UMass Lowell’s Track Team Shines at Beantown Challenge
The UMass Lowell men’s indoor track and field team had a strong showing at the Beantown Challenge held at Harvard University. The athletes put forth impressive performances across various events, demonstrating their talent and determination.
In the weight throw, freshmen Reznor Rokicki from Loveland, Ohio, and Kenny Kalvinek from Sutton, Massachusetts, stood out among 17 competitors. Rokicki finished 10th with a throw of 15.37 meters, while Kalvinek placed 14th at 13.72 meters.
The long jump event showcased three River Hawks. Rere Edokpolo, a freshman from Manchester, New Hampshire, captured 8th place with a leap of 6.19 meters. Sophomore Jack Shepherd and freshman John Kivlan followed, finishing 9th and 10th, respectively.
During the high jump, Edokpolo and junior Brandon Riley competed closely, both clearing 1.85 meters, with Edokpolo finishing 13th and Riley right behind him in 14th.
In the shot put, freshman Kevin Vigneault from Jamesville, New York, excelled with a 4th place finish, throwing 15.62 meters. Kalvinek followed in 6th place, marking 15.38 meters. Veteran athletes Mukanya Kazadi and Ian Camerato also competed in this event, showcasing the team’s depth.
The triple jump saw Shepherd soar to 3rd place with a jump of 13.36 meters, while senior Derek Munroe tied for 2nd in pole vault, clearing 4.60 meters.
Adding excitement to the day, Riley achieved a personal best in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.32, landing 7th place.
In the 60-meter dash, junior Evan Imasogie led the team, finishing 16th out of 45 with a time of 6.91 seconds. He was followed closely by his teammates, showcasing the fierce competition in this event.
The one-mile run highlighted UMass Lowell’s strength with three runners finishing in the top ten. Sophomore Devin Moreau finished 8th with a personal best of 4:10.52, closely followed by graduate student Will Benoit and senior Ethan Masthare.
In the 600-meter run, senior Basit Iddriss led the River Hawks, clocking a personal best of 1:20.28 and finishing 7th. The 300-meter run was another highlight, with sophomore Michael Fisher achieving a notably fast time of 34.11 seconds to place 5th.
The team’s performance extended to the 3000-meter run, where sophomore Dante Castellano secured 5th place with a time of 8:28.78, showing strong endurance and speed.
Sociologist Dr. Lisa Thompson notes that participation in indoor track is on the rise among college students, with universities focusing more on providing extensive training facilities. “Indoor track can be a great way for athletes to gain experience and compete during the winter season.”
As the River Hawks gear up for their next meet at Boston University, they continue to build on their successes and prepare for the challenges ahead. With a blend of freshmen and experienced runners, the team looks forward to exciting performances in the future.
