SOMERVILLE, MA (Feb. 2, 2008) – Seniors Tristin Johnson (Pittsfield, MA) and Gillian Mundry (Methuen, MA) and sophomore Jacqui Barrett (Woburn, MA) each captured individual titles to lead UMass Lowell to second place at the Tufts Jumbo Invitational II Saturday at the Gantcher Sports & Convocation Center.

The River Hawks compiled 124 points and placed second only to the host Jumbos (160). Springfield placed third with 72 points and was followed by Wheaton (64), Ithaca (55) and Brandeis (50.5).

Johnson captured the 400 meter dash among 30 sprinters with a time of 59.57 seconds, leading a solid day by the UML sprinters.

Johnson was one of a handful of UML sprinters in the top nine spots. Freshman Mary Effler (North Attleboro, MA) placed fourth in 1:02.31 while senior Erin Doherty (Lawrence, MA) placed sixth in 1:02.37 and freshman Jayson-Ann Wright (Bronx, NY) ninth in 1:03.58.

The River Hawks also captured the 4X200 meter relay with a time of 1:46.58, led by freshman Nerlande Mintor (Roslindale, MA), who ran a 25.88-second split. Sophomore Heather McCarthy (Burlington, MA) led off in 26.76 seconds while Doherty ran a 26.89 leg and freshman Jenna Lapachinski (Turners Falls, MA) 26.76.

McCarthy also placed fourth in the 200 meter dash in 26.99 seconds and led four River Hawks in the top 10. Sophomore Prisna Doriscat (Boston, MA) placed sixth in 27.24 while sophomore Sharikka Finley-Moise (Lexington, MA) took eighth in 27.69 and Effler 10th in 27.84.

Finley-Moise also placed fourth in the 55 meter dash in 7.46 seconds.

Mundry highlighted a busy afternoon by winning the long jump with a distance of 17 feet, 1.25 inches. She also placed fifth in the 55 meter dash in 7.53 seconds, and seventh in the high jump, clearing 4’ 11.0’’.

Also in a busy day, sophomore Olivia Thibou (Boston, MA) placed fifth in the long jump (16’ 4.5’’) and highlighted with a second-place showing in the triple jump (35’ 7.75’’).

Led by Barrett’s season-best distance of 42’ 2.0’’, three UML throwers placed in the top five spots in the shot put. Freshman Bethany Staiti (Barre, MA) placed third with a distance of 39’ 0.25’’ while senior Katie Banfield (Billerica, MA) placed fifth with a throw of 36’ 2.25’’.

Other results include that of junior Christina DaLomba (Marstons Mills, MA), who placed second in the 600 meters in 1:38.94, the fourth-fastest time in UML history.

Freshman Lauren Raimondi (East Longmeadow, MA) placed second in the 55 meter hurdles in 8.68 seconds while sophomore Courtney Lincoln (Mansfield, MA) took third in 8.88.

Junior Katie Brodeur (Lowell, MA) placed fifth in the weight throw (39’ 1.75’’) while senior Amanda Sousa (Peabody, MA) placed seventh in the 1,000 meters (3:08.51); and junior Sarah Brassard (Oxford, MA) seventh in the triple jump (35’ 7.75’’).

UML enters the Boston University St. Valentine’s Day Classic next Saturday.