CASTINE, Maine — Maine Maritime Academy football head coach Nick Sheehan shared his thoughts on the Mariners' upcoming 2025 season.
The Mariners return to the gridiron in 2025 for their first full season since 2019. With nearly 20 returning players from last year's squad and almost 50 incoming freshmen, MMA will use the season to improve each day and continue building a program that began in the 1940s.
Eight Questions with Bryan Wolf
What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
I'm most excited to see our team continue to grow both individually and collectively. We have a strong, focused group of runners who are motivated to push their limits, learn to enjoy the sport and achieve their personal goals. I'm excited to see how our team's camaraderie, resilience and grit translate into strong performances this season, whether that's in personal bests, team success or both.
How do you plan training sessions so your team can be running its best heading into the NAC championship?
Simply put, we build fitness over time. Some students have had the opportunity to do a bit of preseason training, while others have been on boats or working, which made it difficult to run regularly. Each week, we strategically add workout volume and push our limits a bit more.
As a coach, what is your philosophy and how do you get your runners to buy into your approach?
My philosophy is simple: Have Fun > Don't Get Hurt > Run Fast. Winning races is always exciting, but it's not our main focus. Don't get me wrong — we work hard, but we do it as a team, supporting each other while never losing sight of the importance of enjoying running. I'm also in the trenches with them, so to speak. As an endurance athlete myself, I not only do the workouts alongside them but also have personal results that back up my training approach.
On the men's side, you return several talented runners who posted record times in 2024. How will you build off that success?
Success breeds success. Once you realize you can do something, you open the door to additional possibilities. Our training focuses on building resilience and grit, as well as strength and higher VO2 max. No matter how talented you are, there will always be a point in a race — or in life — when things get hard. It's our ability to embrace that struggle, trust in our training and find the strength to push through that ultimately leads to success.
On the women's side, how will you get the most out of your runners and help them enjoy their collegiate experience?
Cross country is a team sport, but success ultimately comes down to the effort each runner puts in. Our role is to encourage one another to push limits and discover what we're capable of. For me, getting the most out of my runners is seeing the satisfaction on their faces when they cross the finish line knowing they gave it everything they had. We run together, we push together, and we always have each other's backs.
How do you feel the makeup of your schedule will help you get ready to compete for a NAC championship?
Our training and schedule are designed to build peak fitness by the time we reach the NAC championship. Several of our meets feature courses that mirror the terrain at Saxl Park, which gives us the chance to prepare specifically for what we'll face. I'm confident this approach will set us up for success.
What are some of the biggest strengths of your team heading into the season?
Maine Maritime students are naturally focused and goal-oriented. Coming off a strong season last year, we carry the confidence of knowing what's possible and the determination to build on that success.
What do you define as success heading into the upcoming season?
I continually strive to help each runner meet their individual goals — whether that's consistently placing in the top five or simply crossing the finish line a little faster at each race. I define success by each athlete achieving what they're aiming for, and if we place or win a meet along the way, that's a great bonus. With a strong core group of men's runners, I believe we also have the potential for some exciting scoreboard results.
If it seems like my answer skirts around the word competition, let me assure you that everyone likes to win, but it is not the only source of motivation or success. I often ask my runners to find their personal reason for racing — what is their motivation, what is their resolve to get them over the next hill?
Closing:
Maine Maritime opens the season at the Ron Ouellette Invitational, hosted by the University of New England at Rotary Park in Biddeford, Maine.
