The UMBC Indoor Track & Field program returns to action on Friday at the VCU Rams Indoor Invitational in Virginia Beach. The meet will be held at the Virginia Beach Sports Center with field events beginning at 10 am, followed by running events at 11 am. 

Last time out, Ava Roberts and Marie Abongwa each took a home a gold and a pair of podiums, while Enazajah Young broke the school record in the 60 meter hurdles in her first career race as the UMBC Women's Track & Field team began its Indoor season at the St. John's Youree Spence Garcia Invitational on December 6.

Abongwa handily won the weight throw with a career-best distance of 17.00m, good for fourth all-time in UMBC history, and also secured the bronze in the shot put (13.63m)

Roberts, who had not competed in indoor since the 2024 America East Indoor Championships, made a brilliant return to action as she easily won the shot put (15.01m) and came in second in the weight throw (16.58m). The shot put was the fourth-best mark in Retriever history, while the weight throw distance was the eighth-best in program history. 

Young broke a 16-year-old record as she blew out the competition in a time of 8.50. The freshman also took fourth overall in the 60 meter dash minutes later (7.64), the third-fastest time in UMBC history.

Roberts was named the Field Performer of the Week  after she won the shot put at the Youree Spence Garcia Invite with a throw of 15.01 meters that ranks 12th in the nation, she also placed second in the weight throw at 16.58 meters.

Young earned Rookie of the Week honors by shattering a 16-year old school record as she won gold in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.50. In addition, she placed fourth in the 60 meter dash at 7.64.

Anna Creel took home bronze in the 300 meter dash in 39.60 and took silver in the 4x400 relay along with Lily Bandy, Dalyce Schmidt and Leanne McDonald in a time of 3:48.28. 

For the Men, Toren Burr won the weight throw and freshman Jacob Martin won and set a school record in the 600 meter and then was the anchor on the the 4x400 gold medal winning relay.

Burr won the competition with a career-best throw of 16.58 on his fifth attempt, the ninth best in UMBC history. Four of his attempts were over 16 meters. Xavier Gooden took fourth in both the weight throw (14.86) and the shot put (13.89).

Martin was the star of the evening, as he first set the school record in winning the 600 meter in 1:19.57, and then joined Rhema Nkwocha, Alim Raji and Justin Febles to win the 4x400 (3:14.81) by nearly six seconds. Martin was named the America East Rookie of the Week for his performance.

Ojigwe Olua won the 60 meter hurdles in a time of 8.08, while Joseph Addo also finished on the podium as he took bronze with a time of 8.39.