UMass Lowell Sweeps All Three Track Championships

The UMass Lowell River Hawks completed something no team in their program's history had ever done: sweeping every conference track and field championship in a single season.

Competing at home in Lowell, Massachusetts, the men's track team captured the 2026 America East outdoor championship with 166.5 points, finishing well ahead of second-place UAlbany's 140 points. The victory completed an unprecedented "triple crown" after winning both the indoor championship and cross country titles earlier in the season.

"It is really difficult to win one of these," said Head Coach Gary Gardner. "To win back-to-back-to-back and complete the triple crown was not easy."

The River Hawks dominated across events throughout the weekend. Freshman Derek Munroe broke his own school record in the decathlon, scoring 7,034 points to take first place and earn 10 team points. Junior Brandon Riley followed in second place with 6,483 points, giving UMass Lowell seven wins across the 10 decathlon events.

Distance runners shined in the 5,000-meter run, with three River Hawks finishing in the top eight and collecting 15 total points. Graduate student Jan Wouter van den Akker from the Netherlands led the pack with a second-place finish in 14:52.48.

Sophomore Michael Fisher set a personal record in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.35, earning eight points with his silver medal finish. The team collected points across sprints, hurdles, relays, and field events, showcasing depth that proved impossible for competitors to match.

The Ripple Effect

This historic sweep represents years of program building at UMass Lowell. The team's third outdoor championship in four seasons shows sustained excellence, not just a lucky year. Student athletes from seven different states and three countries contributed to the win, proving that diverse talent and dedicated coaching create something special.

The victory energizes an entire campus community and inspires young athletes across Massachusetts to dream bigger about what's possible.

Today, the River Hawks stand as proof that consistent effort, teamwork, and belief in a shared vision can make history.