By: by KSU Sports Information
Live Results
DES MOINES, Iowa- Competing as the only male representative from the Atlantic Sun Conference, senior Kennesaw State track and field athlete Josh McNair made his final shot put throws at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships Friday night. Qualifying two weeks ago at East Region Preliminaries, McNair was one of 24 athletes vying for the national shot put champion crown.
"I am very pleased with the job that Josh has done this year," head track and field coach Andy Eggerth said. "Its great for him to cap off his year with a top 20 finish in the nation. This is the highest finish that any KSU athlete has had in outdoor track. Coach Morris did a great job with Josh this year as he guided him to breaking the school record three times and his previous best by over two feet at the East Preliminary Round."
After making it to the semifinals at prelims last season, McNair was able to get over the hump and make it to Iowa to compete against some of the top throwers in the country. McNair threw a top distance of 16.80 meters or 55 feet 1.50 inches. His top throw was good enough for 20th and All-American Honorable Mention.
Capping off a stellar season at Nationals, McNair etched his name into the record books at Kennesaw State several times this season. Already holding the shot put record, he broke it three different times with the most recent being a few weeks ago at the NCAA East Region Prelims in Indiana. His throw of 17.85 meters helped him make it to today’s competition and was a vast improvements from where he started only a few years ago.
During McNair's freshman season, he was only able to throw the shot put on average 11 meters or 37 feet. Through his time at Kennesaw State, he was able to improve that distance by six meters, finishing with a top record of 17.85 meters or over 58 feet.
Competing in three different field events at the A-Sun Outdoor Conference Championships, McNair earned three All-Conference awards for his role in the shot put, hammer and discus. He finished first in discus, second in shot put and third in hammer.
Adding those three All-Conference nods to the mix, McNair finishes his Kennesaw State career with 17 total All-Conference awards. He won his first award in 2007 in weight throw at the A-Sun Indoor Track and Field Championships.
McNair performance today wraps up the track and field season for the Owls. ON the men’s side, they saw back-to-back A-Sun Outdoor Championships, easily defeating ETSU. This season also saw 13 men’s track and field athletes win All-Conference with many multiple winners.
