Throwers Make Do with Winter Weather

March 21, 2010

NORMAN, Okla. – As unusual winter weather attempted to affect the first weekend of the NCAA outdoor track and field season, a group of throwers from the University of Oklahoma program made do with the conditions as javelin athletes competed in the first day of the regularly scheduled Tulsa Duels while the rest of the throwers avoided Saturday's weather by electing to compete in the Horned Frog Invitational in Forth Worth, Texas. As a result, four titles were won by the group, two at each location.

Already the program record holder in the event, Amy Backel returned to the javelin Friday in Tulsa after an injury sidelined her from the event in 2009. The 2008 All-American in the event responded well to the return in competition as she won the event with a throw of 168-3 (51.28), outdistancing her closest competitor by over eight feet.

Donning the Oklahoma uniform for the first time in their careers, freshman Justin Shirk and senior Chad Radgowski quickly made a name for themselves at OU as the duo finished first and second, respectively, while recording the second and third best throws in Oklahoma history. Shirk's toss of 214-1 (65.27) is the longest throw at OU since Cale Drumright's school record of 228-6 (68.64) in 2006. Radgowski followed Shirk with a top throw of 212-5 (64.76).

Originally slated to make her OU outdoor debut Saturday in Tulsa, Brittany Borman instead claimed her first title as a Sooner Saturday in Fort Worth as she won the discus at the Horned Frog Invitational. Borman's throw of 162-10 (49.63) is the fourth best in OU history as she held off teammate Karen Shump for the win. Shump's throw of 160-8 (48.97) is the fifth best in OU history.

Like Borman, Holden Mitchell was not affected by the last minute change of plans as he won the men's hammer throw in Fort Worth. Mitchell's effort of 178-10 (54.52) easily won the event by over 21 feet as the Bartlesville, Okla., native recorded the third-best throw in Oklahoma history.

Luke Bryant returned to the throws ring for the first time since competing in the NCAA Championships as a freshman and the now sophomore finished second in the discus Saturday with a top throw of 190-1 (57.94). K.P. Singh joined the Oklahoma historical performance list in the event as he took fourth with the 10th-best throw in OU history, 175-1 (53.37).

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