Anticipation Builds as NEICAAA Outdoor Championships Reveal Deep Fields and Marquee Matchups
- NEICAAA
- May 7
- 4 min read
Amherst, MA — May 7, 2025 — With the release of the final performance lists, anticipation is surging for the 2025 NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, set to take place this Saturday, May 10, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Drawing top athletes from across New England’s Division I, II, and III programs, this year’s championship promises high-stakes competition, dramatic showdowns, and a showcase of elite New England collegiate talent.
Sprinting Showdowns: Milliseconds Matter
The sprint events are stacked with depth and promise some of the tightest battles of the weekend. In the Men’s 100m, Rhode Island’s LJ Raye (10.50), Boston University’s Thomas Lamkin (10.52), and Central Connecticut freshman Stylz Mitchell (10.54) are separated by just 0.04 seconds. With six athletes seeded under 10.63, the dash could come down to the lean at the line. In the Women's 100m, Holy Cross freshman Abigail Desmarais leads with a seed time of 11.71, but UConn’s Blessing Kieh (11.81) and Kisha Francois of Southern Connecticut (11.96) are not far behind. Expect strong performances in both the prelims and finals. In the Men’s 400m, UMass Amherst’s Godot Gaskins (46.96) narrowly holds the top seed over Maine’s Miles Gay (47.15) and Andrew Card (47.19), setting up one of the most exciting races of the day.
For the Women's 400m, Holy Cross’s Molly O’Connor (54.81) and Bryant’s Savannah Pineda (54.92) lead a field where six women are seeded under 56 seconds.
Middle Distance Magic
The Men’s 800m features a compelling duel between Holy Cross’s Liam Lyons (1:49.33) and Vermont’s Kenneth Morrissey (1:49.98), both of whom could dip under 1:49 with the right pacing.
Lyons is also the favorite in the 1500m with a time of 3:41.99, but New Hampshire’s Aidan Shea (3:43.83) and UMass’s Michael Norberg (3:48.41) will be pushing the pace. For the Women's 800m, Holy Cross’s Alex Lusby leads the 800m (2:09.31), with Rhode Island’s Madeline Till (2:13.20) and Bentley’s Caitlin Burmester (2:13.49) within striking distance. In the 1500m, Rhode Island's Lily Saul (4:22.25) will be challenged by Holy Cross's Abigail Hughes (4:24.88), both of whom have the potential to break the 4:20 barrier with the right conditions.
Distance Depth and Record Threats
In the Women’s 5000m, Bryant’s Chloe Whiting (15:51.97) enters with a massive lead over the rest of the field - but keep an eye on New Hampshire’s Ruth White (16:23.05), a freshman phenom who has shown the ability to close hard. In the Men’s 5000m, UMass Amherst’s Collin Catherwood (14:19.48) and UConn’s Matt Scardigno (14:20.06) are neck-and-neck on paper, while UMass Amherst teammate Will Kenney (14:25.57) gives the Minutemen a strong team presence.
UMass Amherst also has firepower in the Men’s Steeplechase, where Michael Norberg’s 8:39.22 leads all entrants by more than 15 seconds, setting him up as a potential meet record threat.
Jumps and Vaults Feature Tight Packs
In the Women’s Pole Vault, UMass Amherst’s Megan Frazee (4.13m) and Chloe Taylor (4.02m) headline a deep field where over 10 athletes have cleared 3.70m this season. Holy Cross’s Maura Switzer (4.01m) also brings championship experience to what could be a bar-for-bar battle.
The Women’s Long Jump features an exciting matchup between New Hampshire freshman Sarah Moore (6.30m) and BU’s Asia Hamilton (6.12m), with several athletes seeded over 6 meters, promising a thrilling final.In the Men’s Long Jump, New Haven’s Nile Love (7.46m) and Rhode Island’s Ryan Tona (7.40m) are top seeds, but Tufts’ Sahr Matturi (7.34m) and Eastern Connecticut’s Michael Collins Jr. (7.32m) are also in striking distance.
Throwing Titans Collide
In the Men’s Shot Put, the showdown between New Hampshire’s Yoofi Abaka-Amuah (18.82m) and Southern Connecticut’s
Cameron Belton (18.54m) promises to be one of the most powerful events of the meet. UMass Dartmouth’s Ancil Alexander (16.43m) also leads the Men’s Discus, but with 10 men seeded over 47 meters, this event may come down to clutch throws in the final round.
The Women’s Throws highlight Maine’s Cheyenne Figueroa in the hammer (57.99m) and BU’s Kiana Lino in the shot put (14.79m), both entering as strong favorites.
Relays Bring Team Glory into Focus
Expect a close finish in the Men’s 4x400m, where UMass Amherst (3:12.58), Rhode Island (3:13.23), and Southern Connecticut (3:13.68) are virtually deadlocked. The Women’s 4x400m is equally compelling, with UMass Amherst (3:42.50) and Southern Connecticut (3:43.33) at the front of the field, followed closely by Rhode Island and Holy Cross. In the 4x800m relays, UMass Amherst’s women (8:53.38) and Rhode Island’s men (7:31.98) both enter with the top seeds and depth to defend.
As teams finalize their lineups and athletes prepare to peak, this year’s NEICAAA Outdoor Championships promise to deliver excitement across every lane and runway. With close margins, breakout stars, and championship pride on the line, fans are in for a thrilling day of collegiate track and field at its best.
For updates and results, visit www.neicaaa.net.
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