PROVIDENCE, RI (Apr. 27, 2008) – Freshman Matt Blazon (Lowell, MA) competed in four events and emerged among Division II and III athletes in two to lead the UMass Lowell men’s track and field team at the Brown Springtime Invitational Sunday at Brown Stadium.

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

Blazon highlighted the day placing fifth overall and tops among Division II-III runners in the 100 meter hurdles in 16.15 seconds. He also ran a leg on UML’s 4X400 meter relay team which placed second in 3:24.07, behind only Providence College (3:20.63). Joining him was senior Jeff Destino (Gloucester, MA) and sophomores Robert Liekweg (Salem, NH) and Justin Oliver (Lowell, MA).

Blazon also placed fourth (second) in the 400 meter hurdles in 56.31 seconds; and seventh in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 9.25 inches.

Blazon was among four UML athletes who emerged among Division II and III athletes in their events along with freshman William Nguidjoi (Lawrence, MA), who placed third (first) in the triple jump with a distance of 24’ 2.0’’.

Senior Joey DeWitt (Ellsworth, ME) placed fourth overall (first) in the 1,500 meters and senior Rocky LeFort (Nashua, NH) fifth (first) in the shot put with a toss of 49’ 11.75’’.

Liekweg was also a member of UML’s 4X100meter relay team which took third in 43.58. Joining him were seniors Terry Young (Mansfield, MA) and Bryan Koenig (Reading, MA) and freshman Sam Bastien (Canton, MA).

Liekweg and Destino also ran well individually, placing third overall (second) in the 400 meter hurdles in 55.17, just ahead of Blazon and Oliver (56.56). Destino placed seventh in both the 200 meter dash (23.41) and 400 meter dash (51.22).

In other events, Young placed fifth in the long jump (20’ 9.75’’); and freshman Chris Forbes (Methuen, MA) placed sixth overall (second) in the 800 meters in 1:56.79.

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