COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland track and field teams kicked off their outdoor seasons Saturday afternoon at the Kehoe Track & Field Complex, capturing both the men's and women's team titles at the 2017 Maryland Invitational.

The women cruised to first place with 225 points, out-gunning second place Coppin State (108) and the field with eight event victories and several top-three finishes. The men also came out ahead by a comfortable margin, scoring 147 points to come out ahead of second place New Jersey Institute (133). The meet also featured athletes from Delaware, Loyola, Bowie State, American and a host of local schools.

Women

Junior Alexandra Lucki made her way into the top-five all-time in the 5,000 meter run, finishing as the top collegian in the event with a mark of 16:56.20. Maryland was all over the 800, with Catherine Voelpel (2:14.38), Alexa Squirini (2:15.41) and Rachelle Alexander (2:16.04) finishing 1-2-3. Squirini also notched a second place finish in the 1500, crossing the line in 4:33.58 to lead the Terps in the event. Sydney Almeida led the charge in the 3000, winning in 10:12.38

Maryland swept the 100 hurdles, as Taylor Tucker (14.73), Kayla Richardson (14.86), Jewel Smith (15.02) and Dallyssa Huggins (15.25) claimed the top-four spots for the Terps.

Chandler Baxter and Kayla Richardson were neck-and-neck to lead the field in the 200, finishing first (24.90) and second (24.91) respectively.

The Terps were on top of the throws, with Claudia Ababio taking second in the shot put (13.86m), first in the discus (49.51m) and second in the weight throw (54.24m). Emma O'Hara took home an event victory in the hammer throw, winning with a toss of 55.82 meters.

Men

Alex Leto set a new outdoor PR in the 200, capturing the event victory in 21.95, while TJ Bleichner (1:54.96) and Kameron Jones (1:55.68) went 1-2 to lead Maryland in the 800 meter run.

Paul Joseph was the top Terp in the 400 meter dash, finishing second in 49.89. 

In the field events, Gaston Assoua (6.52m) and Drew Alfano (6.36m) went 1-2 in the long jump, while josh Landsman (1.93m) and David Tarcza (1.88m) went 2-3 in the high jump. Greg Thompson dominated the field in his season debut in the discus, throwing 54.26 meters to win.

Both squads ended the day with victories in the 4x400 relays, with the men finishing in 3:21.17 and the women's A squad crossing the line first in 3:47.96

Maryland will be back on the track March 24 at the UNF Spring Break Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla.

-Terps-