Men's Track & Field Captures ECSU Invitational Title

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- The Bridgewater  State University men's outdoor track & field team won the meet title at the 10th Annual ECSU Invitational hosted by Eastern Connecticut State University on Friday afternoon.

The Bears posted a score of 193 points as they outdistanced Division II Franklin Pierce University which placed second with 166 points.

Five different Bears captured top honors in their respective events at the meet.

Freshman Joshua Higgins (Fitchburg, Mass.) won the 800-meter run with a personal-best time of 1:56.27, while junior Michael Kotleski (Great Barrington, Mass.) placed first in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.30 seconds.

Freshman Olivier Ndikumana (Amherst, Mass.) recorded the top distance in the triple jump with a leap of 41 feet, 10.5 inches (12.76m). Junior Austin James (Mansfield, Mass.) posted a throw of 43 feet, 8.5 inches (13.32m) to win the shot put, while sophomore Brandon Houle (Cumberland, R.I.) rounded out the Bears event winners with a career-best toss of 177 feet, seven inches (54.12m) in the javelin.

Freshman Nick Johnson (Marstons Mills, Mass.) finished second behind an unattached competitor in the discus throw with a personal-best heave of 137 feet, seven inches (41.95m).

The Bears are off until, Saturday, April 29th when they compete at the MASCAC/New England Alliance Championships hosted by Westfield State University.