BOSTON (Mar. 9, 2008) – Junior Ruben Sanca (Boston, MA) ran the preliminary mile in 4:08.30 – one of the fastest times in UML history – as he led four UMass Lowell men’s track and field athletes Saturday at the IC4A Championship at Boston University’s Track and Tennis Center.

The result currently ranks as the fifth-fastest time in UML history as Sanca placed third overall and tops among Division II and III athletes. Sanca opted to forego Sunday’s final as he readies for the distance medley relay at the NCAA Championship Friday in Mankato, MN.

Sanca was one of four UML athletes who gave stellar efforts Saturday and Sunday. Freshman Cory Murray (Methuen, MA) and senior Rocky LeFort (Nashua, NH), the sole non-Division I throwers among 27 entries in the shot put, placed 16th and 20th, respectively.

Murray threw for a distance of 50 feet, 1.25 inches while LeFort posted a distance of 48’ 5.5’’.

Junior Rex Radloff (Dedham, MA), the only Division II or III runner in the 3,000 meters, placed 25th with a time of 8:26.77.

Thirteen UML athletes – three relay teams and three individuals – enter the NCAA Championship Friday and Saturday.

The River Hawks kickoff the outdoor season Mar. 20-22 at the Coastal Carolina Shamrock Invitational.