NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Mercyhurst men's track and field team continued their outdoor season competing at day one of the NEC Outdoor Championships. Distance runner Thomas Gaydos highlighted the day, placing fifth in the 10K.  

Gaydos' fifth place finish saw him finish with a time of 31:55.51. His time was the best of all freshman in the race, earning the Lakers four points. 
 
Freshman Zachary Noble competed in the men's pole vault. He placed sixth overall with a clearing 4.20 meters on his first attempt. He earned the team three points for his efforts. 

In the men's 800 meters, freshman Camden Pierce recorded a time of 1:56.92.

Freshmen Connor Stokes, Devin Easter and Eric Grimm competed in the 100 meters prelims for the Lakers. Stokes placed seventh overall with a time of 10.88, earning a spot in tomorrows finals. 

The trio also competed in the 200 meters, with Stokes posted a time of 21.99. Easter had a time of 22.64 and Grimm ran a 23.24.

The Lakers will wrap up their 2026 outdoor season with day two of the NEC Outdoor Championship. Coverage is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. with the first event of the day being women's javelin.