Orlando, Fl. - The UMBC men's track and field squad opened the outdoor season with a solid performance at the 2025 UCF Black & Gold Invitational this past weekend.  

The Retrievers placed in two relay events and broke the school mark in the 4 x 400 that had stood since 1994. The 4 x 400 placed 4th and the 4 x 100 squad placed 5th. Graduate student Jaeden Burke, freshman Alpha Balde, Miller, and freshman Alin Raji clocked a time of 3:10.10 in the 4 x 400 and recorded a time of 40.42 in the 4 x 100. 

Iosif Papa was the runner-up in the discus. The junior turned in an outstanding effort of 55.16 meters (180'11"). Bryce Ruland (Iowa) won the event with a toss of 55.75 meters. Papa outperformed some of the top talent in the nation, including several from Power 5 conferences. 

Graduate student Ethan Hart finished 6th in the shot put with a throw of 15.96 meters (52' 4 1/2"), while senior Toren Burr and sophomore Scott Gersten flashed in the javelin. Burr was 9th (58.80m, 192'11") and Gersten slotted 13th (54.05m, 177'4"). 

Senior Marquis Miller picked up where he left off from the indoor season, placing 8th in the 400 meters with a time of 47.37. 

Joseph Addo took 18th in the 400 hurdles as the freshman crossed the line in 56.13.