PRESQUE ISLE, ME
With a new season dawning, UMPI Women's Basketball Head Coach Mark Knight is already hot on the recruiting trail for the 2026-27 season. Bangor Christian High School's Lyndsie Durost has announced her intention to play basketball for the Owls next year.
Durost was born and raised in Bangor, and she will finish up her high school athletic career there as she's currently a senior at Bangor Christian High School. Durost is a standout athlete for the Patriots and was a huge piece in their breakout season during her junior year. The Patriots earned the number one seed in Class D, seemingly out of nowhere last February, and made it to the Northern Maine Semifinals.
A 5'8 guard, Durost is an extremely versatile player, and her stats show it. She averages 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals per game. Her knack for filling up the stat sheet has earned her several accolades throughout high school. She was named to the Penobscot Valley Conference First Team in 2023-24, and 2024-25, and in her sophomore year, earned the PVC Player of the Year award.
Durost will became a difference maker right away for the Owls who are getting ready to start a new season in a few days. Although she still has a promising senior year in front of her, Durost is certainly looking ahead to playing in college. "I'm so excited to attend UMPI next year to further my education and continue playing basketball at the collegiate level. This opportunity means so much to me, and I am so thankful for my family, teammates, and coaches for getting me here," Durost said.
Her high school coach, Kevin Reed, raved about what she's meant to his program. "Lyndsie is the epitome of the word teammate. She's relentless in her work ethic and a leader who inspires through action. She can erupt for points in bunches, and her elite shooting range forces defenses to extend, creating great spacing on the floor. UMPI got themselves a good one," Reed said.
As for UMPI Head Coach Mark Knight, he knows the impact Durost will make for his program. "Lyndsie will make an immediate impact as we continue to build our program into one of the top teams in the NAC. Her skills on the court speak for themselves, as she has earned some well-deserved accolades. What stood out to me most, though, is her character — and that's what makes me confident she'll find success both individually and as part of our program, on and off the court," Coach Knight said.
Durost will finish her up her senior year, and graduate from Bangor Christian in the spring. Right now, she intends to enroll in the PTA program next fall.
The Owls wish Lyndsie Durost the best of luck on her senior year and are excited to welcome her as the newest member of the UMPI Owls family!
