Press Release

Feb. 19, 2010

McKim Third Bearcat To Throw Shot 59 Feet

Results

WARRENSBURG, Mo.-Northwest Missouri State senior Ben McKim threw the shot put a career-best 59-feet-1.5-inches to win the event at the Central Missouri Classic Friday. McKim's toss is the second-best in program history and is currently third-best in the nation. Including the outdoor season, only two other Bearcats have ever reached 59 feet.

Eric Rickert placed fourth in the shot with a career-best mark of 54-feet-0.5-inches - eighth-best in program history and 19th best in the nation.

Tyler Shaw and Travis Manning finished second and third, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles. Shaw's time of 8.07s is one one-hundredth off his program record set last season. Manning ran a season-best 8.32s.

On the women's side, Emily Churchman competed in five events, won the long jump (18-feet-3.75-inches), set a season-best in the shot put (35-feet-2-inches) and a ran a career-best in the 60-meter hurdles (9.19s). She also ran the first leg of Northwest's winning 4x440-yard relay team.

Johanna Avilez finished third in the 60-meter hurdles with a career-best time of 9.10s, third-best in program history. Rachel Lewis placed third in the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.03s and Kate Walter took third in the weight throw with a throw of 51-feet-2.75-inches.

Bridget Klein won the 400-meter race with a season-best time of 58.89s. Jennifer Dittburner and Mary Jantz finished 2-3 in the 3,000-meter run. Dittburner's finishing time of 10:54.47 is a career-best.

Friday's meet served as a precursor for next week's MIAA championships hosted by Missouri Southern. Competition begins Feb. 26.