The UMass Lowell outdoor track and field team launched their season at the Raleigh Relays, with freshman Alessandra Forgione breaking the women's javelin record at 44.60m in her debut. The men's 1,500m featured graduate student Andrew Benassi, who finished with a time of 3:54.05, while senior Ethan Mashtare represented the team in the 3,000m steeplechase with a mark of 9:28.90. Freshman James Cruse led the 5,000m competitors with a finishing time of 14:32.97. Graduate student Jan Wouter van den Akker finished 15th in the competitive 10,000m with a time of 28:57.87, showcasing the team's overall strong performance despite challenging conditions.

By the Numbers
  • Alessandra Forgione set a school record with a javelin throw of 44.60m.
  • Jan Wouter van den Akker finished 15th in the 10,000m out of 95 competitors with a time of 28:57.87.
State of Play
  • Freshmen showcased strong performances in their debuts, particularly in the 5,000m and javelin events.
  • The team is set to continue competing at the Raleigh Relays and the D'Amour Invitational in Lowell.
What's Next

The team will have a new group participating on day two of the Raleigh Relays, while others will compete at a home event in Lowell. This ongoing competition is expected to provide further opportunities for athletes to improve their performances.

Bottom Line

The River Hawks' strong start at the Raleigh Relays, highlighted by record-breaking performances, sets an optimistic tone for the outdoor season. The mix of established and new athletes positions the team for potential future successes.