CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Colin McCabe's record-breaking freshman season came to a close with a stellar fifth place finish at the New England Division-III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The first-year shot putter had the farthest throw by any MASCAC representative with his third-best put of the year.

McCabe qualified for the New England Championship on the back of his record-setting performance at the New England Alliance Outdoor Championships last weekend. His final shot travelled a whopping a 15.49m to set an Academy record and snag a silver medal among MASCAC throwers and a bronze overall.

Just ahead of McCabe last week was Elmer Acuña, a sophomore from Worcester State University who had averaged less than McCabe but mustered a 15.65m throw on his final attempt of the day. The pair was bested by UMass-Dartmouth's Jared Louf-Woods, one of the region's best shot putters.

This time, McCabe had his revenge on conference rival Acuña, who finished almost a meter short of his MASCAC title-winning put with a 14.67m. The native of Dartmouth, Mass. was one of the most consistent throwers in the event, starting with a 14.96m put before 15.02m and 14.85m attempts. Those totals moved him to the finals, as only the top eight progressed.

McCabe's first put of the final round was measured 15.09m and after a 14.98m throw, he reached back for a little more on his final try of the day and was called for a foul. While McCabe has continued to throw farther and farther this year, unlike most throwers he has done so without fouling.

The rookie's fourth put of 15.09m was still well ahead of Acuña and enough to secure the five-spot out of New England's 22 best throwers. It would have taken a personal- and Academy-best put to move up the table, as the three throwers ahead of McCabe registered 15.49m, 15.48m, and 15.46m.

Louf-Woods completed an outstanding senior season for the Corsairs with the New England title, though like most of the throwers today, did so with a shorter distance than normal. Louf-Woods finished with a 15.74m put, well behind his 16.81 a week ago.

Fans of the local athlete will have to wait until autumn, when McCabe suits up for the Buccaneer football team. In his first season, he earned MASCAC All-Conference honors as a defensive lineman.

In the meantime, make sure to bookmark www.mmabucs.com and get the inside scoop on Facebook and Twitter @mmabuccaneers. Plus, check out our new Instagram @massmaritimebuccaneers.

Gabriel Fidler, Sports Information Associate