The University of Maine men’s and women’s track and field teams had a split meet this past weekend. While the majority of the two teams were in New Hampshire for UNH’s outdoor opener, the Black Bears sent some of their best in third-year Grace MacLean and fourth-years Jaclyn Masters and Robyn McFetters from the women’s squad and third-year Asaad Hicks and fourth-year Jake Leithiser from the men’s team to Coral Gables, Florida for The University of Miami’s Hurricane Invitational Meet.
McFetters’ highlighted the women representatives by placing third in the hammer throw with a mark of 58.96 meters. MacLean earned 4,294 points to earn sixth place in the heptathlon. The versatile junior placed third in the 100-meter hurdles (14.64 seconds), fifth in the high jump (1.62 meters), 10th in the shot put (9.53 meters), 10th in the 200-meter dash (26.78 seconds), eighth in the long jump (4.98 meters), 11th in the javelin throw (21.10 meters) and seventh in the 800-meter run (2:41.78).
On the men’s side, Hicks posted a mark of 2.08 meters in the high jump to secure fourth place. Leithiser grabbed sixth place in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:50.26.
Black Bears show depth as youth impress at UNH
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) picked up wins in both the men’s and women’s meets. The Black Bears held their own with the men picking up a third place finish while the women grabbed second. Joining the Black Bears in Durham, N.H. were University of Massachusetts-Lowell (UMass-Lowell), UNH and Holy Cross.
The final point totals for the men’s meet were UNH with 220, UMass-Lowell with 175.50, Maine with 157 and Holy Cross with 59. On the women’s side, UNH lead the way with 220 points. They were followed by Maine with 154, UMass-Lowell with 140 and Holy Cross with 117.
In the men’s meet, the Black Bears were paced by six first place finishes. Third-year Jesse Orach was victorious in the 5,000-meter, crossing the finish line with a time of 15:06.72. Third-year Levi Frye took first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:49.30. Fourth-year Tyler Martin took first in the high jump, clearing a height of 2.02 meters. Second-year Steven Longfellow posted a mark of 12.90 meters in the triple jump on his way to a first place finish. Fourth-year Shane Corbett placed first in the discus with a throw of 44.66 meters while second-year Kelby Mace posted a mark of 53.94 meters to win the javelin throw.
Other notable Black Bear performances include second place finished by first-year Aaron Willingham in the 1,500-meter (4:06.39), third-year Justin Tracy (15:19.87) in the 5,000-meter run and first-year Simon Powhida (9:58.21) in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
The 4×400-meter relay team consisting of Martin, first-year Tucker Corbett, and second-year brothers Elijah and Isaac Yeboah finished second with a time of 3:26.23. Second-year Alecsander Wortman took third in the pole vault, clearing 4.11 meters. Second-year Joshua Horne finished third in the 5,000-meter, clocking in at 15:23.90. Third-year Jeremy Frantz picked up a third-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 14.37 meters. The Black Bears 4×100 relay team (Martin, Isaac Yeboah, third-year Ryan Jamison and first-year Dylan Smith) grabbed third place with a time of 43.77.
On the women’s side, the Black Bears took first place in five events. Third-year Teal Jackson shined in the 400-meter, clocking in at 58.65 seconds. Second-year Kaitlin Saulter took first in the 800-meter with a time of 2:19.56. With McFetters in Miami, third-year Ashley Donohoe and fourth-year Emily Boardman led the Black Bear throwers. Donahue posted a mark of 41.34 to pick up first in the discus while Boardman took first in the hammer throw with a toss of 49.34 meters. Donahue added a second-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 12.10 meters.
The 4×400 relay team consisting of Saulter, second-year Grace Macura, third-year Kelsey Maxim and first-year Lauren Magnuson took first with a time of 4:05.16. Magnuson added a second place finish in the 200-meter with a time of 25.74. Maxim took second in the 800-meter with a time of 2:20.70. Fourth-year Annabelle Wilson and second-year Hope Gardner placed second and third in the 5,000-meter. Wilson crossed the finish line in 18:30.71 followed by Gardner in 18:36.52. First-year Abigail Weigang grabbed third in the hurdles with a time of 15.76. Second-year Rachel Bergeron placed second in the hammer throw with a distance of 47.98. First-years Ariel Clachar and Lucia Guarnieri continued to impress in their rookie campaigns as Clachar took third place in the long jump (5.35 meters) and Guarnieri took second in the triple jump (10.57 meters).
Both Black Bears teams return to action on Saturday, April 16 as they head back to Durham, N.H. for the Wildcat Invitational.
