April 5, 2009

Results

Sophomore Cory Murray (Methuen, MA) captured the shot put and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championship to lead the UMass Lowell track and field team at the Stonehill Skyhawk Invitational Saturday afternoon.

UMass Lowell compiled 78 points to place sixth in the field of 13 Division I, II and III teams.

The host Skyhawks won the team title with 158 points while Tufts placed second with 127 points. Bryant University (93) took third and was followed by Boston College (89) and Northeastern (84.5).

Murray was among three River Hawks who won championships on the day as he threw the shot put 52 feet, 8.75 inches, pitting him seventh on the NCAA Division II list.

Senior Andrew Grange (Methuen, MA) captured the 400 meters in 48.63 seconds and was one of four River Hawks in the top 10 places.

Freshman Jeff Wundt (Southwick, MA) placed third in 50.31 seconds while freshman Mark Paquette (Dracut, MA) placed seventh (52.70) and freshman Josh Schussler (Wilbraham, MA) ninth (52.88).

Junior Steve O’Brien (Groton, MA) won the 3,000 meters in 9:58.77.

Freshman Matt Blazon (Lowell, MA) placed second (first among Division II-III athletes) in the 400 meter hurdles in 56.00 seconds, and led three teammates in the top seven places.

Junior Justin Oliver (Lowell, MA) placed third overall in 57.65 seconds while senior Robert Fernandez (Mansfield, MA) placed fourth in 58.55 seconds and junior Rich Curran (North Attleboro, MA) seventh in 59.47 seconds.

Blazon and Oliver, along with Schussler and Paquette, led UMass Lowell’s 4X400 meter relay team to second place (first) in 3:30.61.

Junior William Nguidjoi (Lawrence, MA) placed third in the long jump with a distance of 21’ 6.75’’ while freshman Giovanni Frias (Lawrence, MA) took ninth with a leap of 19’ 9.75’’. Frias also placed fourth in the 110 meter high hurdles in 16.27 seconds.

UMass Lowell hosts the George Davis Invitational Saturday at the Cushing Field Complex.