SOMERVILLE, MA (Feb. 16, 2008) – Freshman Cory Murray (Methuen, MA) captured his third shot put title in five weeks to lead the UMass Lowell men’s track and field team at the Tufts University Stampede Saturday at the Gantcher Sports and Convocation Center.

The non-scoring meet drew athletes and schools of all three NCAA divisions.

Murray provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championship with a season-best throw of 54 feet, 2.75 inches, pitting him ninth on the NCAA Division II list.

Murray’s distance was 9.25’’ shy of tying the school record of 55’ even set by Joe Brice in 1981.

Not far behind in the shot put was senior Rocky LeFort (Nashua, NH), who placed second with a toss of 51’ 5.5’’.

Also enjoying a stellar day was sophomore Robert Liekweg (Salem, NH) who won the 55 meter hurdles in 7.81 seconds, besting his preliminary time of 7.87. Freshman Matt Blazon (Lowell, MA) placed sixth in 8.29 seconds.

In a busy day, Liekweg also placed second in the 400 meter dash (50.69 seconds) and eighth in the pole vault (11’ 3.5’’).

Senior Terry Young (Mansfield, MA) performed well in multiple events, placing third in the long jump with a distance of 21’ 7.25’’ and fourth in the high jump, clearing 6’ 1.25’’.

Freshman Johan Rafael (Lawrence, MA) took third in the 55 meter dash in 6.51. Junior Rex Radloff (Dedham, MA) placed third in the mile in 4:16.40.

In other events, sophomore Justin Oliver (Lowell, MA) placed seventh in the 600 meters (1:25.50); and senior Jason Gustin (Wilmington, MA) placed seventh in the 1,000 meters (2:35.7).

UML enters the Norheast-10 Conference Championship next Saturday at Southern Connecticut.