Head Coach Sean Cabaniss, with assistants Robbie Hollis (distance) and Ben Toribio (throws), the UMF coaching staff was named the 2025 NAC Coaching Staff of the Year for both the men's and women's programs. The staff guided the men's team to a dominant performance at the NAC Championship Meet.
The Beavers were projected by the league's coaches to finish first in the pre-championship poll—and they delivered. UMF finished 78 points ahead of second-place Thomas College, securing the program's first NAC Championship title.
Their leadership, athlete development, and strategic preparation created a championship-caliber culture and set the foundation for one of the most successful seasons in UMF track & field history.
All-Sportsmanship Team
All-Conference First Team Honorees (9)
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800-Meter Run: Justin Castaldo (Sr.) – 1:58.17
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1500-Meter Run: Justin Castaldo (Sr.) – 4:10.21
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5000-Meter Run: Andrew LaFlamme (So.) – 16:16.15
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110-Meter Hurdles: Nate Trussell (So.) – 16.11
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3000-Meter Steeplechase: Andrew LaFlamme (So.) – 10:58.45
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4x100-Meter Relay: UMaine-Farmington – 44.41
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4x400-Meter Relay: UMaine-Farmington – 3:41.46
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Pole Vault: Seamus Reeve (Sr.) – 3.33m
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Shot Put: Alex Crews (So.) – 13.68m
All-Conference Second Team Honorees (8)
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100-Meter Dash: Nate Trussell (So.) – 11.75
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1500-Meter Run: Ethan Linscott (So.) – 4:12.21
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400-Meter Hurdles: Nate Trussell (So.) – 1:02.60
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3000-Meter Steeplechase: Connor Freeman (Sr.) – 11:03.22
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High Jump: Ben Vachon (Sr.) – 1.90m
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Pole Vault: Owen Booker (Fr.) – 3.20m
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Long Jump: Ben Vachon (Sr.) – 6.46m
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Hammer Throw: Alex Crews (So.) – 40.85m
