BOSTON, MA (December 9, 2023) – The UMass Boston Track and Field program will host The Beacons Season Opener meet on Sunday at The Track at New Balance. The field for this year is highly competitive and has representation from across all three NCAA Divisions.
 
"Our partnership with New Balance is a game changer for our Beacon Track and Field program with limitless performance possibilities," commented Head Coach Genesia Eddins. "To be able to host our event at The Track has attracted some of the top teams in the region, and I look forward to a competitive and exciting meet on Sunday."
 
Eddins, in her sixth season at the helm of the track and field programs, is a former Beacon herself and is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of UMass Boston and Division III Track & Field. As a student-athlete, she helped UMass Boston win the first of four Division III National Championships in school history (Indoor 1985, 86, 87 and Outdoor 1986). She was a 22-time All-American and won 12 individual/relay national titles. Eddins was named an All-American at all eight National Championship Meets she competed in and earned at least a second-place finish at all eight meets.
 
Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Jacqui Schuman noted, "The partnership between New Balance and UMass Boston provides an amazing opportunity for our student-athletes to train and compete at a world-class facility. Our collaboration with New Balance  helps us to provide a student-athlete experience that is second to none."
 
Field Events will begin at 9 am, followed by running events at 10 am.
 
Men's Track and Field
The Beacons have found early success in the short-distance events through sophomore sprinter Derrick Touba, as he heads into this weekend, coming off a 7.12 60m dash and a 23.24 finish in the 200m dash at the Suffolk Relays. First-year Prabhdeep Hassan kickstarted his collegiate career last week at the Suffolk Relays clocking in a 41.77 finish in the 300m dash. Additionally, first-year Hugo Dos Santos will look to build on the solid 400m finish he registered last week as he strides into the meeting this week with the comforts of home in front of him and the rest of the men's squad set to run, jump, and throw from one of the nations fastest indoor tracks.
 
Women's Track and Field
Following the Suffolk Relays last week, the top marks for the short-distance sprints on the women's team are held by Aryianna Garceau, who dropped an 8.15 finish in the 60m dash, then followed that up with a 26.91 finish in the 200m dash. Junior Harleen Bassan led the Beacons in the 400m dash with a 1:09.1 finish. Sophomore Jacqueline Earner leads all Beacons in the mile with a blistering 5:23.03 lead following last week at the Suffolk Relays. Junior Grace Colon will hold down the 5k for the Beacons, as she opened her indoor season with a 20:02.9 finish in the 5k last week. Junior pole vaulter Mackenzie Jorgensen will look to build on her 2.3 meter clearance in the pole vault following last week's opener. Expect to see junior Dorinda Okorji take flight from the runway as she led the Beacons in the long jump, marking a 4.74 leap last week. Keep an eye out for sophomore thrower Abigail Schell as she looks to command the thrower's circle in the weight throw from the New Balance Track on Sunday.
 
For live results and scoring, meet photos, and updates, visit UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website (beaconsathletics.com).
--BEACONS--