Alex Young was the highest placing Lion to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The Tennessee native placed 10th in the men’s hammer throw.
The Lion’s Roar /Jay Love
Jonathan Kinchen placed in 14th to end his Southeastern career.
The Lion’s Roar /Jay Love
Misha Frazier was the lone Lady Lion to make it to the national competition. Frazier placed 17th in the women’s hammer throw.
The Lion’s Roar /Elizabeth Brown
Two Lions and one Lady Lion entered the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, three All-Americans returned to Hammond. Senior Jonathan Kinchen, junior Alex Young and junior Misha Frazier all placed high enough in the men’s and women’s hammer throw events to earn a spot as an All-American.
Both Kinchen and Young competed in the men’s hammer throw event last Wednesday. Amongst the top throwers in the nation, Young finished 10th place overall. The Nashville, Tennessee native tossed for 218 feet, two inches (66.5 meters) on his second attempt after fouling in his first throw. It was the second meet in a row that Young set a personal season-best for the hammer throw. Head track and field coach Sean Brady had nothing but praise for Young.
“Alex is a really unique student-athlete,” said Brady in an interview with lionsports.net.. “He not only excels in competition, but also in the classroom. He really dedicates himself academically, but when he steps into the ring, this beast of a competitor comes out.”
Kinchen, an ex-Lions football player turned track and field star, entered the meet as the Southland Conference hammer throw champion. The Ponchatoula native gradually tossed better with each attempt. Kinchen finished off his collegiate career with a throw of 212 feet, six inches (64.78 m). The throw was far enough to earn Kinchen 14th place and a spot as a second team All-American alongside Young.
Conor McCullough, a senior throwing for the University of Southern California, won the men’s hammer throw with a toss of 252 feet, four inches.
Southeastern continued to be represented in the NCAA Championships when Frazier stepped into the circle to compete in the women’s hammer throw. Frazier became the first Lady Lion to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championship since 2007.
Frazier tossed for a distance of 190 feet, three inches (57.99 meters) on her first throw, a mark that would become her best at the meet. The throw was enough to land the junior in 17th place, which also put her as an honorable mention All-American.
Junior thrower DeAnna Price of Southern Illinois was crowned the women’s hammer throw champion after tossing for 224 feet, two inches.
The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships cap off a season for the Lion’s track and field program that featured multiple first place finishes by the throwers. The Lions men throwers swept the throwing competitions at the Southland Conference Championships, while Frazier placed first in the women’s shot put. To stay updated on Lions track and field, visit lionsports.net.