Kansas State University Athletics
Neelly’s Record-Breaking Performance Leads to Big 12 Athlete of the Week
Apr 17, 2019 | Track & Field
MANHATTAN, Kan. – After setting the school record in the men's shot put on Saturday at the Triton Invitational, Kansas State Track and Field senior Brett Neelly earned his second-career Big 12 Athlete of the week honor, the league announced on Wednesday.
Neelly, a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, broke the 34-year old school record on his final attempt on Saturday, throwing 20.13m/66-00.50, shattering the previous record held by Andrew Gillam of 19.69m/64-07.50 in 1985. Neelly now holds both indoor and outdoor school records and is the only Wildcat to break 20 meters in the event, which he has done three times in his career.
"It's great for him (Brett Neelly) to break the school record and get the recognition," Assistant Coach Nathan Ott said. "He has worked really hard and now that he has the record behind him. I think it can lead to more big throws."
Neelly's recording-breaking throw ranks seventh in the NCAA this season and second in the Big 12. Prior to Saturday, Neelly stood at third in K-State outdoor history with his throw of 19.59m/64-03.25 set at last year's Texas Tech Corky/Crofoot Shootout.
The honor marks the second Big 12 Athlete of the Week award of Neelly's career, with the last coming on February 15, 2017. Neelly becomes the 11th men's recipient of the Big 12 Athlete of the Week honor and the first since Miles Bearden claimed the honor on May 10, 2017.
K-State has now claimed Big 12 Athlete of the Week honors in consecutive weeks, with Lauren Taubert winning the award a week ago for her 5,669-point heptathlon performance at the Jim Click Combined Events in Tucson, Arizona.
For a full recap of Neelly's record-setting performance at the Triton Invitational, click here. This weekend, K-State will be in action at the Michael Johnson Invitational in Waco, Texas on April 19-20.
For the latest on K-State track and field, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter using the hashtag #KStateTF or on the team's Facebook page.
Neelly, a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, broke the 34-year old school record on his final attempt on Saturday, throwing 20.13m/66-00.50, shattering the previous record held by Andrew Gillam of 19.69m/64-07.50 in 1985. Neelly now holds both indoor and outdoor school records and is the only Wildcat to break 20 meters in the event, which he has done three times in his career.
?? Brett Neelly's record-breaking throw of 20.13m/66-00.50
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 14, 2019
?? #KStateTF pic.twitter.com/d7OJCsRMSH
"It's great for him (Brett Neelly) to break the school record and get the recognition," Assistant Coach Nathan Ott said. "He has worked really hard and now that he has the record behind him. I think it can lead to more big throws."
Neelly's recording-breaking throw ranks seventh in the NCAA this season and second in the Big 12. Prior to Saturday, Neelly stood at third in K-State outdoor history with his throw of 19.59m/64-03.25 set at last year's Texas Tech Corky/Crofoot Shootout.
The honor marks the second Big 12 Athlete of the Week award of Neelly's career, with the last coming on February 15, 2017. Neelly becomes the 11th men's recipient of the Big 12 Athlete of the Week honor and the first since Miles Bearden claimed the honor on May 10, 2017.
The best to ever do it #KStateTF
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 14, 2019
?? Brett Neelly's throw of 20.13m/66-00.50 breaks the 34-year old school record set by Andrew Gillam (19.69m/64-07.50) in 1985
?? First ?? to break 20 meters in the event, which he has done indoors & outdoors
?? Sixth-best toss in NCAA this year pic.twitter.com/esr0thw5zE
K-State has now claimed Big 12 Athlete of the Week honors in consecutive weeks, with Lauren Taubert winning the award a week ago for her 5,669-point heptathlon performance at the Jim Click Combined Events in Tucson, Arizona.
For a full recap of Neelly's record-setting performance at the Triton Invitational, click here. This weekend, K-State will be in action at the Michael Johnson Invitational in Waco, Texas on April 19-20.
For the latest on K-State track and field, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter using the hashtag #KStateTF or on the team's Facebook page.
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