PROVIDENCE, RI (Apr. 27, 2008) – Freshman Shanika Pitts (Easton, MA) captured three events while sophomore Jacqui Barrett (Woburn, MA) won the shot put to lead the UMass Lowell women’s track and field team at the Brown University Springtime Invitational Sunday at Brown Stadium.

The non-scoring invitational drew schools from all three NCAA divisions as well as many athletes representing postgraduate track and field clubs from New England.

Pitts captured the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.44 seconds and moved on to share the title in the 200 meter dash with senior teammate Tristin Johnson (Pittsfield, MA) with a time of 25.73 seconds.

Both Pitts and Johnson then led UML’s 4X100 meter relay team to first place in 48.31 seconds, edging the host Bears (48.54) and Holy Cross (48.66). Joining them were sophomores Sharikka Finley-Moise (Lexington, MA) and Prisna Doriscat (Boston, MA).

Finley-Moise also ran well in the sprints, placing fifth in the 100 (12.82) and sixth in the 200 (26.76).

Barrett won the shot put with a career-best distance of 45 feet, 3.0 inches – pitting her 11th on the NCAA Division II list and virtually booking her place at the NCAA Championship.

Barrett was among three UML throwers in the top 10 as freshman Bethany Staiti (Barre, MA) placed seventh with a distance of 41’ 5.0’’ and senior Katie Brodeur (Lowell, MA) 10th with a toss of 36’ 6.75’’.

Brodeur also placed sixth overall and tops among Division II and III throwers in the hammer throw with a distance of 142’ 10.0’’.

Brodeur was among several athletes who finished among the top Division II and III entries in their respective events. Senior Gillian Mundry (Methuen, MA) took fourth overall (first among II-III athletes) in the long jump with a distance of 17’ 8.0’’ while junior Sarah Brassard (Oxford, MA) placed fifth (first) in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 11:47.70.

Sophomore Courtney Lincoln (Mansfield, MA) took seventh overall (first) in the 100 meter hurdles in 15.89 while sophomore Haley Catarius (Marshfield, MA) placed eighth in the 1,500 meters in 4:43.68.

Freshman Jenna Lapachinski (Turners Falls, MA) also enjoyed a solid day in the hurdles, placing fifth (second) in 1:07.83.

The River Hawks enter the Northeast-10 Conference Championship Saturday at Bryant University.