EASTON, MA (Apr. 5, 2008) – Freshman Johan Rafael (Lawrence, MA) captured the 100 meter dash and set a school record to lead the UMass Lowell men’s track and field team to fourth place at the Stonehill College Skyhawk Invitational Saturday.

UMass Lowell compiled 77 points as Tufts won the team title with 171.5 points while the host Skyhawks finished second with 140.5 points. Boston College placed third with 135 points and was followed by UML and Wheaton College (65).

Rafael led three UML athletes who won individual titles on the day and posted a time of 10.77 seconds to displace the former record of 10.86 seconds set by former standout Lawrence Aidoo in 2006.

Sophomore Robert Liekweg (Salem, NH) captured the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 51.92 seconds, and also placed sixth in the javelin with a distance of 156 feet, 1.0 inch.

Liekweg led three River Hawks in the top eight places in the 400 hurdles as freshman Matt Blazon (Lowell, MA) placed seventh in 56.50 and junior Robert Fernandez (Mansfield, MA) eighth in 57.90.

Also earning a title was senior Rocky LeFort (Nashua, NH), who captured the shot put with a throw of 51’ 3.0’’. Freshman Cory Murray (Methuen, MA) took second with a toss of 49’ 6.5’’.

LeFort led a solid showing in the field events for UML as senior Terry Young (Mansfield, MA) placed second in the long jump with a distance of 22’ 4.5’’, just 2.5’’ behind Stonehill’s Tyler Guilmette (22’ 7.0’’).

Additionally, sophomore William Nguidjoi (Lawrence, MA) took fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 42’ 8.25’’.

Highlighting the distance events was freshman Angus MacDonald (Methuen, MA), who took fourth overall and tops among Division II and III runners in the 800 meters with a time of 1:58.29. Freshman Tim Guerin (Auburn, MA) took second in the 5,000 meters in 15:50.07.

Freshman Sam Bastien (Canton, MA) impressed in the sprints, placing fifth in the 400 meter dash in 51.92 and sixth in the 200 meter dash in 22.69.

UML hosts the George Davis Invitational next Saturday while a select group of athletes venture to Walnut, CA, for the Mount San Antonio College Relays.