Washington prep standouts take three of eight podium spots in weight as NCAA champs begin...
BOSTON--If the two-day NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships were a cycling event like the Tour de France, then's today's competition would be called a prologue.
Because of what happened at the TRACK at new balance two weeks ago during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship meet when several throwers hit the ceiling during the weight throw competition, the weight throw was contested as a stand-alone event Thursday night.
The weight throw was originally scheduled to be contested in the downstairs area adjacent to the warm up track at the New Balance complex, but after a number of throwers scraped the ceiling with their implements, the decision was made to hold the weight upstairs in the main track arena.
Ridgefield HS graduate Trey Knight (Paul Merca photo) of Cal State Northridge finished second with a throw of 79-2.5 (24.14m), after briefly going to the lead with a first round throw of 73-10.75 (22.52m).
However, Harvard's Kenneth Ikeji grabbed the lead in the second round, throwing 79-9.5 (24.32m) while being spurred on by the home crowd who made the trip across town to watch the reigning NCAA hammer champion try to add the weight throw title to his resume.
Behind Knight was Stevenson HS grad Garret Bernt, who gave Northern Arizona a kick start with his third place finish, throwing 75-9.25 (23.09m) in the fifth round.
Washington's Jayden White had a rough outing, opening up his series with two fouls, pulling the weight left of the sector.
On his third and potentially his final attempt, White managed to throw the weight down the middle, as it landed 72-11.25 (22.23m) to earn three more attempts. Unfortunately, the Everett HS grad could not improve, as he finished eighth overall.
Just missing a spot on the podium was Rainier HS grad Jeremiah Nubbe, who was ninth at 72-9.75 (22.19m).
The meet officially starts Friday at 9:30 am local time (6:30 am Pacific time) with the first events of the two-day heptathlon with Washington's Bruno Comin Pescador and Washington State's Mason Mahacek, as well as the pentathlon with Tahoma HS grad Alaina Brady of Notre Dame.
The NCAA Division I indoor championship meet will not be shown live on TV, but you can stream all events live online via WatchESPN+ (requires subscription).
NOTE: The NCAA and the media relations office of the University of Washington, Cal State Northridge, Northern Arizona, and Texas contributed to this report.
paulmerca.blogspot.com may receive a commission for any purchases made from links clicked. Please support this site and our sponsors by clicking on the links. You can also support the site by clicking the yellow "Buy Me A Coffee" link below.
Comments