FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Senior Evan Stork advanced to the NCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships after placing 11th in the men's hammer at the NCAA West Preliminary at Arkansas on Wednesday.
Competing in the third flight of the day, Stork fouled on his first attempt. He then moved into 17th place with a throw of 207-02 following his second throw. Needing a distance of at least 213-03 on his final try, Stork unleashed a throw of 213-03 to claim one of the 12 berths to the NCAA Div. I Outdoor Championships which will take place at Oregon on June 8-11.
"Going into the final round I knew that it was either going to be my last throw or I was moving on," Stork said. "It had been dry through the first two rounds but started to sprinkle early in the third round. Once I got in the ring it started to rain and then turned to a downpour as soon as I threw. Once it left my hand I knew it was a good throw, I was just hoping it was going to be enough."
The graduate student becomes the first Hornet male to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the hammer since Geoff Fong in 2005. This season, Stork has set the school record with an attempt of 219-09 at the Sacramento State Invitational. He most recently won the Big Sky title in the event for the second consecutive year.
