Finley Takes Bronze at World University Games

Aug. 16, 2011

SHENZHEN, China – Kansas junior Mason Finley earned a bronze medal in the shot put at the World University Games Tuesday night, despite fighting a bout of food poisoning. Finley is the first Jayhawk to medal at the World University Games since Danielle McCray helped the women’s basketball team take home gold at the Belgrade Games in 2009.

Finley began the day by easily moving through the qualification rounds in the morning. He only needed one attempt, a throw of 18.92 meters (62-01.00 ft.), to move himself on to the final round of throws.

In the finals, the Salida, Colo., native improved on each of his first three attempts, peaking on his third throw, a toss of 19.72m (64-08.50 ft.). He quickly shot up the leaderboard into third place and, after fighting through food poisoning for much of the competition, Finley decided to pass on his final three attempts. He ended the day in third and took home the first international medal of his young career.

It was a close finish with the top three finishers’ throws separated by just eight inches. Jamaica’s O’Dayne Richard took the Gold while Russia’s Soslan Tsyrikhov grabbed silver. Both men are more than two-and-a-half years older than Finley, who will turn 21 in October. Finley’s bronze upped Team USA’s medal count to 18, which currently stands fifth in the overall standings.

The week is far from over for Finley, however. On Friday he will begin his quest for another medal when he competes in the discus throw. The event begins with the qualification rounds on Friday morning and concludes with the event final Sunday afternoon. Stay connected to kuathletics.com for results and updates from the KU student-athletes in Shenzhen.