Track Picks Up All-American Awards at Nationals
The University of Findlay men and women's outdoor track and field teams continued their success at the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship as three more Oilers were tabbed All-American on May 23 in Allendale, Mich.
Junior Justin Welch, who won a national title in the hammer throw yesterday for Findlay, finished as the runner-up in the discus throw with a school record breaking heave of 187'01 to lead the squads. He was just over two feet shy of claiming his second national title of the outdoor season as Ashland's Kyle Steinhauser took home the gold with a throw of 189'05.
Senior Dillon Webster finished third in the preliminary round of the 800-meter run to secure a spot in the finals after crossing the finish line in 1:50.75. Webster, who earned All-American honors by reaching the final round, will run in the event tomorrow.
After day two on the men's side, the Oilers sit in fourth place at the meet with 18 points. All 18 points for the men have been scored by Welch so far and Chico State leads the championship with a total of 31 points.
On the women's side, senior Pam Showman claimed All-American honors in the heptathlon after finishing sixth with a school record breaking performance of 5,058 points.
Freshman Alex DeVincentis just missed out on being an All-American after taking ninth in the discus with a toss of 151'08 while sophomore Samantha Grippe took 18th in the 800-meter run after crossing the finish line in 2:12.38.
The championship meet will conclude tomorrow with freshman Ben Hahler (shot put), junior Demorrio Leggett (triple jump), junior Kendra Averesch (shot put) and sophomore Lydia Guagenti (high jump) scheduled to compete for Findlay.