EUGENE, Ore. – Southeastern Louisiana senior Adonson Shallowfinished fourth in the discus competition at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Wednesday at Hayward Field. By finishing in the top eight, he earned All-American status in the event.
Shallow got out to a fast start, putting himself in first place after the initial rotation, launching the implement 185 feet, 3.45 inches (56.6 meters). That would hold up as his best throw of the day, and three student-athletes eventually passed him.
Arizona State senior Ryan Whiting won with a toss of 193 feet, 9 inches (59.06 meters), just past second place finisher freshman Mason Finley of Kansas, who registered a throw of 191 feet, 5 inches (58.35 meters). Third place went to Texas Tech freshman Julian Wruck at 190 feet, 5 inches (58.03 meters).
Shallow is the 27th All-American in Southeastern track and field history, and the ninth since the Lions moved up to Division I status. The most recent honoree before this season was javelin thrower Curtis Moss, who accomplished the feat in 2007.
“Of all the awards I’ve won, being an All-American tops them all,” Shallow said. “I’m trying to do it three times this week, and I still have two more events to go. It wasn’t my best discus throw, but I’m satisfied with it. The conditions weren’t great, but we all had to deal with the same things.”
Thursday is open on Shallow’s schedule. He’ll return to action Friday at 6 p.m. CDT in hammer throw. Saturday brings shot put at 11:40 a.m. CDT.Live results and video streaming will be available from LionSports.net.
“We still have two more days of competition left, so no one’s relaxing,” assistant coach Brian Mondschein said. “Performing well on the first day always helps. It takes a lot of the pressure off. After that first throw, we knew he would be an All-American.”
With only one event complete, the Lions stand fourth in the nation with five points. The Sun Devils rank first (12 points), ahead of the Jayhawks (eight) and Red Raiders (six).
“It was a great start to the meet for Adonson and Southeastern,” head coach Sean Brady said. “The conditions were absolutely miserable. It was raining, really windy, overcast and cold. Not a great day to throw, but he did very well.”
Shallow’s All-American effort at the national meet is the latest in a long list of awards for this season. Last week, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named him the South Central Region Field Athlete of the Year. Earlier, he claimed Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year honors after finishing as the top individual point getter at the league’s championship meet in Arlington, Texas.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines native is Southeastern’s record holder in three events. His top discus throw traveled 196 feet, 1 inch (59.77 meters), at this year’s Northwestern State Invitational. The top hammer throw occurred at the same meet, flying 220 feet, 1 inch (67.7 meters). His preeminent shot put heave came during the NCAA East Preliminary Round two weeks ago, going 60 feet, 11.25 inches (18.57 meters).
