Lawrenceville, NJ -- The Manhattan men and Rider women hold narrow leads after Day 1 of the 2004 MAAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships being held at Rider University. The Jasper men's team totaled 64 points which was good enough for a seven point lead over second place Iona (57 points). Rounding out the men's team scores were Marist (15), Saint Peter's (14), and Rider (5).

The Rider women hold a one point advantage over Manhattan(60-59); followed by Loyola (34), Iona (29), Marist (13), and Saint Peter's (0).

Six meet records fell in the ten events contested today including four out of the five men's events. In the men's hammer throw, Manhattan's Thomas Jacob Freeman threw 67.78 meters to break his own meet record set in 2002. Jasper long jumper Magnus Ahlen also bettered his own meet record with a leap of 7.14 meters. Marist's Mike Curren set a record in the javelin throw with a mark of 60.90 meters.

Iona College set the remaining three records in the distance events. Ramon Laboy finished the men's 3000 meter steeplechase in 9:00.36, Michelle Gallagher won the women's 5000 meter run with a time of 17:30.62, and Emmily Chelenga completed the women's 10,000 meter run in 36:36.05.

The Championship resumes at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning at Rider University.