Whitworth's Andrew Bloom shines again at season-opening Ed Boitano Invitational...
TACOMA—As he did last year, Whitworth’s Andrew Bloom (left/photo by Paul Merca) put the NCAA Division III field on notice, as he looks to reclaim the national championship in that event that he won in 2016, as he threw 220-11 (67.35m) to win the javelin at the season-opening Ed Boitano Invitational hosted by the University of Puget Sound Saturday at Baker Stadium.
Bloom, who was third at last year’s NCAA D3 championships, found himself in second behind Saint Martin’s Brian Chalkley after the first three rounds, as Chalkey, an NCAA D2 qualifier last year for the Saints threw a personal best 213-11 (65.20m) in the opening round, and followed it up with a toss of 213-6 (65.09m) in round 2.
The Whitworth senior, who won this event at last year's Boitano meet, took care of business in the fourth round on a sunny yet cool afternoon, throwing 220-11 (67.35m), as Chalkley could not respond.
That mark gave Bloom the national lead in the javelin among Division III competitors so far this season.
On the women’s side, the top mark of the day belonged to Western Washington’s Anna Paradee, who won the pole vault with a clearance of 12-3.5 (3.75m). Her mark is the early Division II national leader.
The Ed Boitano meet was the outdoor season opener for Saint Martin’s, Central Washington, Western Washington, Seattle Pacific, Whitworth, and host Puget Sound.
Whitworth swept both the men’s and women’s team competitions, scoring 203 on the mens’ side ahead of second place Western Washington’s 134.5, and 180 in the women’s team race, ahead of Western Washington’s 134.
NOTE: The University of Puget Sound contributed to this report.
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