Male Throwers Represent K-State on Day One in Eugene

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 1

EUGENE, Ore. – Entering the first day of the NCAA Championships with an impressive three hammer throwers and a First Team All-American shot putter, the Kansas State track and field saw its four men put on strong showings in their season finales on Wednesday at Historic Hayward Field.

“I am really proud of what the guys have accomplished this season,” throws coach Greg Watson said about the efforts of his male throwers. “I think they may be disappointed with their results, but they have a lot to hang their hats on this year. One of the most memorable moments of my career will always be watching these guys compete to earn their spots here.”

K-State’s men’s hammer throwers entered competition in historic fashion as all three competitors broke the school record this season and currently hold the top-three spots on the program’s all-time list in the event. The trio also made K-State the first school to qualify more than two male hammer throwers since Virginia Tech sent three in 2011. Georgia is the only other school since 2005 to accomplish the feat.

Junior Mitch Dixon provided the best toss for the Wildcat men, recording his top mark of 62.91m/206-04 on his second attempt in the series. An improvement off his first attempt (62.04m/203-06), the school-record holder was not able to improve again on his last throw to earn 20th place overall.

Senior Brady Grunder finished 20 centimeters behind his Wildcat teammate, recording a toss of 62.71m/205-09 on his second throw to claim 21st place in his second appearance at the nationals meet. Fellow senior Kyle Smith saved his best effort for last, tossing 61.54m/201-11 on his third attempt to finish in 22nd place in the final hammer throw competition of his career.

The Wildcats’ only other athlete in action on day one was sophomore Brett Neelly, who finished in 18th place in the men’s shot put with a final toss of 18.58m/60-11.50. Neelly opened with what ended up being his final mark on his first attempt in the series before throwing 18.52m/60-09.25 on his second throw.

Needing a big mark to put himself in contention to make the finals, the sophomore matched the mark from his first attempt to close out his series.

Thursday’s action also beginning at 4 p.m., CT, with Janee' Kassanavoid and Helene Ingvaldsen competing in the women’s hammer throw. Tickets for the NCAA Championships will be available on an all-meet and single-session basis and can purchased here. Fans who cannot travel to Eugene can catch the action on the ESPN family of networks, which can be found here, while live results for all four days of competition will be provided by Flash Results and can be accessed here.

More information on the meet, including ticket information, heat sheets and full schedule, can be found on NCAA’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship homepage, which can be found here.

For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.

NCAA Championships Day 1

Hayward Field

Eugene, Ore.

Men’s Shot Put

18. Brett Neelly – 18.58m/60-11.50

Men’s Hammer Throw

20. Mitch Dixon – 62.91m/206-04

21. Brady Grunder – 62.71m/205-09

22. Kyle Smith – 61.54m/201-11

Kansas State University Athletics

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 1

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