BRADENTON, Fla. – Senior Caleb Bartlett capped off his collegiate career with a flourish on Thursday, improving his own school record in the hammer throw and placing sixth at the 2017 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships to become the first All-America hammer thrower in school history.
 
Bartlett improved 10 places upon his No. 16 championship seed, posting a top mark of 204 feet, 2 inches (62.23 meters). That throw, on his fifth attempt, traveled deep into the left side of the sector to give him a PR in his final meet and an improvement to his own school record of more than three feet (200 feet, 6 inches [61.11 meters], achieved last season).
 
To reach the finals, Bartlett recorded a season best on his first throw of the competition – 199 feet, 2 inches (60.72 meters) that ranked eighth among the 20 throwers (nine qualify for finals). His second throw was also a strong effort, traveling 195 feet, 10 inches (59.70 meters).
 
Bartlett was making his second NCAA Championships appearance on Thursday and finishes his career with two All-America performances in two years. He earned All-America Second Team honors last season with a 10th-place finish.
 
On Friday, junior Bryan Pearson will be SU's lone competitor at the national championships, taking to the discus circle for a 5 p.m. start.

Hammer
6. Caleb Bartlett 204' 2" (62.23m)