Mason Finley Captures Second Place In Discus At 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships
June 9, 2010
Finley Claims Second Place in NCAA Discus
EUGENE, Ore. –
Kansas freshman Mason Finley collected a second place finish in the discus throw at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships Wednesday afternoon with a toss of 58.35 meters (191-05 ft.) here at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. By finishing in the top eight, Finley earned All-America honors for the second time in his young career.
Finley struggled initially, recording fouls on his first two throws. His first throw ricocheted off the cage, while he was cited for stepping out of the ring on his second throw.
“My first throw I was really nervous and I threw it in the cage,” said Finley, who hails from Salida, Colo. “On my second throw I fouled again and it was really frustrating.”
Despite the mounting pressure to get a mark and advance to finals, Finley was able get a throw, which ended up being his best throw of the day.
“On my third throw I relaxed,” said Finley. “I had to cut it a little short to guarantee I would get a mark. I was able to do that and it ended up being my best throw of the day. There was a little added pressure. I chose not to think about it and tried to simplify things as much as I could.”
Finley entered finals in the lead and maintained it through the first round. He recorded a mark of 58.22 meters (191 ft.). In the second round of throws in finals, Ryan Whiting of Arizona State took over the lead with his toss of 59.06 meters (192-09 ft.) Finley had two opportunities to regain the lead, but was unable to get marks on either of his final two attempts.
“On my first throw in finals I was able to relax and I got another solid throw,” said Finley. “On my last two throws, I had been pushed out of the lead and I rushed my throws a little.”
Finley’s second place finish gave the Jayhawks eight team points on the first day of action.
“It is nice to finish second, but obviously I wish I would have gotten first,” said Finley. “I could have gotten first if I would have done my best, but I still have three more years to do that.”
Finley’s KU teammate Brian Bishop finished 15th in the discus with his mark of 53.55 meters (175-08 ft.). Bishop did not advance to finals.
Also competing on Wednesday afternoon for KU was freshman Kyle Clemons in the 400 meters. Clemons turned in a time of 47.73, but did not advance to finals.
KU will return to action at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday afternoon as junior Jordan Scott will compete in the pole vault and freshman Andrea Geubelle will participate in the triple jump at 4 p.m. (PT).
Day 1 Agate — Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Hayward Field – Eugene, Oregon– June 9-12, 2010
KANSAS RESULTS ONLY
Men’s Discus Throw
2. Mason Finley, 58.35 meters (191-05 ft.)
15. Brian Bishop, 53.55 meters (175-08 ft.)
400 Meters
23. Kyle Clemons, 47.73
