Kansas State University Athletics
Wednesday, May 24
Sacramento, Calif.
12 p.m.
Kansas State University
at
NCAA West Preliminary
McCall Punches Ticket to NCAA Championships
May 24, 2023 | Track & Field
Events start at 12 p.m. CT, tomorrow with the women's hammer throw
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Kade McCall claimed a spot in the men's hammer throw at the NCAA Championships for the second straight year on Wednesday (May 24) to highlight the K-State track and field teams on the first day of the NCAA West Preliminary at Hornet Stadium.
McCall finished eighth in the hammer throw with his second throw of 68.94m/226-2, only 3 centimeters away from his current personal best and school record.
"Kade performed very well in what turned out to be a very competitive and close competition for the top-12 spots," assistant coach Greg Watson said. "He kept great composure after a foul in the first round and executed two very nice throws after that."
In addition to McCall's performance, junior Hadley Splechter advanced to the men's 1,500 meter quarterfinal round against 23 other competitors on Friday (May 26) at 7:15 p.m., CT with a fourth-place finish in heat 2 with a time of 3:50.35. Teammate and senior Stephen Kielhofner also competed in the 1,500 meters, taking 10th place in the first heat with a time of 3:48.21, to conclude his college career.
Also on the track, junior Kyle Gale finished 28th in the men's 400 meter dash in 46.32 seconds.
Junior Joe Placek competed in the men's javelin throw with a distance of 59.31m/194-7, placing 37th. Other competitors in field events included freshman Jhavor Bennett in his first NCAA meet with a distance of 6.95m/22-9.75 (+0.9) in the men's long jump, finishing 42nd.
Junior Jesse Pinkley finished off the night clearing a height of 5.05m/16-6.75 to place 29th in the men's pole vault.
Events on Thursday (May 25) start with the women's hammer throw at 12 p.m., CT with junior Emma Robbins and sophomore Monique Hardy competing.
NCAA West Preliminary
Hornet Stadium
Sacramento, Calif.
Men's Hammer Throw
8. Kade McCall, 68.94m/226-2*
Men's Javelin Throw
37. Joe Placek, 59.31m/194-7
Men's 1,500 Meters
31. Stephen Kielhofner, 3:48.21
37. Hadley Splechter, 3:50.35*
Men's 400 Meter Dash
28. Kyle Gale, 46.32
Men's Long Jump
42. Jhavor Bennett, 6.95m/22-9.75 (+0.9)
Men's Pole Vault
29. Jesse Pinkley, 5.05m/16-6.75
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
McCall finished eighth in the hammer throw with his second throw of 68.94m/226-2, only 3 centimeters away from his current personal best and school record.
"Kade performed very well in what turned out to be a very competitive and close competition for the top-12 spots," assistant coach Greg Watson said. "He kept great composure after a foul in the first round and executed two very nice throws after that."
In addition to McCall's performance, junior Hadley Splechter advanced to the men's 1,500 meter quarterfinal round against 23 other competitors on Friday (May 26) at 7:15 p.m., CT with a fourth-place finish in heat 2 with a time of 3:50.35. Teammate and senior Stephen Kielhofner also competed in the 1,500 meters, taking 10th place in the first heat with a time of 3:48.21, to conclude his college career.
Also on the track, junior Kyle Gale finished 28th in the men's 400 meter dash in 46.32 seconds.
Junior Joe Placek competed in the men's javelin throw with a distance of 59.31m/194-7, placing 37th. Other competitors in field events included freshman Jhavor Bennett in his first NCAA meet with a distance of 6.95m/22-9.75 (+0.9) in the men's long jump, finishing 42nd.
Junior Jesse Pinkley finished off the night clearing a height of 5.05m/16-6.75 to place 29th in the men's pole vault.
Events on Thursday (May 25) start with the women's hammer throw at 12 p.m., CT with junior Emma Robbins and sophomore Monique Hardy competing.
NCAA West Preliminary
Hornet Stadium
Sacramento, Calif.
Men's Hammer Throw
8. Kade McCall, 68.94m/226-2*
Men's Javelin Throw
37. Joe Placek, 59.31m/194-7
Men's 1,500 Meters
31. Stephen Kielhofner, 3:48.21
37. Hadley Splechter, 3:50.35*
Men's 400 Meter Dash
28. Kyle Gale, 46.32
Men's Long Jump
42. Jhavor Bennett, 6.95m/22-9.75 (+0.9)
Men's Pole Vault
29. Jesse Pinkley, 5.05m/16-6.75
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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