Complete Results
Day One Recap
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Needing to finish in the top 12 at the NCAA East Preliminary to earn a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Manhattan College's Anastas Papazov (Balchik, Bulgaria) did just that on Friday morning at the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium. Papazov uncorked a best effort of 64.73 meters (212 feet, four inches) to place sixth in the hammer throw and punch his ticket to the National Championships.
After a foul on his first attempt, Papazov moved into 15th place (the top 16 received an additional three throws) with a 61.16 m (200'8) effort on his second throw. Papazov then improved his mark to 62.97 m (206'7), putting him in ninth place going into the final three throws. His best throw came in the fourth round, moving Papazov up even further and securing his place at Nationals.
This marks the second straight year in which Manhattan will be represented at the NCAA Championships. Colin Quirke qualified in the discus last season. Papazov is the first Jasper to reach Nationals in the hammer throw since Seid Mujanovic in 2009.
A total of 24 competitors (the top 12 at both the East and West Preliminary Rounds) qualified for the NCAA Championships, which will be held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 6-9. The men's hammer throw is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on Friday, June 8. The top 16 finishers at the NCAA Championships will earn All-America status in their event.
