Merrimack Men’s Track Shines in First Campaign

The following was submitted by Brad Davis of

The Merrimack men’s track team completed its first season of competition, finishing ninth of 11 teams in the Northeast-10.

Merrimack also took 20^th in the New England Championships and sixth out of NE-10 teams, headlined by the performance of Jesse Fowler of Lynn.

In the New England Championships, Fowler took fourth in the 100 and 200 meter finals and teamed with Ethan Weaver of Brooklyn, Conn., Ian Weaver of Brooklyn, Conn., and Peter Early of Ward Hill to finish eighth in the 4x100 relay.

“The New England Championships capped off a very successful first year for our program," said head coach Matt Pimentel. “Jesse showed he is one of the top sprinters in all of New England. Finishing 20^th as a team out of all Division I, II, and III programs is a tremendous accomplishment for our young team.”

At the Northeast-10 Championships, Fowler was third in the 200 meters and fifth in the triple jump, while the 4x100 relay team took third overall.

“The relay team beat fields that included top NE-10 track teams of Stonehill and Lowell as well Division I Boston College. The race showed our team we can compete with the best teams in the conference.”

Other contributors included Harry Mullin of West Hartford, Conn., who placed sixth in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Mullin also teamed with Ethan and Ian Waver and Brendan Mormile of West Haven, Conn., to place sixth in the 4x400 relay.

Earlier in the spring, Mullin set the facility record at the Bridgewater Invite, capturing the 3000 meter steeplechase.

While initial expectations were low for the field events, Merrimack also received numerous contributions throughout the spring in the high jump, triple jump, and long jump.

“I expected very little and was rewarded with hard work and dedication from everyone on the team,” said Pimentel. “Next year we bring in our first class of recruits, and I’m also hoping the success of this year’s team will inspire other athletes on campus to join us.”

Ian Weaver and Early placed seventh and eighth respectively in the high jump at the NE-10 Championship, while Anthony Baccini of Billerica was seventh in the high jump.

Earlier in the spring, Josh Henry of Westport, Conn., captured the triple jump at the Snowflake Classic, while Fowler was second.

Henry, who also lettered in football, is a finalist for the Merrimack Male Rookie of the Year, while the men’s track team is a finalist for the highest team GPA for the 2010-11 campaign.

“We feel we can improve significantly next year,” said Pimentel. “It will be hard to replace the senior leadership of Early and Mormile. The junior class of John Doherty of Chelmsford, Ethan Weaver and Ian Weaver will have to step in and provide the same intensity. Every athlete in the recruiting class has a chance to make an instant impact within the conference.”

Over the next two weeks, Merrimack is recapping the spring season at merrimackathletics.com.

May 26 – Women’s Track

May 27 – Men’s Track

May 31 – Women’s Tennis

June 1 – Men’s Tennis

June 2 – Women’s Lacrosse

June 3 – Men’s Lacrosse

June 6 – Baseball

June 7 - Softball