RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan College freshman Anastas Papazov (Balchik, Bulgaria) was named Second Team All-American by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Friday. Papazov finished 16th in the hammer throw at last weekend's NCAA Outdoor Championships.
One of just three freshmen competing in the event, Papazov took 16th out of 24 participants with a best effort of 61.85 meters (202 feet, 11 inches).
Earlier this season, Papazov won the men's hammer throw Championship of America at the Penn Relays. He also won the event at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Outdoor Championships, as the Jaspers earned the team title.
This marks the second straight year in which Manhattan has had a Second Team All-America selection. Colin Quirke was named Second Team All-American in the discus in 2011. Papazov is the 25th First or Second Team All-America selection (both indoors and outdoors) in Dan Mecca's 20 years as Manhattan head coach.
All-American honors are earned based on an athlete's finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Those who place among the top eight in their event are named First Team All-American, while Second Place All-American honors go to the ninth thru 16th-place finishers. All remaining athletes who qualified for the NCAA Championships earned All-America honorable mention recognition.
