McNeil places eighth in hammer throw at NCAAs
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Rich McNeil ’10 makes his third trip to the NCAA Championships on Thursday. (Photo by Tom Leonard ’78) |
MARIETTA, Ohio — Bates College junior Rich McNeil finished eighth in the hammer throw on Thursday at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, earning the second All-America honor of his career.
McNeil (Lawrence, Mass.) reached his top distance, 52.72 meters (172 feet and 11 inches) on his final throw of the day, which moved him ahead of Carthage College senior Jon Kochmit for eighth place and the final All-America award. McNeil was the ninth and final thrower out of 17 original competitors to reach the finals, thanks to his first throw of the day, a 52.20-meter one.
It is the second career All-America award for McNeil, who won his first a year ago by placing fifth in the hammer.
McNeil earned a team point for the Bates men’s track and field team, which is now finished for the year and last had a USTFCCCA Division III ranking of No. 20 nationally.
McNeil was the 10th seed in the 17-man field, with a top throw this season of 55.22 meters (181-2) last weekend at the ECAC Division III Championships at Springfield College. He missed the entire indoor season this year with a foot injury.