The University of Maine track and field teams will compete at the Friar Invitational hosted by Providence College on April 10 and the UMass Commonwealth Invitational on April 11.
These competitions offer athletes an opportunity to build on their performances from earlier in the season as they face new challenges at different venues.
Charlie Collins is set to race in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the Friar Invitational. Collins previously finished 51st in this event at the Raleigh Relays with a time of 9:13.64, and last year placed eighth in the Friar Invitational’s 5000-meter run with a time of 14:24.18. Ryan O’Connor will also compete Friday, entering her first outdoor season appearance in the women’s 5000-meter run after winning last weekend’s UMaine Spring Opener’s 3000 meters with a time of 10:03.50.
On Saturday, Gavin McGarrity will participate in the hammer throw at UMass after setting a Maine program record with a distance of 61.13 meters (200 feet, seven inches) during last week’s UMaine Spring Opener. Ava Zollars is scheduled for both hammer throw and javelin events; she won first place in hammer throw (47.29 meters/155 feet, two inches) and placed seventh in javelin (23.17 meters/76 feet) during her outdoor season debut.
Both meets provide further opportunities for athletes to test themselves against regional competition ahead of future championship events.
