PROVIDENCE, R.I.-The University of Southern Maine snapped Eastern Connecticut State University's six-year reign on the Little East Conference Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship field this afternoon at Rhode Island College. The Huskies scored 194 total points to earn the program's second conference championship trophy, defeating second place Keene State College by 69 points.

Eastern Connecticut State University placed third with 103 points, while Rhode Island College (77) edged UMass Dartmouth (76) by just a single point for fourth. UMass Boston completed the six-team field with 38 points.

Under the direction of Head Coach Scott Hutchinson, the University of Southern Maine had five individual championships, and a team relay to earn the program's first Little East Conference Championship since 2001. Derek Murchie (Windham, Maine) led the charge for the Huskies, capturing a pair sprint events. The senior won the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.35, while also claiming the 200-meter dash in 23.19. Freshman Mason Shepard (Portland, Maine) continued Southern Maine's winning ways in the 110-meter hurdles (16.16), while senior Curtis Wheeler (Derby, Vt.) was victorious in the 1,500-meter run (4:00.39). Sophomore Tyler Jasud (Rumford, Maine) rounded out the Huskies' contingent with the 5,000-meter run title (15:31.18).  

Bryan Kolacz (Brentwood, N.H.) was a triple-winner in the field events for Keene State College, capturing the shot put, hammer throw, and discus throw. The freshman tossed the shot put 13.85 meters, while launching the hammer (49.12) and discus (44.59). Sophomore Frank Radlof (Milford, N.H.) joined Kolacz with multiple victories, winning the long (6.74 m) and triple jump (13.33 m), respectively.  

UMass Dartmouth senior Chris Jodoin (Uxbridge, Mass.) earned a pair of trips to the top of the awards podium. He won the 400-meter dash in a time of 49.35, and the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 54.93.

All six Little East Conference men's track and field teams return to action on Saturday, May 3 for the New England Division III Championships in New London, Conn.