Unity College Student Team Sleds to 2^nd Place Finish in U.S. National Toboggan Championships

Unity, Maine – February, 2007 –  The toboggan team called Team Dude Sled, a student team from Unity College, finished in 2nd place among 140 teams competing in the 4 person sled division at the U.S. National Toboggan Championships, held at the Camden Snow Bowl in Camden, Maine, on February 3^rd and 4^th. 

Team Dude Sled is (left to right facing), Brian O’Donnell ’08, a Conservation Law Enforcement major from Stoneham, Massachusetts; Team Captain Greg Hodsdon ’07, a Forestry major from Cumberland Foreside, Maine; Christopher Ames ’08 Forestry major, Bucksport, Maine; Brian Williams ’09, Landscape Horticulture major, Chelmsford, Massachusetts.  

     “It was the best weekend of my life,” said Brian Williams ’09, a Chelmsford, Massachusetts native.  “I can’t wait for next year.”

     Team Dude Sled joined forces in the competition with Team Green Monster, the faculty and staff team from Unity College.  Team Green Monster finished 4^th in the four person sled category

     Though Team Dude Sled Captain Greg Hodsdon ’07, a Forestry major from Cumberland Foreside, Maine, will be graduating, the remaining three students in Team Dude Sled vow to continue their quest for a national championship.

    “To do this well and finish second in the very first year a team competes in the U.S. National Toboggan Championships is amazing,” said Hodsdon.  He adds that as he put the team together, his primary goal was simply to do better overall than Team Green Monster, the faculty and staff team that finished 13^th overall last year and 4^th this year.

     “We will find a replacement for Greg (Hodsdon) and compete next year,” said Brian O’Donnell ’08, a Conservation Law Enforcement major from Stoneham, Massachusetts.  "Our goals were to be competitive and have fun.  We achieved both of these goals as a team."    

     Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources.  Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.