UMass Lowell Athletics

A sprinter/jumper from 2002-06, Esia (Johnson) Harper left a lasting impression on the UMass Lowell track and field program, all the more impressive considering she competed in an array of events.

Seven years graduated, Harper continues to hold school records in the 4X100 meter relay (46.46) and 4X200 meter relay (1:39.11), and held the school record in the triple jump (38 feet, 11.0 inches, since surpassed).

Harper's arrival at UMass Lowell could not have been more timely. The River Hawks graduated arguably the best female athlete in the program's history in Jill (Croft) Paige '02, a seven-time All-American in the sprints and jumps.

Head coach Gary Gardner was entering his first season at UMass Lowell in Harper's freshman season. "With Esia, we knew we were getting a potential superstar, someone who could score for us in multiple events in big meets," Gardner said. "With Jill graduating, we knew we had a significant vacancy to fill, and Esia bridged that gap."

It was no coincidence that UMass Lowell's team success was at its peak during Harper's years. The River Hawks won six of a possible eight Northeast-10 Conference indoor and outdoor titles and finished among the top five on five occasions at the New England Championship, including a best-ever second at the 2004 and 2005 outdoor meets.

In 2006, with only five athletes, the UMass Lowell women placed a best-ever fifth at the NCAA Championship, in part to Harper's sixth-place finish in the long jump (19' 4.0'').

A full resume of honors speak of Harper's talent: She was a three-time All-American, twice in the long jump and once in the 4X100 meter relay; and four-time New England champion, which consists of NCAA Division I, II and III schools, twice in each event.

Additionally, she earned All-New England honors eight times over four years in the long and triple jumps and the 4X100. She gave a hint of things to come as a freshman in 2002-03, when she captured the Northeast-10 Championship in the indoor and outdoor long jumps and the 4X100 relay, and went on to earn NE-10 Freshman Athlete of the Year honors.

In all, she won 11 NE-10 titles and was named the NE-10 Championship Athlete of the Meet three times.

Harper and her husband, Dashon, a former men's basketball standout at the University from 2006-08, reside in Lawrence with their sons Desmin (4) and Kennes (born in April 2013).