Maine College Wins Fifth Straight Track Championship

When sophomore Isaac Keresey crossed the finish line in his sixth event of the weekend, he helped seal something special for Saint Joseph's College: a fifth straight conference championship that showed what happens when seniors lead and rookies rise to meet them.

The Monks took over their home track in Standish, Maine this weekend, racking up 233 points at the GNAC Outdoor Championship. Their nearest competitor, Emmanuel College, finished 88 points behind at 145.

Keresey earned Men's Track Athlete of the Meet honors after an incredible performance. He won both the 1500 meters and 400-meter hurdles, placed second in the 800 meters, finished third in pole vault, and anchored two winning relay teams. His versatility across six different events showcased the depth that carried the Monks to victory.

Junior Matthew Corriveau delivered one of the meet's biggest moments when he launched himself 23 feet, 2.5 inches in the long jump. The leap shattered the school's outdoor record and qualified him for Division III New England championships.

The team won three relay events and swept through the hurdles. Senior Abdirizak Abukar claimed individual titles in both the 200 and 400 meters while helping his relay teams cross the line first. Freshman Cameron Gonyer threw the javelin 48.15 meters to win his first college championship.

Head coach Mike Burleson watched his seniors compete in their final home championship with pride. "Our men competed with confidence, embraced the competition, and brought an energy that showed how much they truly enjoyed the moment," he said after the meet.

The Ripple Effect

Five straight championships don't happen by accident. They happen when experienced athletes like Abukar and the senior class create a culture where freshmen like Gonyer and Eli Benjamin feel empowered to compete fearlessly in their first conference championship. Junior Haytham Ramadan won the 800 meters in a qualifying time that puts him on the regional stage, then turned around to help younger teammates in their events.

The mix worked perfectly. Veterans won their events with times that qualified them for bigger meets ahead. Rookies stepped up in the throws and jumps. Together, they scored in nearly every event on the schedule.

Saint Joseph's built something sustainable in Standish, where commitment shapes culture and culture delivers championships.