Two area athletes making a mark at CMCC

PHOTO: Wyatt Hathaway, left, and Niah Buiniskas, right, are part of CMCC’s basketball and hockey teams’ winning seasons as the winter break nears its end. (CMCC photos)

AUBURN – Central Maine Community College’s hockey and basketball teams have started the season behind the focused efforts of two local athletes.
The Mustang hockey team hit the winter break with a 10-1 record, after finishing last season at 5-8-1. Noah Buiniskas, of Lisbon, in his third season as a Mustang, is one of the returning players leading the charge.
On the hardwood, the basketball team is 9-3 going into the winter break and leas the Yankee Conference (5-1). One of the factors to this year’s success so far is Wyatt Hathaway, who was Leavitt Regional High School’s all-time high scorer and came to CMCC this school year, transferring from St. Joseph’s.
Both athletes said the academic experience at CMCC is a factor in their athletic success.
Buiniskas said CMCC is friendly, and the professors “make you feel like you matter, and I think that is huge.” On the athletic side, Buiniskas said that Athletic Director Dave Gonyea wants the Mustangs to feel like the program is Division 1. Buiniskas, an associate captain on the fourth line, said from the facilities, to dedication, the players do.
The hockey team moved into full member status in the New England Collegiate Hockey Association, which means they can participate in playoffs.
“Noah is a player who does the little things,” said Coach Jordy Knoren. “He understands his role and executes it with high level. He understands the game of hockey and leads by example with bringing a team first mentality to the rink every day.”
Buiniskas said his favorite moment at CMCC so far is seeing the team return from a rebuilding year to be nationally ranked. Since it’s his last year, he said he just wants to soak it all in and enjoy the ride.
Basketball player Hathaway said after playing in only 10 games last year at St. Joseph’s, he wanted a new home to showcase his talents. At CMCC he was welcomed with open arms.
“I chose CM because the first time I was on campus I felt like I had known the guys forever and felt like family instantly by the way coach, the guys on the team, and other faculty treated me,” Hathaway said.
At the halfway season point, Hathaway’s 15.9 per game average leads the Mustangs. His biggest game was against conference rival NHTI, where he had 33, with six 3-pointers.
Hathaway was named a captain before the season began. School officials said his attitude and work ethic make him a leader on and off the court.
“My biggest challenge so far has been trying to keep up with the expectations I have for myself on and off the court,” Hathaway said. “I want to be very successful on both, so managing the time between is hard.”
Gonyea, who is head basketball coach, said that finding the right college is all about fit. “Wyatt found his fit at CM, and he has not looked back. He is a legit gamer, and a kid who isn’t afraid to take and hit big shots. We are thrilled he is wearing the red and black.
“When you are watching him play, you can see the focus, the drive and willingness to do whatever it takes to win,” Gonyea said. “From hitting the big shot, setting up a teammate for an easy basket or diving on the floor for a loose ball, he leads by example.”