HANOVER, N.H. – Paced by a win from Rachael Bergeron in the hammer throw, the UMaine track and field team completed day one of the NEICAAA Championships on Friday at Memorial Field. After the first day, the UMaine women and men sit in fifth place with 19 points and 18.5 points, respectively. 
 
Bergeron, who won the hammer at the America East Championships last weekend, reached a mark of 59.63m to earn the top spot out of 24 competitors. She took the victory by nearly four meters, as Erica Belvit of Northeastern earned the runner-up spot with a mark of 55.77m.
 
Alice Barnsdale also threw the hammer on Friday, earning fourth-place by recording a distance of 53.79m. The duo combined to give the Black Bear women 15 points.
 
A fifth-place performance from Ariel Clachar in the long jump (5.62m) earned the Black Bears four points
 
Kelby Mace took third in the javelin as one of the top finishers on the day for the UMaine men. He achieved his top-throw of afternoon on his third throw, which travelled 61.38m.
 
In the men's long jump, Elijah White also earned a third-place finish, registering a leap of 6.99m for six team points. Troy Davis added 2.5 points with a mark of 1.96m in the high jump to share sixth place.
 
Aaron Willingham grabbed fifth in the 5000m in the final event of the night for the Black Bears.
 
In preliminary action, Lauren Magnuson (2^nd, 400m, 55.96), Cassidy Hill (7^th, 100m, 12.28), Mozai Nelson (5^th, 100m, 10.84), Benjamin Davis (6^th, 100m, 10.92), qualified for the finals in their respective events.
 
Jacob Johns began the weekend for UMaine, competing at the West Point Twilight Meet on Thursday. He placed 14^th in 1500m (3:51.17) in his lone event.
 
The final day of New England's begins tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. For the full schedule, click here.
 
-UMaine-