T&F: Lasell Delivers Strong Showing with Two Records at USM
Gorham, ME – The Lasell University men's and women's track & field teams delivered an outstanding showing at the University of Southern Maine meet, highlighted by two new school records, 10 top-10 finishes, and several all-time marks and personal bests.
Colin Roderick led the way on the men's side with a historic performance in the 55-meter hurdles, clocking an 8.78 in the prelims to place seventh overall and break the program record by 0.10 seconds. The previous mark was set by Spencer Villinski in 2024. On the women's side, Ella Meeker etched her name into the record books with a time of 11:30.48 in the 3,000 meters, finishing fifth overall and shattering the previous school record by an impressive 23.03 seconds, a mark that had stood since 2011.
Lasell collected 10 top-10 finishes on the day, led by Nate Gonzalez's runner-up finish in the high jump. Aiden Mitchell continued his strong season with a fourth-place finish in the 55 meters and a seventh-place showing in the 200 meters. Roderick added an eighth-place finish in the 55-meter hurdles finals, while Alex McFarlane placed eighth in the shot put and 10th in the weight throw. The men's sprint medley relay team of Ryan Ventura, Cameren Candelaria, Dylan Cullen, and Evan Lewis also earned a top-10 finish.
On the women's side, Meeker's fifth-place run in the 3,000 meters was joined by strong performances from Colleen Bartel, who placed fifth in the triple jump, and Julianna Huckans, who finished ninth in the long jump.
Multiple Lasers also earned spots on the program's all-time performance lists. Mitchell posted a 6.78 in the 55 meters, ranking second all-time in school history, while Gonzalez's 7.11 in the event now sits 10th all-time. Xazavior Gray recorded a throw of 8.15 meters in the weight throw, good for sixth all-time. For the women, Huckans ran an 8.29 in the 55 meters to move into fifth all-time, and Bartel clocked a 10.72 in the 55-meter hurdles, ranking sixth all-time.
The meet also featured a number of personal-best performances across the roster. Dante Mills ran a 7.29 in the 55 meters, Ventura posted a 7.41 in the same event, Vincent clocked a 24.93 in the 200 meters, Cullen ran a 24.67 in the 200 meters, Candelaria recorded a 58.52 in the 400 meters, Gray threw 8.66 meters in the shot put, and Casey Davis finished the 200 meters in 32.45.
Up Next: The Lasers will look to carry this momentum forward as they head to the Suffolk Relays this coming week.
