FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –ULM freshman Kyle Kent extended his inaugural collegiate campaign Friday evening after claiming the top spot and Regional Championship in the javelin at the NCAA Mideast Regional Meet in Fayetteville, Ark.
A Shreveport, La.-native and Warhawk freshman, Kent bested a field that included multiple ranked individuals and five from the Sun Belt Conference with a meet-long and personal record 71.16 meters on his first throw. Kent’s toss was nearly six meters better than his previous career high and was the longest in the 33-person field by a dominating nine feet.
Kent’s throw automatically qualifies him for NCAA Championships held in Des Moines, Iowa starting June 11.
“I am so happy for Kyle to come in and claim the championship as a freshman,” ULM head coach J.D. Malone said. “He has had an amazing freshman season and with his win today it will only continue. He is carrying on a great tradition of ULM track and field athletes.”
In the first completed event of the day, junior Destiny Montemayor finished 20th overall in the hammer throw with a toss of 53.43 meters – four meters shy of her career long. The top spot in the hammer was claimed by Akron’s Stevi Large – a throw of 61.79 meters.
Montemayor also competed in the discus throw and finished 25th overall with a toss of 44.01 meters.
Freshman Tommy Tumey also competed in the javelin at the meet, finishing 21st overall with a throw of 56.56 meters.
ULM’s lone remaining regional qualifier – junior Heather Davis – will wrap up the Warhawks weekend after competing in the high jump Saturday at 12 p.m.