KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Indiana State junior Brandon Pounds broke a 19-year-old Indiana State record in the men's hammer throw as he won the event on the first day of the Auburn Tiger Classic Invitational Friday.
Pounds threw a personal best distance of 214-feet-4-inches (65.34 meters) to win the event and break the former record of Matt Quinn who had a distance of 209-feet-2-inches (63.76 meters) in 1993. The distance is currently the sixth best throw in the nation and moves Pounds to the top spot in the Valley.
This was the second time this season that Pounds has thrown a personal best after moving into second place on the all-time list with a distance of 208-feet-4-inches (63.49 meters) at the Big Blue Classic last weekend.
Troy junior Nicolo Bolla was a distant second (200-feet-4-inches) Kyle Kirby, competing unattached, was third (191-feet-9-inches). Sycamore sophomore Chris Field also established a personal best for the second straight week as he finished third at 174-feet-3-inches (53.12 meters). He had a throw of 173-feet-3-inches (52.81 meters) at the Big Blue Classic last weekend.
Indiana State senior Tara Perigo finished eighth in the women's javelin competition with a distance of 119-feet-9-inches (36.40 meters). Western Carolina sophomore Megan Morton won the event (141-feet-4-inches) with Wake Forest senior Sarah Brobeck second (133-feet-1-inch) and Western Carolina senior Summer Hughes third (131-feet-6-inches).
Sycamore sophomore Jordan Colanese placed 17th overall in the men's javelin with a distance of 159-feet-11-inches (48.75 meters). Coastal Carolina senior Jason Flanagan won the event (236-feet-6-inches) with Wake Forest junior Ben Lincoln second (228-feet-10-inches) and Troy senior Martins Pildays third (226-feet-9-inches).
Indiana State junior Mary Theisen established another personal best in the women's hammer throw as she placed 11th overall and the ninth collegian with a distance of 162-feet-8-inches (49.59 meters). ISU juniors Felisha Johnson and Kasey Kahle fouled on each of their first three throws. Kristin Smith of Throw1Deep was the overall winner (215-feet-5-inches) while the top collegian (and third overall) was Coastal Carolina senior Shantelle Patterson at 185-feet-6-inches.
The Tiger Classic resumes at 12:00 p.m. (ET) Saturday with competition in the pole vault, long jump, high jump, discus, and shot put. Track action begins at 12:30 p.m. (ET) with the 4x100 meter relay. Competition is expected to wrap up at 9:00 p.m. (ET).
