May 31, 2008
Results
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- -
Illinois State track and field senior Anton Walczak and senior Alex Straughn ended their respective seasons at the 2008 NCAA Mideast Region Track and Field Championships, held in Fayetteville, Ark, at the John McDonnell Field Saturday.
Competing in the hammer throw, Walczak placed 24th tossing the hammer a distance of 184 feet, 10 inches. The Carey, Ill., native ends his ISU track and field career as a 2008 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor All-Conference selection in the hammer and holds a career-best of 192-06 in the event.
ISU assistant coach Jeff Chakouian was pleased with Walczack's efforts.
"Anton was among some of the best throwers in the nation and was able to hold his own," said Chakouian."The throwing events in our region are by far the best out of all the others and the hammer throw is probably the most highly contested event. Anton had a solid throw today and it was a good way to cap off his season."
Straughn, a native of St. Philips, Barbados, ended his collegiate career in the triple jump with a distance of 43-03.25 to take 28th.
"Alex was trying to make nationals (NCAA National Championships)," said Tim Thompson assistant track and field coach. "In order for him to do that he was going to have to push the envelope and take chances. Unfortunately he couldn't get the performance he wanted, the last phase of his first jump was awkward and when he stepped down he got marked for the jump. Then on his other two attempts he fouled. He had nice big jumps, and barley fouled in his three attempts. He really pushed himself, but it just didn't go his way."
