COMPLETE RESULTS
STORIES: THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Southeastern Louisiana senior Adonson Shallow won the discus competition at the East Preliminary Round Saturday at Irwin Belk Track, advancing to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in a third event. He already earned spots in hammer throw Thursday and shot put Friday. Shallow will attempt to win national titles June 9-12 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines native entered the discus event ranked fifth nationally, and first among throwers in the eastern region. After fouling on his first attempt, Shallow took over first place on his second throw and never looked back, thanks to a throw marked at 182 feet, 6 inches (55.64 meters). He improved upon that with his third throw, which traveled 187 feet, 1 inch (57.02 meters).
He could not top that on his final three tries, but still stayed on top, as the closest competitor was nearly five feet behind Shallow's top mark. Central Michigan senior Greg Pilling was the runner-up at 182 feet, 3 inches (55.57 meters).
“A guy like (Shallow) just doesn't come around very often,” head coach Sean Brady said. “He went out and made a show of it Saturday. He was the number one seed coming in, and put it away pretty early. The conditions weren't favorable for good discus throws. There wasn't any wind. It was just still and muggy. He still overpowered the field.”
Shallow's feat of qualifying for the national meet in discus, hammer throw and shot put was matched by only one other student-athlete. Arizona State's Justin Lewis pulled off the same three-for-three weekend at the West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
“If things go well, this week's performance would predict that he'll score in all three events at nationals,” Brady said. “He represented our university well, as he has all year. We're going into Oregon with a one man gang, and he may be able to put us in the top 25 or 30 by himself. That's how good he is.”
The Southeastern men's 4x100 relay squad finished in 22nd place, completing the race in 40.84 seconds. Freshman Malcolm Carter, junior Shannon Grover, senior Rocky Caruth and junior Jerel Butler teamed up. Grover ran despite an injury suffered in Thursday's 100 meter dash, which he also fought through in Friday's 200 meter dash.
Junior Michael Rheams took part in the triple jump Saturday, but was unable to register a mark, fouling on all three attempts.
“It has been a very successful season in a lot of ways,” Brady said. “We fought some adversity throughout the year. There are just some things you can't control, but we did a good job with the things we could control. I'm pleased and happy for our guys. We got to see at least half of best people in the country at regionals. It was a great experience and the next time around, we'll be even more prepared.”
